Okinawa's Base Issues

My Scholarship entry - Nuchidu takara / Life is a treasure

Japan | Saturday, November 22, 2014 | 5 photos

Living in a new country, unable to speak the language and struggling to make local friends, I often found myself alone. To keep myself sane I started capturing the beautiful moments I saw in every day life. It helped me to connect with the people around me, share my experiences and breakdown the walls of miscommunication.

My photos in Okinawa reflect my journey. I can see my transition from an outside observer to a participant in the community. As I've become more involved in local life, my photos have improved and started to tell deeper stories. I feel that I can really connect with people through photography. Now, I don't go anywhere without my camera.

As a child my favorite TV program was Intrepid Journeys, a show where New Zealand celebrities travel to exotic places around the world. I was fascinated by the destinations and adventures. My dream job was to be the host of the show and explore the world. This scholarship is a chance for me learn some formal photography skills, and gain the experience needed to make this dream a reality. I would love to "live the dream" and work for a magazine like National Geographic, and this scholarship is a huge step in the right direction.