Oh the Places You'll Go

This might seem a really really strange picture to post as a tribute to Rachel... but stay with me here. When mission 24 first started, I was still figuring out who I was as a photographer (still am, but I'm getting there!). I knew I liked to take pictures of people... always had, but then I would have these challenges that really didn't work to just take a picture of what I was comfortable with. I wanted to take a photo of something meaningful for that word, and I would really take the challenge seriously. At the same time, I really wanted to expand my photography skills, so I wanted to make sure that it was a good photo in itself, too. I ended up taking photos of some things I never would've thought to take a picture of, and I found that I really loved it. I started thinking of more photography opportunities for myself, and expanded who I am as a photographer. One of my favorite photos was taken because of a quest to fulfill a mission 24 assignment, no matter what. I entered photos in a magazine contest, and ended up with a couple of full page spreads and an ongoing relationship with the magazine as a photographer. Just this month I was given an assignment by the magazine to take a picture of a graveyard. Before mission 24 I would've panicked. Because of my mission 24 training, I knew that I could take a picture of anything and make it cool. Sooo... there you go. This post is a tribute to the growth I've experienced because of Rachel, and this photo of a graveyard is a symbol of the direction mission 24 has taken me... the expansion I have experienced as a photographer because of an idea that Rachel had, and made into something big. Not only did she set up a place for all of us to learn and grow, but she encouraged us all along the way, and helped everyone in their quest to become better photographers. Thank you Rachel, for starting mission 24, for personally encouraging me in my photography, and for being an inspiration all around. Love you!