High school is a time of growth, exploration, and learning from mistakes. For senior Griffin Bradley, photography has been a major part of his journey, but it’s not the only thing that has shaped him. From sports to overcoming challenges, Bradley has gained valuable experiences that he hopes can help others.
Bradley’s interest in photography started a few years ago when he would take pictures of interesting patterns in nature using his phone.
“A few years ago I started taking pictures of things that look interesting in nature with my phone. Things like flowers, leaves, or anything that had a cool pattern usually caught my eye,” he said.
His girlfriend’s sister played a crucial role in getting him started, helping him choose a camera, set up social media, and learn the basics of editing.
What started as a hobby quickly grew into something more. Griffin loves how photography allows him to express creativity and appreciates the uniqueness of each photographer’s work.
“I enjoy how creative I can be and how different every photographers’ work is,” Bradley said.
Although he enjoys many types of photography, sports photography holds a special place in his heart.
“Sports photography is my favorite because I grew up playing a lot of sports and I feel connected with the photos I take because of that,” said Bradley.
But his high school experience hasn’t just been about photography. He has faced challenges, including a significant injury during his sophomore year. It was a tough setback, but Bradley persevered through rehabilitation and found new ways to stay involved.
“At the beginning of my sophomore year golf season, I fractured one of my vertebrae. I was out the rest of the season with many months of rehab ahead,” said Bradley.
Looking back, there are things he wishes he had known earlier.
“I wish I knew that all the things I spent so much of my money on weren’t going to matter in the next couple of years,” said Bradley.
He encourages younger students to think carefully before making big purchases and to focus on experiences rather than material things.
“Don’t waste your money on expensive equipment when you first start. Just learn the basics from YouTube and explore different areas of photography to see what you enjoy the most. Take pictures of literally everything to practice editing and to see what makes a photo good,” said Bradley.
His approach emphasizes learning through experience and not getting caught up in having the best gear right away. Beyond photography, Bradley has valuable advice for freshmen and sophomores starting high school.
“Try everything. Don’t be afraid of failing. Don’t let people make decisions for you. Be a friend to everyone,” said Bradley.
These words reflect his belief in taking risks and making the most out of the high school experience. Of course, doubt and fear are natural parts of growing up, but he has found a way to push through them.
“I remind myself about all the other times I have regretted not trying something new, and that usually makes me want to try whatever it is I’m scared of,” said Bradley.
As he prepares for the next chapter of his life, Bradley is heading to Indiana University to study informatics with minors in business, photography, and marketing.
“I am hoping I can get a stable job in tech and be a wedding photographer on the side,” Bradley said.
Bradley’s story is one of perseverance, creativity, and learning from experience. Whether through photography or everyday life, he encourages others to take chances, explore their interests, and not let fear hold them back. His journey shows that high school is not just about academics—it’s about finding what makes you excited to wake up every day and chasing after it.
