How a Juried Art Show Ignited My Passion
My very first experience as a photographer was when I was around 10 years old. My dad, who had an Olympus DSLR, took me to Meeker, Colorado for the annual Classic Sheepdog Championship. I couldn't figure out much of the camera settings, or really how to photograph what I was seeing, but I ended up with a few in-focus photos.
A few weeks later, my parents mentioned a juried art show at Vernal’s then “premiere” venue, Western Park. I decided to enter three of my photos, not expecting much. To my surprise, all three placed! Sure, the competition in the kids' category might not have been fierce, but it still sparked a desire to keep photographing — a desire that is still burning strong almost 20 years later.
As I got older, I photographed the animals around my farm, who were willing subjects most of the time. Cows, horses, cats, dogs—they all became familiar faces in front of my camera. My 64 MB memory card was filled with their portraits. Eventually, I branched out, capturing my classmates at sporting events, discovering the thrill of freezing action in time.
How a Student Job Enabled My Growth
By 2016, I was a freshman at BYU and needed a job to help with tuition. I scrolled through endless listings for desk attendants and custodial positions before stumbling upon something I didn’t know existed: “University Communications Student Photographer.” Despite my less-than-polished portfolio and basic technical skills, I applied, went through multiple rounds of interviews, and got the job!
I wasn’t the most experienced or knowledgeable candidate—a fact my boss would later confirm with a laugh—but I was eager to learn. Those years at BYU Photo were transformative. They gave me the knowledge, tools, and experiences that have helped me get to where I am today. I learned to adapt to challenging situations, like photographing fast-paced and unfamiliar sports in less-than-ideal lighting conditions, and how to stay calm and creative under pressure.
I made plenty of mistakes along the way, sometimes learning the hard way what it means to be a better photographer, accountable employee, and dependable teammate. But each stumble was a stepping stone, shaping my approach and mindset that I rely on every time I pick up my camera today.
How My Journey Continues to Evolve
In upcoming posts, I’ll share the hard-earned lessons I’ve learned, the thrilling experiences I’ve had on the sidelines, and the technical how-to's that have become second nature. I’ll reflect on what it was like to capture athletes in their most triumphant victories and their most crushing defeats—the raw emotion in their eyes, the tension in the air, and the stories those moments tell. I’ll also talk about the things I wish I’d done differently—those “if only I knew then what I know now” moments.
Hope you enjoy the journey!
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