If it isn’t graduate school…it’s another thing. It seems life just gets in the way for me to be able to make enough time for photography, my secondary (but still huge) passion next to music. When it comes down to it though, I have to make choices that satisfy my desire to perform first, and my work in much of undergraduate school and especially graduate school has led me to pursue performance opportunities in trombone.
Well…I have finally found my opportunity! Earlier this year I auditioned for the U.S. Navy music program, and got the acceptance call only a few weeks later! I am currently in basic training in Great Lakes, IL (writing this post beforehand to schedule!) and will not have access to a camera (or even my horn) until at least mid-/late-August. The MU program should have tons of performance gigs for me regardless of what fleet band I eventually get placed in later this year, but what also excites me almost as much as the playing is that I may get stationed just about anywhere in the world! Of course I would like Hawaii, Italy, Japan, for the chance to experience other cultures and play in such unique settings. But even in other parts of the U.S. where I may get placed, I’ll also have access to a whole different view of America for my photography pursuits.
Here’s to hoping that I can still continue my photography in freelance later this year, or at the very least, as a serious hobby I never plan to give up! I will make sure to respond to all comments and emails once I have access to a computer again. Thank you to all my readers for sticking with me and for your patience as I go through a huge transition over the next couple months!
Three-of-a-Kind
Nikon 105mm, ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/200
One of my last photos before shipping out!
Good luck Matthew! God bless you on your journey. Take care and be safe.
Thank you! And now I’m back and catching up with everything!
Matthew, I spent 21 years in the USAF, and I entered with your passion for photography. Believe me, once you finish training you will have wonderful opportunities for photographing subjects you never dreamed of. Have a wonderful career, and I look forward to more fascinating pictures in the future. Good luck.
Jack Corman Freelance, Oklahoma City
Hey there Jack, thank you for your kind words, I do look forward to continuing freelance once I move onto my next duty station. As I found out just a week ago, it’ll be in Japan with the 7th Fleet! Can’t wait to photograph the Pacific Rim!
congratulations for passing the audition and good luck on to you new adventure/journey..
Thank you so much angela, and thank you for following my work after all these years. 🙂