PHOTOGRAPHY
There was always something I left unsaid growing up, since I could never find the words. I wasn't comfortable with who I was. I couldn't stand the vulnerability of putting myself out there. But when I first picked up a camera in grade 9, my head became clear. It felt safe, so I shot everyday over the summer. As I looked through these photos, patterns arose, and with each one reflecting more of my thoughts and feelings. Those patterns, in tandem with what I liked to shoot, developed into my style. That style is how I express myself. Through said expression, it revealed insights and realizations about myself, and allowed me to face my emotions at my own pace. I could piece myself together and the messages I wanted to convey, visually. The words I was searching for came to me after. Whenever I went out to take photos at first, I'd feel self-conscious over strangers perceiving me as conspicuous. Hours flew by, and a man struck a conversation with me about photography and living in Vancouver. Someone else saw my camera, and talked to me because they love photography. I'd engage with the players on my school's teams, showing them how I portrayed their emotions and stories, helping me understand who they are. Those connections wouldn't have formed without it getting me out there. With each photo, I feel a deeper connection to the world. In return, I connect others through the stories I've captured. I can adapt to new situations quickly with the confidence and understanding I gained.
There was always something I left unsaid growing up, since I could never find the words. I wasn't comfortable with who I was. I couldn't stand the vulnerability of putting myself out there. But when I first picked up a camera in grade 9, my head became clear. It felt safe, so I shot everyday over the summer. As I looked through these photos, patterns arose, and with each one reflecting more of my thoughts and feelings. Those patterns, in tandem with what I liked to shoot, developed into my style. That style is how I express myself. Through said expression, it revealed insights and realizations about myself, and allowed me to face my emotions at my own pace. I could piece myself together and the messages I wanted to convey, visually. The words I was searching for came to me after. Whenever I went out to take photos at first, I'd feel self-conscious over strangers perceiving me as conspicuous. Hours flew by, and a man struck a conversation with me about photography and living in Vancouver. Someone else saw my camera, and talked to me because they love photography. I'd engage with the players on my school's teams, showing them how I portrayed their emotions and stories, helping me understand who they are. Those connections wouldn't have formed without it getting me out there. With each photo, I feel a deeper connection to the world. In return, I connect others through the stories I've captured. I can adapt to new situations quickly with the confidence and understanding I gained.
