Finding my light
It’s been 10 years since I made the decision, I wanted to learn to do something really well and photography became my focus…actually, my obsession. I said to my husband, if I was young and free again, I would love to sign up for a week’s photography workshop in Puglia, Italy with photographer Carla Coulson. I had read her books and been so inspired by her photography journey, and she sparked a dream. My husband just said one word, “GO”. And so, I did. Of course, the minute I committed I was instantly terrified. I had never used my camera in Manual mode before. I felt I had to have it all perfected by the time I got to the workshop, so I watched countless YouTube videos, attempted to read the instruction manual and basically spent a lot of time stressing.
In hindsight it is easy to see that that week in Puglia was a major turning point in my whole life, not just my photographic life. But at the time, I sat in class each day feeling like a total imposter. Fortunately, I was surrounded by so much optimism, people hungry for knowledge and a desire to improve, and the most amazing teacher on the planet. Hands down, Carla runs the best workshops I’ve ever attended, and I attended a few after this one. I was inspired, motivated, and determined to keep going down this path.
One thing that I will always remember Carla saying was to give us permission to take time on the learning journey. It may take 10 years before you start reaping the rewards.
So I returned home from Italy and I just kept at it. I tried to take a small step each day. It might be taking photos, editing, posting on Instagram, going to an exhibition, watching a movie, or looking at a photography book. Most noticeably I was always watching the light. I have found that looking for the light doesn’t just improve my photography, but it meant I was always seeing beauty wherever I went. It lifted my mood, and it has been a great gift.
I am very grateful that I didn’t have to wait 10 years before reaping the rewards. I have been included in group exhibitions, selected in competitions, published in magazines, published a photography book, and sold hundreds of prints. Most of all I am proud that I have stuck with it.
Perhaps the biggest thing that changed for me has been my mindset. I have gone from total imposter syndrome to believing that photography is something I can do. I thought about selling prints for a long time and it is something that has become my reality, and gives me great joy. Everyone needs to start with an idea and then keep taking those steps to make it happen. To see more of my work follow the link.
