People of Peru

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

Peru | Wednesday, January 2, 2013 | 5 photos

My name is Erin Rispin; I am from a small town called Vernon, B.C. Canada. Two years ago, I graduated from a diploma photography program at a local arts college, since then I have been half-heartedly pursuing a photography career. I felt stunted and uninspired; only doing photo sessions here and there, for free and I never had enough work to be considered a professional. I was discouraged, knowing that I didn’t want to spend my life as Vernon’s go-to photographer for portraits and weddings. I could see myself becoming the photographic, equivalent of Adam Sandler’s “Wedding Singer”.
This all changed when I had the privilege of travelling to Peru. I have always been fascinated by other cultures and I came back to Canada wanting to pursue a travel photography career. My trip showed me that photography is so much more than the subject you are capturing. It’s about catching your subject powerfully enough to illicit compassion, understanding and hopefully tolerance for how another being lives their life. I want to take photos that inspire and motivate others to leave their own continent and help them experience something other than their own small town.
All it takes, is one photo.