I'm sure you have heard of the retired athlete to serial hobbyist pipeline, right? That's the quickest way I can answer, "How'd you get into photography?"
I was a competitive swimmer for seven years and on track to pursue a collegiate career when I suffered an injury at the beginning of my high school junior year. The injury was career-ending, and I became lost. Sport had been my entire identity, and I'm thankful to now know that I was so much more.
My camera was an out-of-the-blue gift from my brother that not only commemorated my high school graduation, but also my peace with losing a huge part of myself and moving on. He had noticed the creative in me before even I had. Frustratingly, the camera was as foreign to me as swimming was when I put on goggles for the first time. There's nothing like the learning curve that comes with trying something completely new. However, in due time, this art has come to gift me with a priceless reflection who I am, what I like, and where I want to be.
My first 20 photoshoots during 2020 were all donation-based, where I learned what it meant to have an eye for the craft and built my portfolio. Half of my proceeds were donated to non-profit organizations during a time of heavy social injustice and unrest in our community. I then knew that this new hobby could be used for more than just monetary gain and quickly fell in love for the art and conversation it came with.
Shortly after, and before I knew it, I had become a businesswoman and more importantly, an artist. My core values since picking up a camera have not changed as I continue to put people and this community first. Nowadays, you can talk to me about veganism, becoming your best self, fashion, and my scary thing of the day (seriously, ask me). I can't wait to meet whoever's reading this!
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Recently, I graduated from the University of Texas with a Business, Marketing degree. I am determined to keep photography a hobby that brings a breath of fresh air into my life whenever I need it most, while other opportunities knock on my door. Whatever happens in the next few years, I know it's going to be spectacular...as long as I keep chasing the things that make us feel.
