Local Encounters

Photos: My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

lain — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 16:17:00 GMT

My passion for life comes from the lens. It is my driving force to find beauty in anything. I want to share stories and photos from places that people may never have the opportunity to see or hear about. I am an amateur photographer and pretty much self taught. My love for travel photography started when I took a trip to Haiti. When I hiked two hours up a mountain to a remote village that is when I realized my photos could do more than tell a story. Since then I had the opportunity to live in Asia for a year; that experience was life changing and fueled my drive for photography. From that moment I knew what I wanted to do in life. My belief is that you can learn something new everyday. Photography inspires me to learn more. This opportunity will help me learn to dig deeper into a story and capture the image that is worth 1000 words. Refining my skills in shooting in the field, not fixing it in post or shooting it twice are what push me to get a better shot. Making an emotional connection with no words and only an image challenges me. I strive for a better shot because one day I want my photo to go deeper than the story, ignite a cause and maybe even help change a life.

Photos: Local Encounters

lain — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:38:00 GMT

Photos: Haiti

lain — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:12:00 GMT

Documentary Scholarship 2011 entry

lain — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:06:50 GMT

The subject of this video inspired me because it showed me how one person can make a difference in someone’s life. With all the combinations of small acts it can create a bigger movement. It was the first time I really went out in the Philippines and experienced local culture.

I am currently living in the Philippines pursuing my career as film maker. I moved out here for an internship with a production company but I quickly realized that the subject of Fashion Reality TV is not what I wanted to cover. I wanted to make documentaries. I have interned at many places but I have never had the opportunity to be mentored and especially in documentary.

This scholarship means so much to me because I will have a chance to meet amazing people and not only will they influence me but hopefully I will influence them. I will also be able to work one on one with a mentor who can give me feedback about my work. I truly believe you learn something new every day and you never stop learning. It will also help me with my confidence in my work and to gain true field experience.