My Focus For Humanity Grant Submission
Over the last few days I have worked very hard writing my presentation for the Focus For Humanity grant. The grant is a great opportunity for beginner socially conscious photographers to get into the door working with NGO’s as well as getting mentored by some great photographers. The submission was very strick in its requirements and caused me a few nights of intense thought. Here is the photographs in the order that I submitted them in. You are only allowed to submit 10, but here is all of the ones that I had mulled over for submission.
Here is my written part of the grant.
“Your vision will become clear when you look into your heart”- Carl Jung
It is my duty as an artist to use my unique vision to show the beauty, humanity and compassion that makes up our world. If my work can enabled one person to re-think their perspectives and perhaps take on a more respectful view of cultures they know little about, I remain convicted in the power of photography.
Life has taken me on many career paths over the years, and now I’ve returned to the very beginning, where I belong. I am so compelled to take this path, that I have sold everything and uprooted my life to fulfill my life’s vocation. I must follow the voice deep inside me to believe in the dream that my work has value, purpose and emotion.
Vision: that I’ve captured the unspoken emotion and magic of the moment
Purpose: that what I create has a purpose and gives meaning, connection and conviction
Value: to the client that hires me to fulfill their objectives, and to myself so I can wake up another day to fulfill my life’s purpose.
Failure is not an option: I have no other paths that so clearly defines my life’s purpose.
Genetics and fate have given me a unique vision on the world around me, and it is my destiny to reveal the world’s truthful moments of light and shadow.
No longer is the image latent, but revealed for all to see, for within the frame we see, but it is through our hearts we feel.
My journey started with my first photography contest win. I was 13 years old. Throughout the years my career has guided me to the latent magic of silver halides, to flatbed steenbecks, and to pixel pusher. After a long journey I have finally returned to the magical array of light meeting shadow.
Yes, anyone can take a picture, but not everyone can take a picture that structures the pixels in such an order that they create value, emotion and a call to action. To believe, and to hope that my images and my skills will make someones life better is my life’s goal. Aside from the many challenges of a life down this pixellated path; knowing that divinity of clarity, guides my life’s true meaning and purpose.
I ask you the Jury, to see within me the gift that I have been given. To ask you to help, and to guide me along this meandering, and sometimes shadowy path.
In the magic of the stolen moment,
that time, and life stands still,
to show its true self,
in it’s own light.
Emotion is the purpose of our vocation as photographers.
For in the quietest moments,
the whisper speaks to me, to follow;
and I am drawn to it like no other.
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