06/02/2026
This isn’t a big deal to most people, but I wanted to share a little backstory about why earning my photography certificate from UT means so much to me.
Since I was 8 years old, I’ve been fascinated by cameras. I had a little 110 camera and used to make my brother and cousins pose for pictures. I remember my aunt having a camera with a zoom lens, and I was completely intrigued by it. I thought it took the coolest photos, and I couldn’t wait to have one of my own someday.
When I was in high school, I applied to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and was accepted. Unfortunately, life had other plans. My father became ill, so I stayed in Parkersburg, West Virginia, attended community college, and earned a business degree. Even then, photography never really left me. I continued to dabble in it over the years, trying to learn as much as I could on my own.
Fast forward to moving to Tennessee, and that desire to pursue photography was still there. When I learned that UT offered a photography certificate program, I signed up for my first class—and I’m so glad I did.
Over the years, I’ve taken photography classes here and there, especially as the digital world evolved, but they were often few and far between. Every class I’ve taken through UT has taught me something valuable, and I’ve had the opportunity to connect with some truly amazing photographers along the way.
I may not have made it to the Art Institute all those years ago, but earning this certificate means a lot to me. It’s a reminder that sometimes our paths don’t look the way we originally planned, but that doesn’t mean we stop pursuing the things we love.
Here’s to continuing the journey and taking photography beyond the pavement.
