Alex Teas — Utah

Course: Career Training 2011

Before Attending

It is May 20, 2011 and in two weeks I will leave behind life as I know it to embark on a journey of creativity and passion.

I had originally looked into the RMSP program more than three years ago when I was going through a "what to do with my life" stage, but the timing just wasn't right. I pushed the idea to the back of my mind and dove headfirst into my job, got a dog, bought and re-modeled a house, got married, and traveled. My life was wonderful; but last fall the familiar warmth of complacency began to stifle me and the "what to do with my life" questions began to creep back in. The idea of going to photography school resurfaced and this time, the timing was right. The stars aligned and I pulled the trigger.

With the move to Missoula right around the corner I would be lying to say I’m not nervous about the challenges I will face in the next five months. I wonder if I will be “good enough,” if I will get homesick, if I will make friends with my classmates, and if the education will be everything I expect it to be. But, I once heard that fear is a great teacher, and from this teacher I look forward to learning how to step outside my comfort zone, embrace my inner artist, and create thought provoking, beautiful images. I am hopeful.

After Attending

It has been four months since I came to Missoula and it is not an exaggeration to say that my time at RMSP has been life changing. I now know what it feels like to wake up every day and do something I love; to experience the clarity and stillness that comes when I shoot what I love to shoot. The journey here has been filled with amazing friends, passionate instructors, lots of fun, and plenty of “tortured artist” moments. It is an amazing community that fosters as much artistic expression and development as you can handle. The growth that I’ve experienced as a photographer and as a person has surpassed anything I could have hoped for, and I will always be grateful for my time in Missoula.