Attending the Rocky Mountain School of Photography Professional Intensive Program was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. Attending "PI" meant leaving behind a successful career in business management, and leaving my home, New York City, where I had lived my entire life. Big decisions never come easy, and when I finally did make that decision to attend PI, I hoped with every ounce of me that the program would prepare me for the future that I had envisioned.
As a graduate of the program, I can now say with confidence that PI was all I hoped it would be, and more. If you are serious about becoming a professional in the photography industry, the PI program will give you all the tools you need to have a successful career. My technical skills grew by leaps and bounds, I tapped into creativity that I didn't know I had inside of me, and my confidence soared. In addition to that, one of my favorite parts of the program was the constant push to look inward. This program makes an effort to help you understand why you photograph, what motivates you, and how to be the best version of yourself possible. As you go through this journey with your classmates, all deeply immersed in something you love, you will form connections and friendships that will last a lifetime. These are the connections that will help guide you throughout your career, and they will always be there when you need advice, or just someone to lean on.
It is not easy to make a living as a photographer. The PI program will challenge you, but it is how you tackle those challenges that will prepare you for the challenges that you will face in your career. When I left this program, I felt ready to begin my journey as a professional photographer, because I knew that RMSP had prepared me. My experiences at RMSP are the foundation that I built my career on, and when you have a solid foundation, you are built for success.