The Children of San Miguel Duenas, Guatemala

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Guatemala | Saturday, October 16, 2010 | flickr photos

A couple years ago I journeyed to Peru, new dSLR in tow, to try my hand at travel photography. On a carefully designed four month “internship,” I planned to learn and practice photography, and determine if this was my path to pursue. I had worked as an architect for several years, yet the aspiration to be a photographer had never evaporated and it was time to acknowledge this persistent desire.

After a few weeks of experimenting around Cusco, I headed off on my first self-assignment: a bridge building ceremony in the remotest of communities. On my initial day of shooting, I knew I had found my passion. Though I always wasn’t quite sure what I was doing, I was learning with each shot.

The internship was more successful than I could have hoped. I returned home with thousands of photos, and found several winners among them. I had pushed my existing photographic knowledge to its limit, and realized how much I needed to learn. I spent the next several months reading books, taking pictures, and studying photographs, until again I neared the boundary of what I could learn on my own.

I stand at a point where I need direction and mentorship. I need the experience of working with a professional in the field and of learning how to approach and execute an assignment. I need guidance on how to further develop my viewpoint and style. And in Bhutan, I hope to learn how to capture the best images while working under professional pressures.

My desire is to be a travel and culture photographer, focusing on threatened cultures and endangered environments as well as the work of international humanitarian organizations. I wish to document and help raise awareness of global issues, and attempt to promote change through my photography.