Kickstarter

To see more work, please visit my website: ww.pixelspluspicas.com

A little over a week ago, I was reminded, as I often am, what a lucky young woman I am. It was a Saturday, and I spent nearly 12 hours at a house in my neighborhood, photographing some of my town's best chefs as they prepared and presented a meal to an underground supper club they started a few years ago.

I'm lucky for a lot of reasons. First, I found a real passion, a calling during my time as a student at the University of Georgia: photojournalism. I've had the privilege of shooting from the sidelines at a UGA football game, from the pit at American Le Mans Series races, and in the living room of a recovered drug addict in her small apartment as she shared an intimate moment with her daughter.

I'm lucky, too, because I went to a school that provided me with the equipment to learn my craft, the equipment that bought me access to so many places, experiences and the inner lives of so many strangers.

Now I'm hoping to be lucky enough to raise the money I need to buy my own camera kit, as I am about to graduate and return all the beloved Canon gear that's been in my possession for the last few years.

I'm trying to raise $2000 to buy a Canon 40D and 24-70mm L series f/2.8 lens. I'll take it with me everywhere I go. In the immediate future, that means to Atlanta, where I'll use photojournalism to break into my community and tell the stories of the people I find there. Eventually, I hope to take it with me to Italy, where I studied for six months, to explore more deeply the lives of the vibrant people there.

I have everything else I need to continue practicing photojournalism, including editing software, memory cards and over two years of experience. I've had photos published on the New York Times website and in Athens Food and Culture Magazine and UGAZine. I've also shot regularly for the local magazine Flagpole and am on the photo staff at my school's paper. Moving forward, I plan to produce stories for my own edification, for private individuals and for local publications no matter where I live. Who knows? If you help me reach my goal, I may end up in your hometown, photographing you!