A Journey Imagined

My Scholarship entry - Crossroads

Guatemala | Tuesday, November 18, 2014 | flickr photos

The love affair began at age 12 with a cheap point & shoot. Looking back those snap shots weren’t anything special, but at the time they were everything. It was then that I forged a bond with photography that would never be broken.

I am a bit of a dinosaur these days as I don’t own any hand held “devices of distraction.” I choose instead to observe and absorb the world around me. With this cavalier attitude I’ve been learning digital photography through trial and error. I believe my time is best spent searching for the next interesting point of view rather than trying to create one with software.

A recent trip to Peru profoundly changed everything I thought I knew about where I am in my life. I came home with the realization it's time for change. If ever there was a sign that my head and heart are now going in the right direction, this Scholarship is it! I have always believed in the dreams of that 12 year old and becoming a successful photojournalist, but know I still need guidance to help propel me to the next level. In addition, exploring the Amazon will allow me to educate people to see the value in preserving it’s precious ecosystem as every life matters to another.