Martin Culpepper's Virtual Graduation Celebration

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https://youtu.be/u2Xpo3U0FIQ
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While many kids spend their time searching for a WiFi signal, gaming, or getting in trouble, my kid, Martin Culpepper has spent his entire life searching for animals. He’s been obsessed with wildlife since before he could speak, carrying around an animal encyclopedia as big as he was at two years old. In second grade, he was drawing his own Audubon style bird book. At the age of 12 he began his wildlife photography journey and by 13 he was running his own business selling his prints at fairs. By 9th grade he was giving presentations on how to find and photograph owls to standing room only audiences at libraries and national wildlife reservation visitor centers. He just graduated from high school and he’s off to Montana State university to study conservation biology and to spend every possible weekend at Yellowstone or Glacier no matter the weather. I’m throwing him this virtual graduation party in hopes of raising money to help him get a car that’s safe enough for Montana winters in Lamar Valley in Yellowstone, to help pay for the insurance for that car and if there is anything left over to help him upgrade his camera kit. On average, since he got his camera at 12, he’s spent 60-80 hours a month looking for animals to take pictures of. He got me up at 3:30 am a couple weekends ago just to go find moose in Maine. As a single mom, I’ve spent every last dollar I have and all my free time, trying to get Martin to places where he can photograph animals because I believe in his genius and know he’s going to do something amazing with his life. When he was 5, I took him to Yellowstone and when he got out of the car, he literally said, “my soul belongs here.” Those words gave me goosebumps like they were coming from a very old soul and I’ve never forgotten that moment. Since that time he’s known he was going to move to the greater Yellowstone ecosystem when he grew up and when I asked if he’d be homesick for Massachusetts, his answer has always been, “I’m homesick for Yellowstone now mom.” This Memorial Day weekend, two days after receiving his second shot, he came down with horrible heart attack symptoms at home. We rushed him to the ER and his heart enzymes were off the charts. His cardiologist confirmed that he’s part of the group of young men experiencing myocarditis because of the shot. He spent three days in the hospital bringing down the heart inflammation and he’s been forced to take the summer easy with no exertion, running or lifting more than a gallon of milk all summer. He is allowed to walk and his camera is lighter than a jug of milk so he’s still getting out there this summer when he can. There have been a couple of set backs when he’s done too much or the weather was too hot and humid. But his cardiologist says he’s going to make a full recovery and the elevation in Montana shouldn’t cause any trouble but this health set back definitely hindered his job opportunities this summer. He was hoping to work really hard this summer and save up for his vehicle. To be a wildlife photographer you have to be able to drive to find the animals to photograph. If you love nature and animals please consider donating to his online graduation party and be sure to follow him on [email redacted]tos to see his upcoming Montana and Wyoming adventures. He’s also the cohost of the popular podcast YWPPC young Wildlife Photographers Photo Chat and he’s currently got some online national speaking opportunities coming up soon. Stay tuned and thanks for all the support. And I also want to thank all the hundreds of photographers across the country who’ve taken time to mentor my kid and his wildlife photography. You all know who you are. The ones that go and get a coat from your van for him because he was being stubborn at 4:00am and didn’t think he needed a coat. The ones who’ve shared special locations where you find owls and fox dens. The ones who’ve given him great tips and how to understand animal behavior and how to photograph animals in an ethical manner. The ones who’ve shared great photography tips. The ones who’ve been his friends and have listened to all his stories. The ones who’ve taught him how to track animals, especially owls. We’ve met so many wonderful people through birding and wildlife photography and I’m so grateful for each and every one of you. If you’re one of the people who know my kid in real life, please know, even if you can’t give a dime today towards his graduation party, everything you’ve given him over the years is more than enough.