Where it all started..

Sometimes, life’s most meaningful journeys begin on the simplest of days. For me, it was a random summer afternoon that forever changed the trajectory of what I wanted to do with my life. My best friend, Thea, and I were at her parents’ lake house, soaking in the sun and enjoying the peace of being alone by the water. Just a couple of weeks earlier, I’d made a decision to reconnect with my love for photography—a passion I’d let fade over the years. Armed with a cheap camera I’d snagged from a pawn shop, I wanted to start documenting life in a way that felt real and raw.

Thea and I decided to play around with the camera that day, setting out to capture something more creative and daring than just the typical snapshots. She stepped into the lake, and we began experimenting with angles and ideas, letting the moment guide us. The goal wasn’t just to take photos; it was to create something that felt alive and full of emotion.

I still remember standing on the slippery rocks, the waves crashing into us and threatening to take us both down with every shot. There was laughter, a bit of struggle to keep balance, and the pure joy of creating without any expectations. By the time the sun started to dip lower in the sky, we had captured something magical. The photos were moody, artsy, and, dare I say, a little spicy. But more than anything, they felt authentic. They captured not just Thea’s beauty but the feeling of that day—wild, carefree, and creative.

When I shared those photos online, I didn’t expect much. But to my surprise, people loved them. They saw what I had seen—the emotion, the artistry, the story behind the images. The feedback I received wasn’t just kind; it was encouraging. It made me realize that maybe, just maybe, this little spark of a hobby could be something more.

Looking back, that summer day by the lake was the beginning of everything for me. It was when I learned to trust my instincts, to let go of perfection, and to embrace the messy, beautiful process of creating. It taught me that photography isn’t just about taking pictures, it’s about telling stories, capturing emotions, and seeing beauty in the everyday.

Today, I sit and reminisce about that day, especially when I’ve forgotten how to be carefree in my creativity. I tend to be a perfectionist, constantly striving for the best and overthinking every detail. Remembering that summer afternoon gives me a breath of relief and reminds me to tap back into that wild, carefree energy when creating. It’s a gift I try to carry forward into every shoot.

Those first photos remind me why I do this. They’re imperfect, raw, and full of heart—and they’re where it all began. If you’re reading this and have a dream or passion you’ve set aside, let this be your sign to pick it back up. You never know where it might take you.