Where You Belong
“For the highs and lows, and moments in between, mountains and valleys, and rivers and streams, for where you are now and where you will go, for “I’ve always known” and “I told you so” for “nothing is happening” and “all has gone wrong” it’s here in this journey, you will learn to be strong you will get where you’re going, leading you to where you belong.”
These words felt like medicine today. My journey as a photographer officially started back in 2009. I moved up to NC after finishing my master's degree in Music Education, and felt lost at sea with the scant opportunity to begin my career as job openings/opportunities weren't happening.
Curbing the unsettling feelings of what the future would hold, I found comfort in my camera. It was Danell that said, "Let's meet up for lunch! Put together a small portfolio of your favorite images and I'll look through them and give you feedback." When showing my selected images from my laptop those nervous feelings brought me back to my vocal performance days of being excited but also completely terrified. Danell had all but encouraging words and believed in me. A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER WITH A REAL LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY DEGREE believed in ME, a self-taught photographer with laughably little experience. "Keep playing! You've got the eye, and that is a skill that cannot be taught," she told me.
Leah, another pro photographer, said encouragingly, "You should try shooting in manual mode because it's going to open up a world of opportunities for you." A simple Facebook comment that gave a gentle push when Leon wrote, " These shots are really great Krista. All of them." It was all fuel to my creative fire and very much molded me into the photographer I am today.
My photography journey has been a twisty one. It’s been filled with unforgettable experiences by people who believed in me. There was solo camping across many National Parks and while I had a HUGE love for the outdoors, I grew to understand that landscape photography is not for me. There’s fond memories of this beautiful person who offered to sit for me when I’d never instructed a model before. Taking myself on “artists dates” and even nervously putting myself in front of the camera. At times my journey has been put on hold while I started (and continue) my career in public education (gotta pay the bills). I’ve clicked the shutter for many life events like my first ever wedding (whoa nelly), retirement celebrations, arrivals of wee ones, documenting families through the years, flower farm life, more weddings, and countless other milestones. I am grateful for every single part of it. I've come SO FAR in my photography journey.
Creativity is a funny thing; it needs caring and nurturing. Every artist has its valleys and peaks in their relationship with creativity. I needed to hear those words today. Zipping down memory lane (yes, thank you for indulging me) my nose crumpled and my jaw tightened but all serving as a self-reminder that this was my process and journey. A gentle reminder for me and perhaps maybe for you too.