I'm a candidate for an M.A. in International Media at American University in Washington, D.C. I've been around the world a few times taking photos that try to express my surroundings.

I've been U.S. Army Reserve for more than 15 years and am currently a photojournalist assigned to the Joint Public Affairs Support Element based out of Norfolk Naval Base, Va.

A soldier once told me that being a soldier consists of long periods of boredom followed by brief periods of excitement. I've tried to be there for both.

I was named the Army Journalist of the Year 2010 and the Army Reserve Military Journalist of the Year for 2009 and 2010. I've won numerous Keith L. Ware awards, Military Visual Information Awards, and NPPA awards for photojournalism. I've also been awarded the Combat Action Badge for coverage of troops under enemy fire.