It's not everyday you find something that you love to do, something that is as much as a necessity as breathing. Photography gives me the ability to capture a moment in time that will never be seen again, and that is invaluable.

Photography holds a special place in my life. A lot of times before I do something, I always prefer that my camera is on my person in case something important or out of the ordinary happens. For me, photography is the way to “escape” the stress and problems of my life; as well as a way of reviving a dying art. I took up photography because I felt as if not enough people were interested or respected it as a form of art. I believe that it's my job to breathe life into photography again -- to make people want to take up photography.

To be able to capture a moment that others would normally just bypass and discount is truly a gift that many people do not get to experience. Some great pictures have been taken with phones, and pictures hold memories that otherwise might have been forgotten.

The way I see things is kind of like looking through the lens of a camera. There is so much to see, all I have to do is take life one snapshot at a time. The key to life is to live in the now, and not worry too much about the future. When I take pictures at an event, there is a peace that I just can't get from anything else. It's like I'm in my own world, and photography is a separate world from everything around me.

So far, in my school, there have been several people who have told me they are interested in making a move towards photography. That alone makes me relieved to know that my work is not in vain. What makes this all meaningful to me, is that I get a chance to prove people wrong. Especially since there are people who don't have or believe in the same goals and dreams as I do. It has taken me out of the streets, where there is evident danger in a world that is relaxing and safe doing something productive.

Photography is a learning experience -- that's why it never gets boring. There is always something to see and learn. You have to be ready for

any and every situation at any time. The same can be said for life. When you're prepared, you feel more relaxed and are less stressed. As long as there is a reason to find new cures to diseases, there will always be a reason to take pictures. The same can be said for life, when you are prepared you feel relaxed are less stressed. I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to enjoy what I do but also to help other people explore their talents.