Photos: My Scholarship entry - Raz Al Jinz Turtle Reserve

njohnson — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 21:10:00 GMT

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.

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

njohnson — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:00:38 GMT

My two greatest passions are travel and photography. Whether I'm traveling through my own hometown or a far off region across the globe, I'm continuously fascinated by the natural beauty that is present in the everyday. My first experience with travel photography began at university, when I spent two semesters studying in Ireland. Outside the classroom, I found myself exploring various regions of the country with a camera in hand, capturing everything from the life on bustling city streets, to the untouched landscapes of the rural countryside. These impromptu journeys were just the beginning of my photographic adventures, as I have since traveled to locations across Europe, Asia, and North America to document the decisive, fleeting moments that exist in everyday life.

I believe that photographs have a very powerful way of connecting with people, exposing to them new ways of seeing the world and the marvels of everyday life. My goal is to share these new perspectives with others, illustrating not only the intricacies that exist within a specific culture, but how they translate back into our own personal lives.

A Journey into Laos

Photos: My Scholarship entry - Raz Al Jinz Turtle Reserve

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited