Photo Profile : Keith Lane

Since I can remember, there has always been a part of me that has wanted to be a photographer. The thought would bounce around in my head every time I watched the evening news of stories abroad, picked up a copy of National Geographic, or pored over photo books telling true and intimate stories.

But while the idea was always there, I couldn’t fully grasp exactly how it fit into my life. Three years ago this October, I was on a much different trajectory: that of working in the international development NGO world. Up until then, I was set on trying to find a way to blend my desire to travel with that of trying to make a difference in the world.

That’s when I decided to volunteer and head off to Bangladesh with a local NGO for public land and water rights. The work seemed good and the mission fit what I thought I wanted. But I suddenly and fearfully felt that something was missing, and it wasn’t until I visited the flooded region of southwestern Bangladesh that I could identify that missing piece.

Prior to leaving I invested in an entry-level DSLR and starter zoom lens. My plan was to take some photographs and write about my time abroad. I tried to focus on not just my experiences, but also on telling true stories about life in Bangladesh, a country most people still can’t find on a map. The creative process of writing, taking photographs, and sharing those on my blog re-ignited my desire to become a full-fledged photographer. My trip to the refugee camps and towns that spend seven months out of the year underwater from centuries of river management helped push me over from fear to motivation.

My process of transforming from aid worker to photojournalist was instantly put on the fast track. I knew I would need to back up my new career goal with some education, so prior to leaving I Bangladesh I applied to the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies, and was accepted. After my term at Salt, I saved up money to travel to Cambodia for two months to put my skills to the test.

My time in Cambodia was incredible, and while there I landed some great stories with some local and international NGOs. It was exactly what I wanted it to be. When I returned, I picked up an internship with Aurora Photos, a photography agency based in Portland, Maine.

At Aurora, I gained crucial behind-the-scenes knowledge about what editors liked and disliked, the best methods for interacting with a client, and how to get my portfolio from looking good to looking great. After my internship ended last May, I made the move to Washington, DC to get one step close towards working full-time as an international photojournalist: a move I’m still trying to figure out.

So, what can I say? Being a photographer is far from simple. I love the path that found me while half a world away from my home. I am lucky to have found a handful of mentors that guide and push me toward becoming a better photographer. And am grateful for the experiences I have no matter how unclear the next step might be.

The never-ending path toward creating more intimate and powerful images is quite an amazing one to be on.

You can see my work by clicking on the links below
Portfolio: http://www.keithlanephotography.com
Photo Blog: http://www.keithlanephotoblog.com