the beginning

It all started with a '90s box set of National Geographic magazines.

There it sat, on a wooden basement shelf: the thick brown leather, a shell, protection, for the wonders that it held within. The yellow-edged glossy photographic magazines nestled in their brown leather nest showed me snippets of life outside of my own basement, my own house, neighbourhood, province and country.

Considering myself an artist at the time, I felt drawn to the visually enticing photographs. Also being an avid reader from an early age, the articles would prod at my sensory, lifting me away to a far off land, with unknown people, animals and landscapes.

My father, who worked for Air Nova at the time, received bi-annual box sets of the gloriously colourful – both literally and figuratively – magazines through his work. Each set, lined up against the previous, a visual account of the world around me, not yet explored.

I pondered and accepted that: Until I was old enough, at least pieces of the world were available at my finger tips.

By that point I had been able to visit a few foreign countries, and even though very young, understood I had to appreciate each trip. But the magazines continued to revive what must have been the beginning forms of a planted travel bug in the very depths of my brain, and heart.

As I got older, the bug growing in size and strength each day, I knew something had to be done to keep it at bay. There had always been an interest in visual arts, photography and film as well as writing, and it was something that both of my parents felt very strongly that I should pursue. Although I had strong interests in many things, and passionate phases in my life, there was only one thing that seemed to stick in my brain and heart through and through: travel.

What better way to amalgamate all of my life’s past and current passions then to consider a job along the lines of a photojournalist.

I have always been, and I think forever will be interested in the world around me. And I am sure that travel will be my one true passion in life. I am so fascinated with the workings of the world: its cultures, its histories, the anguish and contentment, the people, food, traditions, architecture, landscapes – the list continues, and continues to grow each day as well.

To me photojournalism is the ticket to pursuing my passion; being able to explore these countries and cultures, documenting the world around me through my own eyes while sharing it with others.