Haleakala Crater NatGeo/WN 2013 Scholarship Entry

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

USA | Saturday, January 12, 2013 | flickr photos

I am passionate about capturing stunning photographs that preserve inspirational people, places and stories. I hope to inspire people to care about the world and understand the impact of their choices in a creative positive way.

I grew up in the remote mountains of the Big Island far away from everything. I have spent most of my career as a PADI Dive Instructor and Humpback Whale Naturalist. I studied Tropical Marine Biology at the University of Queensland, Australia. I was the first student from my high school to go to college in another country.

The international application process was not easy and I almost gave up. It actually came down to one single day. That day I checked my email and got my student visa approved on the last possible day I could leave. That same day I flew to Brisbane.

That was 10 years ago and only the beginning of my journey. I have really enjoyed working in tourism because I get to share my passion with every day people while they are experiencing the true beauty of the ocean. Photojournalism has great appeal to me because of the potential for exponentially increased exposure of important topics, and I am ready to take my passion to the next level.