I met Nick Cason and Armando Garza while doing a daily news assignment for an internship at a Missouri newspaper. It was supposed to be just a few photographs, and short captions, end of story. After meeting them though, I knew it was going to become something much more than that. Armando Garza is a nearly-blind Hispanic albino, and Nick Cason has been blind his entire life. We were doing a short story about them moving to town and how they were coping. They were so full of life and more happy and energetic than most people I know. I asked if I could hang out with them for the day, and they immediately agreed. We went all over town together. We rode busses, we walked several miles, we got lost, we nearly froze outside, we missed busses, it was an adventure the entire day. When I got home I realized how lucky I was to not only make it through all the strange experiences I encountered with them, but to also come away with some pictures documenting their life. Spending that day with them has left a lasting impression on me as far as how unique and incredible this profession is. We get access to the vibrant and wonderful moments in people’s lives and get to share them with the world. This, to me, is the most beautiful aspect of photography.

August Kryger is a graduate student in the photojournalism program at the University of Missouri. He received his bachelor of Journalism degree in 2007 from MU. Prior to beginning his graduate studies, he worked at the Courier-Times in Sedro-Woolley, WA and the Skagit Valley Herald in Mount Vernon, WA as a photographer and staff writer. Currently he is interning at the St. Joseph News-Press. He has been recognized by College Photographer of the Year awards, the Washington Newspaper Association and the Missouri Press Association.

Photographs and text by August Kryger