African Hardships

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

Worldwide | Tuesday, November 8, 2011 | 5 photos

The people of Africa are an inspiration to us all. Through the many hardships that they face, including lack of food and proper medicine, they have always managed to experience life with a smile on their face and love in their hearts. With my work I tried to capture this spirit. Even though they have suffered so much, they can still come out shining, reminding the rest of the world that there is hope.

I have always loved creating art from photographs, and telling a story with the pictures I take. I see the joy it brings people and that in turn brings me joy. While at an orphanage in Kenya, I let the kids take control of my camera, and I saw how happy it made them. They were free spirits at that moment, forgetting their troubles and instead capturing their friends in silly poses that reminded me that no matter where you are or where you come from, we are all, in some way, the same.

Photos are a part of life, and for better or worse, they make you feel something raw and powerful. I want to be a part of that every day. I want to see a child laugh at a picture of himself, or an adult look on in awe at the wonders of nature.

This scholarship would be a life changing experience for me. As a writer, I am used to telling people's stories using words, not images. This would be an amazing challenge for me, and a chance to perhaps change a few other peoples lives. Wherever I go, I love interacting with the local people, hearing their stories and learning more about who they are.

I hope that by submitting my entry to this competition, I can show people that black or white, rich or poor, we are all the same. Creatures looking for love and acceptance, enjoying the little things, and finding beauty where we can.

Stories need to be told, and I hope I can be the one to tell them..