Finding My Footing: Taking Chances and Growing as a Photographer

The past couple of years, I’ve decided to take my photography seriously—building my portfolio, learning everything I can, and honing my skills. I’ve been holding tight to my motto: “Keep going and just do the next best thing.” This year, I felt it was time to step outside my comfort zone and push myself further. No more holding back.

I’ve felt my portfolio grow, filled with photographs that hold meaning to me, but I knew I needed to take the next steps to elevate my work. I had to take a leap into the deep end.

It started with joining the Professional Photographers of America’s International Photography Competition. This yearly competition brings together some of the top photographers in the country, featuring 16 categories and a chance to have work judged live at the Imaging USA event. I knew the competition would be fierce, but I was ready to challenge myself.

After carefully culling through my library, I landed on a quiet night scene from Rome—one of my favorite photos from a series I captured this summer in Italy. It felt like the perfect choice for the landscape category. I anxiously filled out the submission form, paid the fees, and sent the photo off to be evaluated. Weeks turned into months, and on November 7th, the results were finally released.

Pathways of Power: The Roman Road to Capitoline Hill and Caesar's Forum

I logged into my account with my expectations set at rock bottom. Self-doubt and imposter syndrome hit hard. Who was I to compete against the best photographers in the country? As the page loaded, I held my breath, and when the results appeared, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. My photo placed 44th out of 241 entries—top 50 in my first-ever professional competition. My jaw dropped, and for the first time, I started to believe that maybe my work is better than I’ve allowed myself to think.

Professional Photographers of America International Photography Competition Results

But I wasn’t done pushing myself.

The Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest has been one of my “holy grail” goals for years. I’ve submitted photos in the past, but none had ever been accepted. When this year’s submissions opened, I didn’t hesitate to send in my Rome photo, hoping it would finally get my foot in the door. Weeks passed, and the photo stayed in the dreaded “pending” queue.

As time droned by, another photo was prominent in my head. A photo I had taken earlier this month at the annual Día de los Muertos event in Round Rock, Texas—one of my favorite events to photograph every year. The image captured a Danza Azteca Guadalupana performer mid-spin, their feathered headdress flowing, their gaze locked with the camera. It was one of those rare moments that felt like magic, and I’d received positive feedback on it from friends and fellow photographers. I knew it had potential.

Jose, a Danza Azteca Guadalupana performer at the annual Round Rock Día de los Muertos event

There was just one problem: I needed a model release to secure the submission. It took hours of battling nerves, but at nearly midnight, I messaged the organization to ask if they could help me contact the performer. Within minutes, I got a response: “That’s me in the photo! I’ll release it!”

With the paperwork signed, I submitted the photo, titled “Echoes of the Ancestors,” and took a deep breath. I hoped this submission wouldn’t languish in the pending abyss like others.

Hours passed and curiosity got the better of me. I reopened the Smithsonian submission page, and to my shock, the status next to my photo had changed. It no longer said “pending.” It said “accepted.”

My photo was officially in the running and listed on the contest page. While it’s just the first step, this feels monumental to me. Seeing my work alongside so many talented photographers is an honor I can’t put into words.

Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest website submission page

The results and finalists won’t be announced until spring 2025, so it’s a waiting game now. While I’m not holding my breath, the simple fact that my photo is in the running is a win I never expected.

This year of pushing myself has been full of surprises, but it’s shown me that when you just keep going and do the next best thing, amazing things can happen. From placing top 50 in a national competition to being accepted by the Smithsonian Magazine to be in the running, I’m proving to myself that following your passion and taking risks pays off.

I can’t wait to see where the journey takes me next. Remember, keep going and do the next best thing.

PS. if you’d like to see the submission page on the Smithsonian website, I’ll leave the link HERE