Visiting My Dream School… as the One Behind the Camera

Life has a funny way of bringing dreams full circle.

For years, the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) was my dream school. I admired the creativity, the innovation, and the incredible work that came from its students and alumni. As someone who built a career through self-teaching, countless hours of practice, and an obsession with storytelling, I often wondered what it would be like to walk those halls.

I never imagined that my first real experience on campus wouldn’t be as a student—it would be as a creative professional hired to capture content.

Standing there with a camera in my hands instead of a backpack on my shoulders was surreal. I wasn’t just visiting my dream school. I had been entrusted with documenting its story. That moment reminded me that sometimes God answers our dreams in ways we never expect.

One thing I’ve learned as a self-taught creative is that it takes an incredible amount of self-confidence to bet on yourself. There isn’t always a professor grading your work or a classroom validating your progress. You become your own teacher, your own mentor, your own critic, and often your own biggest supporter.

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There were moments when I questioned whether I was learning the “right” way. But every late night spent watching tutorials, every project that challenged me, every mistake that became a lesson, and every client who trusted my vision helped shape the creative I am today.

I’m thankful for that journey because it taught me that education doesn’t only happen in a classroom. Sometimes it happens behind a camera, on a set, in the editing room, or through the willingness to keep showing up and improving every single day.

As I explored SCAD, I was inspired by the studios, editing suites, galleries, and collaborative spaces. Everything reflected a commitment to excellence and creativity. It wasn’t just a campus—it felt like a place where ideas are given permission to become reality.

I also found myself reflecting on the story behind SCAD itself. One of the reasons I’ve remained such a fan is because of its founder, Paula Wallace. Learning how she helped build SCAD from a bold vision into one of the world’s most respected art and design universities is something I deeply admire.

While our stories are different, I relate to the courage it takes to believe in something before everyone else sees it. Building anything meaningful requires faith, resilience, and a willingness to keep moving forward when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.

That founder’s mindset resonates with me because, in many ways, I’ve had to build my own path. Without a traditional film school education, I’ve had to trust my vision, invest in myself, and continue learning through experience. It’s not always the easiest route, but it’s been my route—and I’m grateful for it.

Leaving SCAD, I didn’t think about what could have been. I thought about what is.

A dream school that once felt far away had become a place where my work was valued. Instead of imagining myself there, I found myself creating there.

That’s a reminder I’ll carry with me for a long time: your path may not look the way you expected, but if you stay committed to your craft, opportunities have a way of finding you.

Sometimes the dream isn’t getting into the room.

Sometimes the dream is realizing you’ve earned your place in it.