Essay

I want to pursue meaningful work that is creatively challenging and personally fulfilling. To me this means always learning new things, meeting new people, and traveling to new places. I want the photos and videos I take to help people and improve the world however possible.

I feel confident saying that becoming a photographer changed the course of my life. I used to spend a lot of time worrying about what I was going to do with my life. That was until I became a photographer. With a camera in my hand, the world makes more sense to me. Few things are as exciting to me as sharing photos with people and seeing their reactions. As a wedding photographer I have had the privilege of being present for some of the most important moments in a person’s life. That isn’t a responsibility I take lightly.

Traveling the world has given me additional insight into what matters to me the most. Meeting new people and seeing breathtaking sights gives you a new perspective on the world. Seeing something incredible and sharing it with the world is an exhilarating experience. I first fell in love with photography in Japan. I was inexperienced and my photos did not live up to my wildest dreams. Despite that, I fell in love with the process and was eager to prove myself. I eventually took a trip to Europe and came home with photos that live in my portfolio today.

I recently visited my 98 year old grandmother and we looked through her old wedding photos. Despite being over 70 years old, the photos were clear and preserved a moment I couldn’t have experienced. Wherever that photographer ended up, those photos have remained in my family for decades. It would be incredibly meaningful to me if I could provide that same experience to other people.