The Beginning
For as long as I can remember I have been creating. Growing up I would go through phases. I made clay sculptures, friendship bracelets, origami, stuffed animals, and probably anything else you can think of. I would choose a craft and spend months perfecting my skills until I decided to try something new. This lasted years. Throughout this time I gained many skills that I use to this day. I can sew, knit, make jewelry, work with wood, paint. The most important skill this time gave me was my creativity. There were no rules to the things I created during this time. I could try out new things, figure out what worked, make mistakes, and understand the visual elements of art and design. As I have gotten older I do not have the same time to commit to these hobbies as I used to but I still create at any opportunity I can. My favorites that have carried on to this day are knitting (and all fiber arts) and stained glass.
Why Photography?
While most arts and crafts are just hobbies and creative outlets. I know I want to use my creative side in my career. My best friend's mom is a photographer and growing up she encouraged us to photograph everything. This stuck with me and I decided to get a camera in middle school. Since then I have been constantly photographing. It started with silly photoshoots of my dog and quickly progressed to creating works of art to add to my portfolio and share with the world. I am now at Savannah College of Art and Design studying photography and writing. I am still experimenting with my options but my favorite concentration of photography is documentary. I would like to work as a photojournalist or documentary photographer in the future. I enjoy telling stories. I want to use my art to share stories with the world. I believe there is so much beauty that deserves to be shared.
I have been given many opportunities during my time in Savannah that have assured me that this is the path I want to follow. Over the summer I was able to travel abroad with a group of fellow students and photographers. We spent two weeks in Argentina; immersing ourselves in the culture and creating a photo series. This time taught me the importance of learning about your subjects. By spending so much time in the culture, my knowledge and love for the country were able to show in my work. The same goes for any documentary piece I create. I also got to collaborate with a small business here in Savannah called Lite Foot Company. I interviewed the owner and spent the day learning about her story. I then created a short documentary film and article.
Personal Life
While I spend the majority of my time focused on my career and education, I also prioritize my health and well-being. I find it very important to have a good work-life balance. During my hectic work weeks, I make sure to find time to do things for myself. The main way I do this is through running and working out. With my career goals so ambitious, I have found it beneficial to have personal goals to focus on as well. My most recent one has been half-marathons. I also enjoy spending time outside and in nature. I like hiking, snowboarding, and anything else that will allow me to be outdoors. I love animals and have always had pets growing up. I have a golden retriever who is quite literally my best friend. I got her when I was 11 and she has been by my side ever since. She moved with me to college and is with me for the majority of my photo assignments and adventures.
Connect With Me
I am excited to continue learning more about digital media and see where the future takes me. I know am going to have so many great opportunities to learn, and the WINtern position is no exception. Feel free to connect with me via Instagram and LinkedIn! I hope to gain useful information and learn from the WIN community.
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