My first memorable photo captured a black widow spider grasping an off-white egg sack in my backyard. The warm spring breeze carried my father’s words as he warned me to be careful, reiterating the dangers of the spider. As I promised him I would, I sprinted inside to retrieve my camera, a recent gift. Shortly after, I was crouched down next to the black widow, camera in hand. Messing with the focus on the camera, the shutter clicked away, and I captured not only the spider but the beginning of my photography journey. This was the first photo I was truly proud of and looking back, I am happy with how far I have come and the growth that has taken place within the past few years. Now, I would describe myself as a passionate individual who is interested in growing and expanding my photography abilities. The number of opportunities photography has opened up for me is indescribable. I have entered numerous competitions, applied for leadership positions, and I have become more confident in myself. Photography is more than a mere art form for me, it is a way to creatively express my passions and ideas. Over the span of multiple years, I have been able to connect with the world around me on an interpersonal level. Revealing the layers of my surroundings, I have been able to discover concepts that previously remained beneath the surface. Forming better relationships with friends, exploring new places, and experiencing different cultures have all been prevalent themes throughout my photos. Since the original spark which fueled my interest, photography has become more than a hobby. I often bring my camera to any event I attend because it has become such a major part of my life. I want to capture the pure, raw emotion of those around me and the natural state of the earth which surrounds me. My main goal is to have the image my camera captures be as candid as possible because it allows the viewer to view themselves as a part of the photo. To me, photography is a way to convey emotions and my ultimate goal as a photographer is to accurately and extensively capture the true essence of any situation: the peace of nature, the energy at a Friday night football game, or the beauty of an elk in its natural habitat. Each of these scenes has one thing in common, they are uninterrupted by the photographer and display the reality of the situation. In the coming years, I plan to continue taking photos to document my life. In college, I aim to become more involved in media opportunities within my community and my school. Being able to share my passion is crucial to my development as a photographer because others can provide me with changes and interpretations of my work I would not have otherwise thought of. Growth is the most important part of being a photographer because there is always room for it. Through reflecting on past pieces and imagining future ones, I have begun to put together a vision of what I would like my photography to evolve into. I want to continue to offer different perspectives of the world that everyone plays a part in while connecting people through a singular photograph.