Change in the Wind, Isla Bastimentos, Panama

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

Worldwide | Tuesday, November 8, 2011 | 5 photos

I was raised in the Appalachian foothills of rural Maine, before returning to my birthplace of western Montana when I was 20. I now reside in Seattle, where I recently completed my MBA in sustainable business at the Bainbridge Graduate Institute. In between, I backpacked for two years across a diverse spectrum of topographic realms and ecosystems, exploring over 35 countries. My parents instilled in me a love of the outdoors and a passion for the arts, but a lack of confidence held me back from fully jumping into the realm of my passions. Now it is time. I aspire to take my photography and writing to the next level and would love to more fully understand the complexities of digital photography (I learned on film), speedlight use and approaching other cultures in a non-invasive manner. The photos in this series were originally taken with the intent to write and photograph a story about the people and landscape of Isla Bastimentos off the Caribbean coast of Panama. I wanted to bring to light the simple, beautiful culture of this island, as when I visited there were no roads, no resorts and very few tourists. I learned, however, that this would change: a huge new resort on a pristine beaches was in the works. Sadly, I never wrote the story. This speaks to why I should win - and what my life has become dedicated to: using my photography to help preserve endangered cultures and ecosystems. It is my dream and passion to become a professional photographer and writer, specifically focusing on human rights, environmental and social justice issues. I know I can create stunning, thought-provoking images - but to me this is no longer important - unless I can change lives and affect positive change.