touchemag.com Interview: Sarah Moses

Tell us a little about you.

I grew up in small town, Fairmont, Neb. I attended high school at Fillmore Central in Geneva, Neb., and graduated in 2002. I joined the Army National Guard in 2002 and went to college at Southeast Community College in Lincoln. Now  I'm at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha. I am set to graduate with my associate's degree in Liberal Arts in the Spring of 2012.

Where did your passion for photography and photo editing come from? What inspires you?

Art has always been my passion. As Ani Defranco stated, "Art is why I wake up in the morning." Her words are nothing short of spectacular and moving. I have always just been an artist—taking pictures every place I go. I see beauty in everything and inspiration in everything around me. Within the last couple of years, I started really getting into photography and photo editing; taking pictures and capturing natural beauty gives me butterflies in my tummy...and I was excited that I was capturing such amazing things. Inspiration comes from my subjects or places that I photograph. I can usually be spotted with my Nikon around my neck, snapping various pictures that catch my eye. I guess you could say I am inspired by life and my surroundings.

If you could do anything with your photography, what would you do?

I have big plans for my photography; I want to share the beautiful things that I see with the world. One of my biggest projects that I am working on will hopefully change the world. This project is called "We are Someone." The point of this project is to show everyone that the world could not go around without LGBT individuals and their allies. LGBT is everywhere; doctors, students, business CEOs, EMT's, teachers, pilots, etc. We are everywhere and we are someone. Some of the photos displayed are from the "We are Someone" series. I plan on using this project to make an impact on the world and hopefully though it, gain more equality. I want to make a difference in the world and a difference for the LGBT community—everywhere. Maybe if people realize that the world needs us to function then they could be more accepting.

What has been you greatest accomplishment?

My greatest accomplishment as a photographer would be all the great things that are happening right now. Passion is an essential part of this profession. If you do not have the passion, you will not be where you want to be. After realizing how far I can take my photography, I have been going full force in the right direction to make this successful, including changing my major in college to photography.

What has been you greatest life lesson?

Choosing a greatest life lesson is difficult for me. I feel like everyday I am constantly changing and learning lessons from people, places, things and experiences. I learn about people through the camera lens and in day-to-day living. If I had to choose, I would use my favorite quote to explain. "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." [Maya Angelou]. Having positive interactions with everyone around me is something I strive for; how you make them feel creates a map of what kind of person you can be and are.

Tell us about this project, 'We Are Someone.' Did I hear you are to be featured on The Ellen Degeneres Show?

I recently wrote a letter to The Ellen Degeneres Show, showing interest in putting my project on her site and being a guest on her show. I have explained to her and her associates that my project is not finished and in order for me to make a huge impact I need thousands of LGBT individuals, not hundreds. Staying in contact with them until my project is finished is a must. Timing all depends on how quickly and efficiently I can wrap up this project. That all depends on the LGBT individuals interested in being a part of this project—which I am open to anyone and everyone who is interested. (Shameless plugs are a must on touchemag.com)

This opportunity started out as an idea. Like I said, I really want to make a positive impact on the world and show everyone who I am in the process. Ellen Degeneres is someone whom I've desired to meet, and this is a perfect opportunity to make it happen. I am hoping to have this project finished up in Spring of 2012...and we will go from there.

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

If I could change one thing in the world it would be acceptance and open mindedness. These specific things are what I strive to accomplish with my "We are Someone" project. Creating a better understanding of who the LGBT community is and what we contribute, perhaps, can open many doors of acceptance and less hate in the world.

Riley S. Huskey
Editor
touchémag.com