Anna Elmira

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

Panama | Saturday, January 12, 2013 | flickr photos

I'm Anna and I'm from Ontario! At thirteen, I received my first film camera when my family and I lived in South Africa. With camera in hand and eyes widened to a new world, I knew I wanted to keep exploring..

While studying psychology and art, traveling extensively, and working in the field of mental health, I’ve gained the most insight from just simply being with people. Photography has been my favorite medium in which to explore and understand environment and people in a raw and creative way. Whether it be through the vulnerability of a person, or through the tale that an old building can tell, I aim to tell stories through my work that will open eyes to the 'truth of what we see in photographs'.

I imagine myself creating an arts and photography program for children/youth living in poverty or experiencing challenges in mental health or physical disabilities. I hope to explore photojournalism more through this process while maintaining the empathy needed to remain sensitive to human need as I travel and photograph. For me, going to Oman would mean the chance to weave together my love for traveling, exploring, photography, and working with people into a tangible learning experience. It would honestly be the most amazing gift! Thank you for the opportunity.