Have you ever looked at something and realized exactly how random and dull it actually was?

Have you thought about taking the most random objects and making them appear as art?

That’s how it all started for me.

I’m not going to lie, I was never really in to photography. I needed a “fill in” class my sophomore year in high school. That is when I jumped into a photography class. Starting out, I went and shot some of the most random things, and it wasn’t pretty. Think of pictures of flowers, bugs and even pictures of the sky. I was not a photographer.

My “work” was edging towards the equivalent of a middle schooler with his polaroid. I know you remember what I’m talking about. The random shots of your friends on the school bus, as well as the shot of a group of people with someone randomly flipping the bird. That was me four years ago.

I remember when I received my first sports photography assignment, I was really worrying about how I was going to be able to pull it off. I knew I wouldn’t be able to shoot my randomosity masterpieces any longer. I showed up to the basketball game ready to take some completely worthless, blurry pictures.

I was dumbfounded when the pictures were developed. That was the moment that my skills began to develop as well. I gained confidence that I hadn’t had before. I began taking on sports photography assignments and realized I had a bit of an eye for it.

One thing that I believe helped me out tremendously was the knowledge I had for most sports. With sports knowledge, the photography aspect of it becomes very predictable.

As my high school years flowed by, I started sending my photos into contests. Unlike my publications adviser, I was surprised when I received honors.

I continued growing in my sports photography skills and my random photography skills as well. I gained a new eye for things other than sports. Once again, it was randomosity. However the second time around, my random photos were more artistic. For example, I took a view of lockers down a hallway, and turned it into art. Once I was able to maintain both sports and randomosity photography, I was able to maintain any task that was asked of me.

As high school ended, I thought about my chances of taking pictures for a college newspaper.

Soon enough I was in contact with T.R. Hanrahan talking to him about my interests. I mailed T.R. and The Chart staff a portfolio of some of my work and it didn’t take long for me to get news that I was accepted to shoot photography for Missouri Southern.

My second semester as a freshman I began shooting for The Chart. I took every photography assignment available with pride, and gave it my all. Two weeks of shooting for The Chart I was named Director of Photography.

Every accomplishment starts with a goal. To accomplish that goal, you must take the first step, which is the hardest step.