A Journey into Laos

My Scholarship entry - Raz Al Jinz Turtle Reserve

Oman | Sunday, November 23, 2014 | 5 photos

Growing up I was the shy kid, a wallflower who struggled to find my voice an infinite sea of chatter. I was in awe of people who communicated effortlessly, how they engaged everyone with their stories, no matter the content. This notion of storytelling both fascinated and frustrated me: fascinated because it allowed people to connect, feel inspired and engage with their world; frustrated due to an ongoing battle I had articulating my own experiences aloud.
That changed when I turned 14 and was given a camera to document school events. Behind the lens, my frustration with storytelling dissipated. Photography somehow allowed me to communicate the way I experienced the world in a way that didn't seem possible with dialogue. Oddly enough, the more I photographed, the more naturally conversation came to me, and I evolved into someone who could comfortably share their perspective on things.
Photography is a continuous learning process for me, and working with Jason would teach me to be a more effective storyteller with my images. I would love to learn his method of creating photos that are emotional and honest, that encourage people to feel inspired and explore the world around them.