Courtney’s Goodbye

Let me tell you a secret: I hardly knew anything about photography when I was offered the position as assistant photo editor my freshman year. This is not my way of being humble either, I promise.

(For those of you who know about shooting in manual, this story will make you laugh.) When I applied, I was asked to photograph students being active in the LaHaye Student Union using my camera’s manual setting. Long story short, I thought that meant shooting in manual focus. Therefore I spent hours trying to manually focus correctly on basketball players who were wildly running about the court.

Somehow, I was hired.

Shortly after starting the position, I learned what manual photography really was and told myself I would not tell a soul of my little mishap until my goodbye letter in the Champion. Though I hope this makes you chuckle, my reasons for sharing go a little deeper. I truly hope you find something you love and run after it.

In high school, photography was just something I enjoyed, but I was intimidated by those with big cameras and more experience. I remember praying my freshman year of college for an opportunity that would shape my creative talents beyond what I could ever do myself. That is exactly what God did. It is amazing how the Lord can take a small desire and mold it into one of your life’s passions.

I have been so blessed through the experiences I’ve had and the friends I’ve made from being the photo editor. I will miss you all dearly. Here are just a few of my favorite photos during my time working for the newspaper.