For a long time, I wrestled with the idea of pursuing any career related to law and criminal justice, both for fear of myself and others. I was afraid I would be placed in situations where I would be required to neglect my personal values, accepting criminal activity as a regular part of society. Additionally, I was afraid that my friends, family, and anyone I met would associate me with negativity, as I would be surrounded by darkness constantly. The fear kept me from even acknowledging the possibility of such a career for a long time, but I recently underwent a change of perspective. By entering the career field I would not be becoming part of the darkness, I would be holding a candle to such, potentially lighting the way to change for those who are in need of such help. The career I would like most to pursue would be investigative photojournalism. The job would combine detective work and journalism, working to uncover criminal activity in our world. This responsibility alone would benefit the world, as it would eliminate dangerous and potentially drastic criminal affairs. But I would like to take the career a step further, thinking about the people I would impact along the way. Whether this applies to a criminal I encounter, or simply a person I talk to in the investigative process, one conversation can change a life. I am a firm believer that sending a smile to someone across the street can impact them forever, so imagine what could be done in conversations and one-on-one interactions. Throughout my childhood there were times when I wanted to be a cop or detective, but I did not think I had the emotional strength to carry a gun and risk having to shoot at another person. But the detective work upheld its fascination in my mind, as the idea of uncovering something so intricate was one I found most entertaining. Accordingly, I have found a potential route to pursue the best parts and avoid the worst parts of that job that seemed so exciting. Overall, for me the criminal justice field would be about helping everyone, including those who have no one else. So frequently people see criminal justice as helping all citizens, but the emphasis is rarely placed on criminals themselves. I want to have a positive impact on everyone, including my peers in the workplace, those whom others consider to be criminal in their identity, and anyone else I may encounter on the job.

I once had a teacher tell me I had to choose between excelling at academics and excelling at athletics, and while I see the perspective from which that analysis came, I do not agree. My whole life I played soccer; however, throughout middle school I was not as good as everyone else on the team. Such lacking skill was likely the result of my own anxieties holding me back, as I blocked my own progression through fear. When high school came along though, everything changed. The people who had once made me feel small moved away, and I was in a new environment where my past did not define me. My confidence improved exponentially and I finally recognized that it was me who decided how much joy I derived from things. This revelation quickly became a perspective I could apply to everything. I could choose to complain and grumble over a partner project, or I could embrace the opportunity to make a new friend whom I may keep for years to come. I could be annoyed at having three soccer games in one week, or I could rejoice in the fact that I have two working and healthy legs to carry me through the game. Everything in life is ultimately about perspective, and perspective is a choice. In terms of a career, I intend to bring my positive perspective with me, hopefully lighting up my workplace. As a student pursuing English and Criminology, I recognize the negative stigma placed on many of the careers I may pursue. Such workplaces are often seen as dark or negative and filled with impure intentions. But what if I could walk into a room, or far better a person's life, and turn everything around? A single conversation can change everything, and a simple smile can rock someone's world, so why should I not put myself into a situation where I can impact the world for good? I wrestled for a long time with a certain guilt about pursuing such a career, as I was afraid people would think I was accepting or supporting the things that go against my beliefs. However, I then applied to such fears my perspective of good, and I found joy in knowing I could be changing lives. Overall, sports helped me to understand that things are what you make them. If I walk into every place in life expecting the worst, I will never find joy, nor will I help others find it. By looking at the world optimistically, however, I can instill a similar positivity in the lives of others, ultimately changing their lives for the better.

West Virginia is a state able to be summed in a single word--Appalachia. To some, Appalachia is a geographical region in itself, but, to me, Appalachia is a social standard. The word fills my mind with visuals, whether it be the twin gas stations characterizing every small town, or an exilerating visual from the top of one of the state's renowned mountains. Appalachia is a lifestyle, and all West Virginians have been living it. In some cases, Appalachia is restricting, serving as a dam to our bigger dreams. Opportunity is not always abundant here, and some experiences go on without us. But dams, in exigent circumstances, can be torn down. Similarly, we as West Virginians can surpass any geographical restrictions threatening our dreams and aspirations. Living in West Virginia teaches resilience, as we must be resistant to the voices and statistics saying we cannot do it. Correlated with the lack of opportunity is the strength of those who occupy West Virginia. There is something about rising up in the face of push-back and becoming exactly who you are meant to be. That concept is one West Virginian's understand quite well, as we often times have to work harder to make our dreams flourish. When watching television, a child looks for connections to their own lives. Children living in Appalachia, however, watch television and envision their futures in a different world. The amazing part though is that, at some point, these children recognize that they are the only ones who can make their dreams happen; then, they go out and do it. I suppose the point I am attempting to make with these descriptions is that, despite some challenges, Appalachia is a place where children learn to chart their own paths, and adults are left to make their dreams happen. Personally, I would not want things any other way. West Virginia has made me, and it has done so strongly. Despite the independence described, it is important to note that West Virginia is a community. Every person is led by the knowledge that independence will carry them through anything, but such a universal knowledge allows people to connect with one another and bond over experiences. Every West Virginian is unique; each is filled with great passion that they channel into their own mediums. But each must channel their independence into those loves to thrive. Ultimately, West Virginia is beautiful and resistant. Residents spend their lives working hard for the things they love, but, in the end, it is clear that there is not a more rewarding way to live. There is something beautiful about working for the things you love, and that persistence and strive is what shapes West Virginia.

Photography is solely the task of capturing the subject's perspective. I find that, in creating, it is most rewarding to focus on the eyes. You never know what you will get out of a day photographing, but the eyes never fail to tell a story. In my portfolio I attempted to select moments that conveyed the importance of differing perspectives, especially through the capturing of one's eyes. My first image is the one I find most impactful, as the story behind the girl's eyes is begging to be heard. The element of water in the image combined with the black and white filter makes the image seem dreary and dark, making the girl look sad. Meanwhile, there is straining in the girl's eyes that can be seen through deeper consideration, provoking the question, what is straining her so? My second image was taken in a laundromat, through the door of an old washing machine. The girl in the image looks into the camera rather smug-eyed, as if she has been made aware of something the rest of us have not. Additionally, the washing machine door seems to separate her from viewers both physically and mentally, deepening the mysterious emotion lying behind that door. My third and final image captures a girl with her head thrown back in laughter, with flowers in her hair. The abstract nature of the photo conveys a more traditional lifestyle, using earthly elements to portray simplicity and innocence. The closed eyes in the image exude joy and comfort, hopefully inflicting a smile upon the lips of viewers themselves. Each of these images is impactful in its own way, but one must question what draws them together as well. The answer is both simple and incredibly complex; the images are connected by the question: What is the story? As I mentioned previously, my portfolio is all about perspective, but instead of knowing the subject's perspective I am more interested in knowing what shaped such. When I look at an image, I ponder what the subject's childhood and adult life looked like. I question what they underwent to wear the eyes they do in that single captured moment. It is my goal to make others ask those same questions when they look at my work.