Carlos Bernal, freelance Photographer
I never intended to study art, or graphic design, or photography. Very much a left-brain problem-solving nerd. Due to my military service and combat injuries, I qualified for education benefits via the Veterans Administration (VA) Rehabilitation and Education (VR&E) program. I am currently enrolled at the Academy of Arts University, pursuing a Master’s Degree
in Photography. My goal is to take better pictures and achieve a skill level that could someday get me published in National Geographic Magazine. The great benefit from the program is that my photography has become a cornerstone for my combat PTSD treatment. When I put my camera to my eye to compose the image; the intrusive memories, unwanted voices, irritability, and anger just disappears. I become a different person. And yes, my photography improved as a fringe benefit. I must credit my wife, my children, friends, local businesses, and other artists for their help and encouragement. My wife says I have become calmer, gentler, and happier. She has noticed the changes in how I see the world. I could not have gotten this far in my life without her. I am focusing on Travel photography because it encompasses capturing the essence of a place and its culture, encompassing various subjects like landscapes, people, street scenes, and cultural events. It never gets boring. I love it.
