Rafael Alejandro

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

Puerto Rico | Wednesday, August 24, 2011 | 5 photos

This is me. This is what I do. This is what I love. I've always dreamt of becoming a National Geographic photographer. It is what I aspire for. I do not see myself doing anything else in my life. To travel and explore new countries, see new faces, experience new cultures, acknowledge the world around me, interact with wild animals... all this with my camera in hand to collect everything, to keep it always with me and show the world - share the beauty that surrounds us, make them see, make them feel. Animals are simply amazing to me. At some point I even think I love animals more than mankind. As a photographer I want to embrace the essence of their beauty and create consciousness of the dangers any of the animals I photograph could go through - all with just one photo. These pictures represent me, not only as a human being, but also as a photographer, as an artist. I believe that every picture portraits a story, that's what I want to do. This is what I was meant for. I am sure of it.

I plan on taking a lot a lot this scholarship. I am aware that this is a life changing experience, a once in a lifetime shot. This will change the way I see the world. This will change the way I see photography. And I want it. This will help me grow and i want everyone to grow along with me. I want to even teach young photographers, like me, what I learn in this program, pay it forward. I want to share with the world what I learn, give back all the knowledge I collect with this. I want to inspire people to live, to breathe, to explore. I will change people's lives. And that is exactly what I will do.