MTC Blast

For my location, I decided to go into the MTC and capture the everyday lives of missionaries who are preparing to leave for their prospective mission fields.  Deseret News calls it "a little city" as there are on average 2,000 missionaries at a given time who are staying at the MTC.  In the beginning I started trying to take candid shots of missionaries, but felt intrusive, so I began asking for permission to take pictures of missionaries I wanted to photograph.  By doing so, I actually ended up having a much more interesting and unique experience.  I learned a lot about these missionaries and the missions they were preparing to serve in. 

 These two girls caught my eye because of their huge, long trench coats.  I spoke more to them and found out they are preparing to serve in Argentina, in one of the cold missions. I love that even after a couple of weeks of knowing each other, you could tell these sisters were good friends who supported each other.

 These elders captured my attention because I feel like they capture the classic missionary stereotype.  The huge, football-player-build tall elder, with a companion who is about two feet shorter than the other.  When I asked if I could photograph these elders they said sure but just kept walking while everyone else stopped and posed.

 These sisters were some of my personal favorite because after speaking to them a little bit, I found out they are going to serve in Lyon, France!  (I served in Paris).  These sisters just arrived less than a week ago and were so excited because the girl in the blue just took out her endowment that day.  (She's from Albania).  It was so cool to see how the church really is international.

 These elders I stopped because it brought back another classic image to me of missionaries: elders with their earmuffs.  I laughed because the elder on the right was obviously more carefree (in other pictures he is throwing the peace sign) while his companion was more stiff and rigid.  I love how you can capture some of the personality of these missionaries in just a couple of minutes and a picture.  They are headed to Soeul, South Korea.

This statue stands near the missionary cafeteria where every missionary will walk past on a daily basis.  The statue to me symbolizes hard work and unity among a companion.  Here the elders are riding with purpose and quickly to spread the Gospel to everyone!