carlos maldonado r.

This post is mostly to get my thoughts out to relieve my OCD of things “todo.”

TO DO:

Find a way to stay in school  -  . .  I’m falling behind and at this moment I have the feeling when you get punched in that part of the stomach where & loose your breath!

So after my Financial Advisor Jessica Magazzu stepped down from her position, I’ve had trouble communicating with my new advisor that CashNET is giving problems. So I’ve sent out e-mails asking for help, but as much as I love SCAD I can’t seem to come through to get information. Their fees keep piling up when Im still trying to pay last quarter off. Thus I am forced to find a medium where I can either take an outside job and make up for what I owe, begin my business to start making an income that I can control, or choose to stay or go.

Choose to stay or go. -I haven’t mentioned it but I moved up from my student ambassador position to a coordinator… now I have to choose to give up the position I fought so hard for or stay.

 I came to SCAD in Fall 2011. I joined the Student Ambassador program Fall 2011, by Winter quarter I was taking Four Classes and Holding an outside Part time Job, I was also an ambassador for the following quarters helping enroll more than 15 new students one of which was in a similar position as mine. While on my outside job I learned to prioritize and Say NO to positions I could not handle – a new life changing experience (blog).  Therefore, I decided to stop my outside jobs  to focus on what matterd most to me; my education and representing SCAD as a student. I was accepted into the Ambassador program Summer Seminars but by that summer I was not able to join due to legal matters thus bringing an unexpected summer(blog). By Fall 2012I had a moment of depression due to restrictions and was unable to participate as an Ambassador. JUST recently, I finally got my new work permit to jump back into the program. So for Winter 2012 I was offered a new position with the Ambassador program as a Membership Coordinator! This was a blessing and exciting addition to my life, I get to dress up each office day. MUCH better than hosting  tables. Now, I have to choose between taking a responsibility I committed to and enjoy or take a position that will help me with catching up on school payments.

Get summer job to help me for next quarter expenses!

So  to stay in school, I have to get a job! School supplies are expensive, so having to pay the increasing tuition difference, supplies, meals, and miscellaneous is already bombarding my head with information. Im taking a CLEP test to avoid another class, and I am now taking two instead of three classes. I can only try to keep positive and write my situation in an blog that I can write my thoughts down. So if I get a summer job, I will be able to raise funds for next quarter but that impedes in my internship process.

Get an internship to help me move forward in my career to eventually be the sponsor for the future Carlos.

Getting an internship  this summer would be a scene! Especially with someone that can continue to help me grow as an individual and photographer. My goal is to become someone that can offer learning opportunities to upcoming generations, but I can’t do that if I don’t have a good career. If I don’t get an internship, I can’t make the relations necessary to increase my professional experience and in effect, I can’t move forward with my career. I believe it takes some one special to help me out to be someone special – just like the people that have been in my journey so far.

STEP OUT OF THE BOX in my  current photography work to get an exciting internship!

So I have to find a way to prove my self as a creative individual through my photography portfolio. I am partnering with my friend Sun to create a new series of works that include photography & illustration as a new creative medium in my degree. I am also working with fashion and video to start a new series of works that include fashion and dark scenes that reflect beauty in a different perspective and I am improving my portrait portfolio for the sake of finding prospective clients.

So I have to get my thoughts together, or make something happen to move forward with my goals! D’:

Looking at living, tuition,and 2013-14 expenses. Time for scholarship applications! (fingers crossed)

During the Spring Quarter at SCAD I had the opportunity to help out one of my Advertising-Major Friends Allie. She had to get together a campaign for the clothing brand  Hanes as part of her final project. I was very fortunate to take part of her vision and project.

With her ideas and concept we were able to photograph a large group of students that suited a personality that Hanes brand accommodates – Personalities like the Hipster, Business -Casual, and Nerdy look. The shoot went great and allowed for my portfolio to expand just a little more – a great advantage studying at this school.

Here are how the images turned out:

Airi helping out with lighting.

Shannon Tabolt

Hanes – Sport

Large group – successful shoot!

I love collaborative projects! Up next.. my friend’s Britanni Bumb fashion collection.

Today I got an e-mail informing me about my acceptance to an exhibition contest I entered!

The exhibition is the “Far From Home” 2012 Exhibition showcasing international student work. The exhibition will take place at Montgomery Hall, Savannah GA April 20 –May 11, 2012.

I will travel to Savannah for the opening reception.

I’m excited since it’s my second exhibition – after my first in Asheville for the “Lively Expressions” project 2011.

Carlos A. Maldonado Romero (SCAD BFA/Photography Student), “Reflection”  2012, Pigment on Print  20×30

During my initial Fall quarter at SCAD  I was accepted into the Student Ambassador program.

Training was during that whole Fall quarter. Currently during the winter quarter I became an official ambassador after passing my ambassador exam that consisted of questions about SCAD Atalanta. I got my own badge, t shirt, and student profile on the Student Ambassador Blog page. This was a very exciting accomplishment here at SCAD because I get to represent the school of my Reality (no longer of my dreams).

*Update from April 10th 2013 : This was my first ambassador profile before becoming the Membership Coordinator one year later! (present)

One of the greatest opportunities I get here at SCAD is the ability to collaborate.

My first quarter at SCAD I  came in expecting to work on various photography projects, but have lacked in time. Thank fully, in the fall the PowerShoot held by Fashion Haus helped me continue my portfolio and networking skills by having a large group photoshoot with various models and photographers. Along are some of the pictures from the shoot.

In the end, I made new connections to help me with future projects to come- such as the Contrasto project in which Chris Nguyen (on my left) greatly helped out.

*Update from April 10;2013 – WHAT was I thinking!?  This is old work that I thought was good D: ….. Im excited to update any followers I may have :] . . . new work new stories, new adventures, so much has happened in one year!