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My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

Panama | Monday, July 1, 2013 | 4 photos

I was born in Vietnam, but I immigrated to the U.S. as a child and currently reside in Florida.

As a self-taught photographer, my goals are to learn and grow through both travel and photography. Although I'd traveled to many places and photographed for the sake of memories, it wasn’t until my father gifted me a DSLR in 2008 that I began to get serious about travel photography.

Now most of my time, away from work, is devoted to honing my skills, traveling and recording. I want my images to be an honest expression of shared encounters with people and a connection with cultures.

A compelling photograph is like a short story, a poem. The serendipity in a moment is captured and the essence of a place is distilled. My hope is to inspire others to connect. My wish is to close the gap of fear of the unknown that is prominent in society.

If chosen by the National Geographic team and Jason Edwards, I would learn what it’s like to be a field photographer, to compose in a more compelling way, and to find out what it is I can contribute to the industry. It would help me forge my way to being the best travel and culture photographer I can be.