Somewhere over the rainbow

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

Worldwide | Tuesday, November 8, 2011 | 5 photos

I am Australian but I live in Ecuador where I run a Children’s arts foundation. I am lucky enough to teach and mentor a new generation of artists who otherwise would not have access to the materials, knowledge and inspiration, yet mostly I feel I am the one doing the learning and being inspired! Photography is my means to capture these experiences, feelings and often moments that I simply could not express in words and share them with those who are unable to join me on my adventures.

I started taking photographs just to document my travels but then my passion grew. I am constantly learning and improving, I try to take something away from each time I go out and shoot and utilize it the next time. Last year I held a small exhibition of my photographs to raise money to return to Ecuador and take over as the co-ordinator of the Foundation and it was such a thrill! The idea of people having my memories and moments hanging in their houses and sharing them with their friends and families simply excites me.

I had a hard time choosing my photographs for this competition, I originally wanted to share a piece of my life in Ecuador but in the end I chose photos from the gay pride parade in New York because I feel it embodies in a larger sense a lot of the feelings I try to capture in my photography every day. Love, happiness, hope, acceptance, openness, difference and so much more.

I want to win this scholarship because I am a hands-on learner and I feel that working in the field alongside a professional would be an amazing opportunity to develop and grow as a photographer and a chance to put new skills into practice.