Justin Hardine — Hawaii

Course: Career Training 2011

Before Attending

Monday May 9th, 2011 – I am embarking on a journey of self-exploration in photography and I could not be more excited about it. Four weeks from today I will be surrounded by fellow students and soon-to-be great friends, who share a similar love for photography. I was afraid to take a leap of faith and make the decision to quit my job, leave my friends, move thousands of miles to a place where I do not know anyone, all in an effort to follow a dream. When I spoke to the amazing staff at RMSP about attending SI, AI and Professional Studies courses, I realized their incredible passion and dedication in making sure that you have all the necessary information to make this dream become reality. Why does it takes us so long to realize a decision like this, a decision that will drive us from within and push us beyond our comfort zone and well into the unknown. Then it came to me, the unknown is where we succeed. One of my goals is to be able to tell a story with a single image or pique the interest of others and have a subject viewed in a different light. I have a sneaky suspicion that once I complete the courses at RMSP I will have newfound confidence in myself and along with the knowledge and tools required to succeed, no matter where life takes me.

After Attending

Monday August 15th, 2011 – SI stands for summer intensive. For me but it has been; life-changing, magical, clarity, growth, challenging, precious, liberating and unforgettable. Fellow classmates have used these or similar words, be it in a hushed voice or verbalized out loud to describe their experience. A grouping of random words that sum up mutual feelings as the end of summer approaches. If I had known then what I know now, I would have laughed at myself to even remotely consider the thought of not attending SI. The way I view the world has changed, and not only through the lens. Beyond lessons learned in photography, forging new friendships has been exhilarating. Friends I can call upon when I need another set of eyes, or when I hit a roadblock and seek inspiration. Summer intensive! Yeah it is intense! 106,560 minutes of nothing but eat, sleep and speaking photography! It has been an awesome ride and with new knowledge (far more than I could have ever imagined) I will stride into the future with my head held high; confident I can accomplish anything I set my mind to, coupled with the tools to make it happen.