Sometimes, the most meaningful journeys begin quietly. Not with a plan. Not with a big announcement. But with a simple afternoon, a best friend, and a secondhand camera.
That’s how my photography journey began.
A Quiet Day That Sparked a Creative Fire
It was a warm, random summer day. My best friend Thea and I were at her family’s lake house, soaking in the calm, floating between laughter and silence. A few weeks earlier, I had made a quiet promise to myself, to pick up my camera again and really see the world.
Not for Instagram. Not for a paycheck. Just to create something honest.
Armed with a cheap pawn shop camera, I didn’t have a plan. But I had the urge to make something.
Into the Water: Where the Magic Happened
We started playing around with light, water, and movement. Thea waded into the lake, and suddenly we weren’t just snapping pictures, we were creating a story.
I stood on the slippery rocks, knees shaking from the waves crashing in, and we just let the moment lead us. There was no pressure, no expectations. Just the joy of creating for the sake of it.
And what we made? It was moody, raw, emotional, and yes, a little spicy. But more than anything, it was authentic.
When Art Comes From Play
I posted the photos online, expecting nothing. But people saw it. They felt it. The response wasn’t just sweet, it was affirming. The vulnerability, the artistry, the energy of that shoot? It resonated.
It made me realize that photography could be more than just a side project. It could be the thing.
What That Moment Taught Me (and Still Teaches Me Today)
That summer shoot wasn’t just the beginning of my photography business, it was the beginning of a mindset shift.
It taught me:
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That imperfection is where real beauty lives
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That art doesn’t need to be polished to be powerful
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That creativity flourishes in freedom, not control
Now, years later, when I get caught up in editing, deadlines, or overthinking, I come back to that day. To the sun on the water. To slipping on rocks and laughing. To creating something real, not curated.
I carry that spirit into every session I shoot today, whether it’s a boudoir session, a couples shoot, or a wedding by a backyard fire.
If You’ve Lost Touch With a Passion… This Is Your Sign
If you’re reading this and have a dream or creative spark you’ve been sitting on, this is your nudge.
Pick it back up. Start messy. Start unsure. Just start.
You never know.. your next quiet afternoon could change everything.
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