Hunter Nichols, a senior in geography with a minor in art, was one of 10 students selected to receive a scholarship to attend the North American Nature Photography Association’s 14th Annual Summit in Destin, Fla., Feb. 27 to March 2.
Twelve students, ten from the United States and two from Mexico, attended the summit.
Students submitted an application, with two resources and samples of their photography, for scholarship consideration.
According to www.Nanpa.org, the scholarship is funded by the NANPA Foundation. The mission of the NANPA Foundation is “to provide education, foster professional and ethical conduct, gather and disseminate information and to develop standards for all persons interested in the field of nature photography.”
The summit was an incredible week-long experience for Nichols. While he was there, he received professional opinions on his portfolio and learned from professionals from companies such as National Geographic.
“It was amazing,” Nichols said. “I didn’t know anything about the business side of photography, and it opened up a new world. It encouraged me because I saw professionals that make great money if they are really talented.”
Nichols learned about the summit from a conservation photographer from Birmingham.
“There are people more talented than me that are missing out,” Nichols said.
More than 500 top nature and conservation photographers gave presentations at the summit.
“I’m still trying to digest and make sense of the whole thing,” Nichols said.
Some of Nichols’ projects concern Alabama water issues.
“I want to show a difference between a healthy environment and a devastated one,” Nichols said.
Nichols recommended anyone interested in photography attend NANPA’s Annual Summit.
“Even if you get rejected, apply again,” Nichols said. “There was one person there who had been rejected the year before. Don’t give up.”
