I started with single-use-cameras before moving on to a pink Kodak, a gift after I broke my ankle in a bike accident. That little point-and-shoot became more than just a camera—it became therapy. Photography turned into my way of seeing the world, capturing moments that felt meaningful.

In my senior year of high school, I got my first DSLR, and that’s when it hit me—this is what I want to do with my life. After graduating, I went off to college, chasing that dream. But school had always been a struggle for me. No matter how hard I tried, I started to fail. A few teachers even told me to quit, so I did. I walked away from photography, convinced I wasn’t meant for it.

For years, I felt like a failure. But when my daughter was born, something changed. I wanted her to believe in herself, to chase her dreams. How could I teach her that if I had given up on mine? So before returning to school, I sought answers. A doctor finally put words to my struggles—ADHD, anxiety, and depression. I wasn’t dumb or incapable. I just learned differently.

Now, I’m rewriting my story. By the end of May, I’ll have an Associate’s degree in Photography, along with several certificates. It took time, self-discovery, and a little detour, but I found my way back to what I love. And this time, I’m not letting it go.