My Story...
In 2017, I went through a difficult season with juggling college coursework, multiple jobs, and tending to medical issues with myself and my family. I was in a major that caused more stress than fulfillment, I was recovering from a broken leg from a car accident, and my family came under stress financially and mentally due to medical bills taking care of my father. This would continue into the summer where it felt as though I was being pressured from every area of my life. That summer, I finally decided that this was something I needed to talk to someone about. I called one of best friends from childhood just to vent and seek guidance from her. We went through multiple solutions but, she suggested I start a hobby that would take my mind off these stresses. "Why not try photogram? One of my other best friends is a professional and LOVES it. You need a get-away that isn't something you're familiar with that you can put all your time in learning." I thought she was crazy because I was a musician. I actually played nine instruments and majored in music education. I didn't think I had a visually creative bone in my body. But I felt like I had no other options. So I used what was left of my refund from school that summer and purchased my first camera. A Nikon D750. Then, everyday after work and music practice, I would travel to downtown , walk around the city, and take pictures of everything. Buildings, grass, the sky, people; I would document everything and edit it on my phone. I began to see the world differently. Things weren't so gloomy or depressing anymore, but it was as if I were being to see everything come to life. I started to see the beauty and story in everything instead of passing it by and staying in my own world. I did this all summer until I went back to school with my new gift. People began to notice I'd got into photography and began to request my new skill for projects for them. I would then start to be given opportunities I felt I didn't deserve. From Photo managerial jobs, to wedding gigs, to creating sports content for my university in both photo and video; things didn't seem real. I grew to love to capture everyones story. Having a camera taught to see the value, beauty, and love in everything. It taught me how to be positive. That is what I desire to share with the world.
