PhoDographer

My Scholarship entry - Dogs of Domestic US

USA | Sunday, November 16, 2014 | 5 photos

I began shooting as a student photographer at the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville in 2004, hoping to supplement my writing assignments with creative photojournalism, and quickly rose to the top position of Chief Photographer within the year. It wasn't my talent (which barely existed) but my dedication and hard work that fueled my ascent to that role.

I believed for years that opening a small agency in Arkansas was bordering on overly ambitious; with so much talent and competition, just having a studio with enough clients to get by would be a dream. In an act that betrayed my lack of confidence, I relocated to New Orleans in 2011. In three years, I went from shooting live music for $500/wk, to photographing for a national portrait agency that sends me all over the country. However, this is not enough to satisfy the wanderlust that was tapped three years ago.

My friends ask me the difference between a professional and an amateur. I tell them all: An amateur is one who thinks there is nothing left to learn.

This assignment would teach me about a world I've never seen, but to be honest, it probably still wouldn't calm my urge to travel and learn-- and I hope nothing ever will.