In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Sacramento State Library will feature the work of Sacramento Bee photographer Hector Amezcua now through Oct. 15. The event is one of many organized by Sac State to honor achievements in the Hispanic community.

The artist?s show, titled “Reflections,” will show “out-take” photos from “Americanos Project,” a book the photographer worked on with actor Edward James Olmos.

An artists? reception, with music by Gardenia Azul, will be held tomorrow in Serna Plaza at 4 p.m. for Amezcua?s work as well as his sister Blanca?s art exhibit “Asphalt Jungle Assemblages.”

Since graduating from Fresno State with a degree in Journalism and Chicano studies, Amezcua was a photographer for The Modesto Bee and The Fresno Bee before settling with his family in Sacramento.

The possibility of a career in photography came to Hector Amezcua in his college days when he took a photo of a family whose house was struck by a tornado. When people saw the photo in a local Hispanic newspaper, relief groups formed to help the tornado victims.

“I was like, wow, I didn?t know [photography] could be like this,” Amezcua said. “With photography you can go into people?s lives like nothing else.”

Amezcua has won awards from the California Newspaper Publishers Association and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, among others. His work has taken him from ghetto streets to the NBA hardwood, but photographing the Hispanic community and showing people its positive side is something he feels very passionate about.

“Sometimes it?s nice to just take a moment to look, to reflect on life and where you are at,” Amezcua said. “Maybe bring a smile to someone?s face.”