My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

jessbenjamin — Tue, 8 Jan 2013 12:15:00 GMT

There is rarely a time when I am without my camera. I’ve come to think of it as an extension of myself, an additional sense by which I can interact with and experience the world. I am drawn to photography for its ability to tell a story. Alone, a photograph is a window into a moment; together, a series of photographs becomes a powerful narrative, with the ability to crystallize even the seemingly mundane moments in life into something extraordinary.

Although it’s not necessary to travel far and wide to tell a good story, I have been fortunate to do this, exploring Tibet, Nepal, and India after college. I was completely captivated by this experience, which deeply affirmed my desire to bear witness to the world through photography. From the National Geographic scholarship, I seek the courage to pursue this dream and the impetus to transform it into a sustainable way of life.

I often think about the photos that I didn’t take as much as the ones I did. This scholarship, and the chance to study with Jason Edwards, is an opportunity I will not pass up. It is a lifelong dream of mine to make a profession of traveling the world with a camera, and I am ready to take the first step.

Swe Nunnery, Tibet: Living Together At The Top Of The World

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited