Semaj graduated from Taft in 2014. At Taft, he excelled as an All-League senior football captain, All-League track and field athlete, and contributed to a championship team. Semaj discovered his interest in photography during his senior year of high school, but it wasn’t until his sophomore year of college that he found it to be his true passion. He attended Trinity College, graduating with a BS in psychology. Throughout his four years as an undergraduate, Semaj was nominated as an All-League NESCAC linebacker and was part of two championship teams. Beyond the field, Semaj studied photography under RISD alum, Andrew Wertz, and participated in a photography mentorship program during his junior year abroad in Trinidad and Tobago. In Trinidad, Semaj also held his first solo exhibition.

After obtaining his undergraduate degree, Semaj started working at AOF and pursued his MFA at Lesley University with a concentration in photography. He graduated from Lesley University in 2022 and received the Lesley University Art and Design Rising Artist Award. Throughout his career as a visual artist and educator, Semaj has been published multiple times in photography publications such as Lenscratch, LensCulture, F-Stop Magazine, Ellements Magazine, Moevir Magazine, and more. In addition to publications, Semaj’s work has been represented in galleries and exhibitions throughout the United States and internationally.

Semaj taught at AOF for six years and enjoys working with high school students. He was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the AOF football team. In the classroom, his students have received acknowledgment for their artwork and achieved high honors in CT Scholastic Awards, Drexel University High School Photography Competition, and more. As an educator, Semaj’s ultimate goal is for students to find an outlet to express themselves through the visual arts. He posits that art serves as an unparalleled language through which humanity can effectively communicate in moments where verbal expression proves inadequate. In a psychological way, he believes photography can open you up to discover more about yourself and your interests.