Photography is my favorite form of art to create. I focus on nature and wildlife because there’s something both perfect and imperfect about it. With landscapes, moving just an inch left, right, up, or down can completely change the perspective of the shot. With wildlife, you either get the photo or you don’t, but when you do, it’s almost a euphoric moment.

Growing up in a town full of hiking spots is where my love for nature started. My dad was the one who got me into photography. He always had a camera, whether it was family trips or my baseball games. Over time, I’ve drawn inspiration from photographers like Ansel Adams, Jimmy Chin, and Peter McKinnon, to help me create my own style to tell stories through my work.

I would like to use some of the money to upgrade my older equipment so I can keep creating breathtaking images. I’d also put it toward a photography trip to continue building my portfolio. On top of that, I’d love to donate a portion to The Seeing Eye, an organization that’s very close to my heart. My family has been raising puppies for them for nearly 30 years, and the work they do helping people gain independence through guide dogs is incredible.