- For my STEP trip, I traveled to Seattle, Washington, and Victoria, Canada, as well as various locations within Olympic National Park with other Ohio State students and two advisors. Every stop offered unique landscapes and landmarks that we photographed and edited.
- Before going on this trip, I did not know much about photography. I have always enjoyed taking pictures and wished to make it a more serious hobby, but I have never had the opportunity to learn and immerse myself in the world of photography. This trip allowed me to learn so much, and I feel so much more confident in my abilities. My eye for picture taking has completely changed for the better, and I have found myself capturing things I would have never paid any mind to since getting back.
- I think the things that helped me the most throughout this trip were my advisors and group members. Everyone was always so kind and willing to help out wherever they could. For the most part, the majority of our group was not super well-versed in photography, so we all grew together. I made mistakes feel less upsetting, but it also made accomplishments even more exciting because everyone was there to lift each other up. Our advisors, Pat and Tony, were extremely knowledgeable about the subject, and they always made sure we were comfortable with our equipment and had everything we needed to take good photos. They gave great feedback that really helped me improve my photos throughout the week. I also really appreciated how comfortable they made us feel throughout the trip. This was my first time being out of the country and so far away from home, so I was a bit nervous. I was worried that this would impact my ability to learn and live in the moment, but I never felt uncomfortable or out of place at any point on my trip. Lastly, I found that trial and error helped me a lot. The first few days were a little rough for me because I was struggling with the camera settings and trying to find unique ways to capture the locations. However, the more I struggled, the more I learned, and I could feel how much my confidence had grown by the end of the week.
- This change is valuable to my life because it opened the door for a new hobby that has allowed me to express myself creatively. As a criminology major, I will often be dealing with very heavy situations, and I know that this will take a toll on my mental health. The number one piece of advice that I have been given from professionals within the field is to find an outlet that allows me to step away from work and put my mind at peace. I believe that photography could be this outlet for me, and I would not have discovered my love for the art form without my STEP project.
