A faint memory, I can never fully remember. A time where I was so moved by a movement, so loved by a loved one, so energized by an action. A faint memory that once was so prevalent but now it seems no one can remember. It has happened to me and it has once also happened to you. What's the fix? It sits in your pocket everyday. Almost everyone at this time can say they own a phone or some device with a camera on it, but I want to take it a step further. Higher Quality, better focus, deeper sharpness. It really took me time for me to get to this point. I never knew I was just one step away from finding my overall dream until I picked up the camera that night. Being such an influence to athletes is an eye through a lens, to capture special moments forever. From being forced to attend my photography class everyday, to finding out what niche I wanted to dive into, and then finally putting my skills to the test and going to film my first basketball game.

The first day I saw my schedule in highschool, photography 1 and 2 was sitting on the paper staring back at me. I turned to my counselor and she could tell by the look on my face it was going to be hard getting me to walk into that class at 7:30 in the morning for a full year. Before I could even get a word out she told me to just try, who knows someday I might enjoy the art. In my head that day there was not a single word being said that I was listening to, but now I am forever grateful for her for building my dream with me. In the beginning, my attendance really struggled in my heart. I just didn’t see myself finding a passion for this. It got to a point where my teacher had to contact my mom because I just wasn’t going to class for an extended period of time. Because of that, my mom forced me and I had no choice, but to sit through the lectures and tests. Over time my grades began to improve and I subconsciously started learning about cameras. I was taught about f stop, shutter speed, ISO, and a lot of other important components to making art behind a camera. As the school year was coming to an end my photography grade was raised all the way up to a 93 and I passed my final. On the last day of the school year my photo teacher called me into the classroom. He had a camera in his hand and he told me that he sees real potential in me and he wants me to take a camera home for the summer. I was very confused because to me my skills were no more than mediocre, but I took the camera, shook his hand and thanked him for his gratitude. On that day my journey had begun.

As I began down the wide but split path of cameras I began to realize how many options there were for me to choose from. Not only could I choose between photography, videography, or cinematography. I also had to figure out what it was that I wanted to shoot. I have always been a person of many interests and a jack of all trades. Because of this it was really hard for me to decide on a particular subject. Did I want to shoot portraits or maybe street pictures? Was it weddings or was it wildlife that was in my best interest? I really had no clue, and because of summer I really had no guidance from my teacher. First I chose to go out and take pictures of cars in my apartment complex. At the beginning I was enjoying it but soon became bored because of the stillness of the vehicles. This made me realize that movement was something I enjoyed shooting. I went back into my house and took my bearded dragon out of his cage and placed him on the floor. With a very annoyed look on his face. He rummaged around the room as my shutter opened and closed. I continued this for about 10 minutes. Then I sat on my bed and started to scroll through the pictures on the mini-screen. The more I scrolled the more my smile began to dissipate. All the pictures were really just the same thing. My lizard was either looking right or left. There was no real story behind any of the shots, no purpose. A look of hope came clean across my face. As I put my lizard back in his cage I pictured it in my head. Sitting on the cold court. The basketball hitting the ground with a hard thud. People running, falling, jumping and taking flight. I have always watched and played basketball ever since I was a kid so It only made sense. It annoyed me that it took that long to realize my real dream was to take pictures and videos in the NBA.

For a strange reason I felt nervous as I packed my small camera bag my teacher gave me and prepared to go and shoot my very first summer league high school basketball game, but once the thought came into my mind I couldn’t shake it. I grabbed my camera and headed to rangeview high school with my heart racing with anticipation. As I walked in the gym buzzed with energy, and the players shouting out plays were echoing in my ears. I was ready to capture it all. As the players warmed up, I was drawn into their world. Their eyes narrowed with determination. I felt a thrill at the thought of being part of their experience, even if just behind the lens. When the game began, I positioned myself under the backboard and put myself in the position to get the best shots.

With each quarter, I learned to read the rhythm of the game. I became more and more skilled as the game went on. It became almost like poetry or like I was playing the sport alongside them. I found myself lost in the flow of the game, the shutter clicked rhythmically. As the weeks turned into months, I began to develop a distinct style, experimenting with angles and lighting. I discovered how to use shadows to enhance a dunk or how to focus on the sidelines to capture the coach’s reactions. Each game became an opportunity to refine my craft, to try something new, to capture the stories unfolding in front of me. With each game, my connection to basketball deepened, and so did my love for photography. I realized that I wasn’t just documenting athletics, I was telling stories that mattered. Each photograph became a piece of history. This journey had turned my initial stubbornness into a passion, and I was grateful for every click of the shutter that brought me closer to the heart of the game.

Reflecting on my journey, I see how far I've come from that uncertain teenager who initially hated stepping into photography class. What began as a forced upon commitment transformed into a profound passion, allowing me to connect with the sport I love in a new and meaningful way. The camera became more than just a tool, but it was actually a gateway to preserving moments that might otherwise fade into memory. Each photograph I take is a testament to the excitement of the game. Capturing not just athletes in motion but their dedication. My initial struggles in the classroom laid the foundation for me, teaching me creativity. Today, I am not just a photographer; I am a storyteller, using my lens to document the beautiful game of basketball, creating a visual legacy for athletes and fans. As I continue to grow, I carry the lessons learned and the memories created, forever grateful for the chance to share the stories of those who inspire me.