A Q&A with RepMeddy Ambassador Trevor Meyer covering the Rogue Valley, photography, Italy, and travel dreams.

Where were you born?: Medford, Oregon

Where did you go to high school? What kinds of stuff were you involved in?: I went to South Medford High School. I actually had the opportunity to spend my first year of high school in the old South Medford. The other three years were in the new building. What a ride. I was an active member of the student body from band to baseball. I was also involved in the DECA club, which was a source of some of my greatest experiential learning. I also came to be known senior year for the cardboard signs I carved to show support for my friends on the football team, soccer team and basketball team. It was just a great way to support great people!

What did growing up in the Rogue Valley mean to you?: Growing up in the Rogue Valley made me who I am today and I wouldn't change that for the world. Growing up in the Rogue Valley presented me with the opportunity to be involved in a small, welcoming community. A lot of people don't know this about me, but I was actually a Boy Scout for about 12 years. Well, a Cub Scout from age 5-12 and a Boy Scout until I was 17. The organization connected me with some really great peers, taught me to appreciate what was around me, be a steward, to help other people, and to always be prepared. I carry these values with me every day.

What are you up to these days?: I spend many months of the year in Eugene as a student at the University of Oregon. I'm a student in the field of Environmental Studies, Business and Spanish. A well rounded education is obviously important to me as I'm merely a student of life. I often find myself missing the Rogue Valley but Eugene is a curious place in its own right. There really is a tremendous presence of green space, that seem unprecedented for a city twice the size of Medford. This provides an immense opportunity for me to practice photography near and even within downtown Eugene. I never thought I'd photograph a bald eagle, an osprey, or a great blue heron within two minutes walk of Autzen Stadium.

How did you get your start in photography? What drew you to it?: I first got into photography in the summer of 2013. The summer after I graduated from high school. It came about as an opportunity to fulfill the void in my life when baseball was over for me. Since then I've spent countless hours researching photographic techniques and learning all about my camera. Photography was something I never really gave much credit, but the power of a well captured moment can be unmatched. I quickly found myself captivated by intrigue and so the journey goes!

What are your favorite things to shoot?: Well, that is a really hard question to answer because I really can't say I "specialize" in any one subject. I started by photographing landscapes. They are easy, they generally don't move much, you know? But they are a lot more challenging then some people are led to believe. Since then I've dabbled in sports photography, wildlife photography, portrait photography and product photography. Sports and wildlife photography are probably my absolute favorites to photography because they are candid, you never really know what is going to happen and the failure-to-success rate is usually pretty off-putting so when you nail a shot it feels really great.

What inspires you to take photos?: I firmly believe photographs have the potential to change the world. There are many, many incredible photographers around the world who capture many different genres. I am inspired to reconnect people to the places they inhabit. I believe the populous is out of touch with the wold out-of-doors. That being said if I could somehow make a person look at the world around them differently, with appreciation and respect, then I would undoubtedly have a feeling of accomplishment.

Best story you have from your adventures: I've come away with a lot of stories from my adventures of the years so it's definitely hard to pick one as the top. But I'll leave you with this, things don't always go as you plan for better or worse. I've come across hidden waterfalls that few have likely seen,

You were part of the Medford, Oregon-Alba, Italy Sister CIty exchange in 2013, what does that sister city relationship mean to you?: I was and it was an incredible opportunity. My family has been involved with the exchange program since my brother was a member of the 2009 program. Following my trip in 2013, my sister was a part of the program in 2015. I made many memories and expanded my family to include many brothers and sisters, they just happen to be thousands of miles away. The relationship between our cities is incredibly important, and it's something that both cities should take pride in. I know I take pride in saying I was a student ambassador. The opportunity to be welcomed as a member of someone else's family is an incredibly impactful opportunity to realize the realities of other people, to learn a new language, to try new food, to see a different part of the world, or to see the world from a different perspective. It's safe to say more than a few tears were shed when the day came to say my goodbyes. The brotherhood and sisterhood will live on for everyone involved as ambassadors, or volunteers. The program is always looking for exceptional students and families to participate as exchange students, and hosts. I would encourage anyone interested to become involved sooner than later!

Top three places where you'd love to travel: Ah the kicker, this one is a bit funny to me because so many people envision far out travel destinations but I'm mostly interested in getting to know the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I'm convinced I could spend my entire life in the state of Oregon and be endlessly fascinated by the incredibly bioregional diversity from east to west and north to south.

That being said though I'd also love to spend some quality time in New Zealand and Iceland.

What's the dream?: The dream is to spend time with my loved ones, to cherish all that is beautiful in this world, to exercise happiness everyday, to be involved in my community and to make a difference for the future generations of humans, wildlife, and other living landscapes on planet Earth. If I can live a happy life, with a happy and healthy family my dreams will be realized.

What does RepMeddy mean to you?: RepMeddy is a community. It's a community of united peoples sharing love for each other through the place they love.

What does being a RepMeddy Ambassador mean to you?: RepMeddy means taking pride in where I'm from. My roots are forever embedded in the fruitful Rogue Valley soil. RepMeddy represents not just the place I love, but the people I love too.

Thanks for Reppin' Trevor, keep up the good work!: Thank you!

Check out all of Trevor's fantastic photography:

Click Here for Trevor's Photography Website

Instagram: @priiiiiiime