First of all let me thank every one who up voted [Your Story Contest](https://steemit.com/contest/@ashwinrajt/your-story-contest-how-you-got-into-photography) and helped crowd funding the contest prize, frankly I did not expect it to generate this much prize money. The idea of the contest was to primarily support Steemit users with great content with not much success yet , but contest was open to everyone ! Secondly I thank you everyone who participated with your amazing stories ! It was not a easy decision , going through all the stores and also looking at your profile content ! Theme of the Story was **How you got into photography as a student/hobbyist/professional** Here are the best 5 stories and winners in no particular order ! I am adding some quotes from the story and my favorite image from their profile , I would recommend reading the full story by clicking the link. **Winners !!** [My way into Photography](https://steemit.com/mystory-contest/@axeman/my-way-into-photography)by @axeman The beauty of Nature and the beauty of Woman. Nothing esle can inspire more feelings ![bescouted_photo.jpg](http://transformed-source.bescouted.com.s3.amazonaws.com/user-photo/source/o2R7c9qGJbBt5BpRwOzF5nWuTfuy1eS5qO1fvUTCsFqd0q97MXERdcasduYAvf2W.jpg?fit=clip&w=1920&h=1080) [How I picked Up a Camera and have yet to put it back down](https://steemit.com/photography/@outrayjust/how-i-picked-up-a-camera-and-have-yet-to-put-it-back-down) by @outrayjust It can be lonely and isolating. And I often feel as if I’m out of sync - in my own dimension - while I am creating. ![photo](https://steemitimages.com/DQmVbUfBNGEjfuf22JzAwZN127edg47LyNBzSERqwoZBVzV/2003CA39-E896-43DD-8B69-928E187D63B1.jpeg) [How I got in to Photography](https://steemit.com/contest/@ashwinrajt/your-story-contest-how-you-got-into-photography#@narchuk/re-ashwinrajt-your-story-contest-how-you-got-into-photography-20180107t125329440z) by @narchuk I spent in the water all my free time - 6-8 hours a day, swim away for many miles. It seemed as the fate itself pushed me to the underwater photography. ![photo](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4596/24685326847_f83a85d0f4_o.jpg) [How I got into photography ](https://steemit.com/photography/@isabellemonisse/how-i-got-into-photography) by @isabellemonisse I started simply to release my emotional pain, which prevents me from living fully up until now. I wanted to express my overwhelming emotions and couldn't find a better media for that, but photography ![photo](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmTj84GGLhMZAPkU5rPCFDodazj8AtDBxun2gQG1ZqXzdL/_MG_4936.JPG) [Story Time](https://steemit.com/mystory-contest/@rimicane/story-time) by @rimicane With the photography, there is no end - you learn all the time! ![photo](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://s9.postimg.org/tyyrnrl9b/DSC5873.jpg) **Congratulations All Winners** !! **Additionally I have decided to add 3 sbd's from my side to appreciate/reward below great profiles with amazing photography who also participated**! Photography by @lozt ![photo](https://steemitimages.com/DQmed8LsYWRrotAmHKXLswazct2sZJd4z6VcFKngaC9Z277/macro.jpg) Photography by @mibreit-photo ![photo](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://www.mibreit-photo.com/galleries/steem/oceania/New-Zealand-North-Island/Whangarei.jpg) Photography by @peachfizzle ![photo](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://img.esteem.ws/mx5m70j7gk.jpg) Steemians - Appreciate if you could show some love & support by visiting these profiles ! One again thank you every one for participating, sharing your real life story and making this a success. I will try to arrange more such contest in the interest of community and to support the Underdogs, if I may call ! You can see all the contest entries [here](https://steemit.com/contest/@ashwinrajt/your-story-contest-how-you-got-into-photography) **Payouts !** As I mentioned in my [original post](https://steemit.com/contest/@ashwinrajt/your-story-contest-how-you-got-into-photography) all of the author rewards would go to winners, that is **6+ SBDs** each based on below payout crowd funded from [original post](https://steemit.com/contest/@ashwinrajt/your-story-contest-how-you-got-into-photography) ![payout.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZzpte86TfyLKQd9rogZiQtfXcEgPGB7cqQFZZd3gxU3o/payout.JPG) 6.334 SBDs Each @outrayjust @narchuk @isabellemonisse @rimicane @axeman 1 SBD each @lozt @mibreit-photo @peachfizzle Cheers! @ashwinrajt [My Steepshot Photography Gallery](https://alpha.steepshot.io/@ashwinrajt) [My Recent Blog:First Motorcycle Riding Experience in USA](https://steemit.com/motorcycle/@ashwinrajt/motorcycle-diaries-arkansas-a-new-country-a-new-beginning) [![footerimage.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmXgkTKLaNAnQPCqPQtvcv5pdrvjKh6gCtqzapGDVcspfA/footer%20image.png)](https://steemit.com/motorcycle/@ashwinrajt/motorcycle-diaries-arkansas-a-new-country-a-new-beginning) _{Follow/Resteem/Upvote if you like my content , Thank you !}