My career as a photographer began while battling forest fires with the U.S. Forest Service in Wyoming. One day during a break on a fireline someone handed me a magazine to read. Inside was an article about a Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist who traveled the world with his cameras. His images were inspiring and told stories of  adventure in distant lands and planted a seed of curiosity within me. I didn't know anything about photography or understand the long difficult path I was about to embark. Looking back, I wouldn't changed a thing. The education and experience gained on assignments is invaluable. Photojournalism is about learning and understanding life through the lens of a camera. Our images have to withstand the test of a lifetime and always tell a story. Ken Blackbird 2009