We began as something singular.
Separate paths but unknowingly linear.
Two forces colliding at best.
Who knew all the laughs, tears, and love would bring us all of this?
Our love forever guiding us in new.
The laughs endlessly grounding us through the test of time.
We are linear in the chaos of the world,
and at the center of our wild,
is home.
First blog, and I thought no better of a subject than the topic of support and growth. I won’t get too deep into the historical events of me as a photographer/creator, I will however get into the discussion of the power of perseverance and just how much it means to have someone who consistently supports and believes in you.
Like most of us, believing in myself is something I am VERY terrible at! I began photography as a creative maybe six years ago, and within that time have really struggled to even identify myself as both a “creator” or “photographer.” Honestly, its still a little strange to say. Luckily, I had someone lifting my head up from day one, probably even before what I’d consider day one. I’ve had someone pushing me and championing me for as long as I can remember, and without her I wouldn’t be writing this blog. That person is my sister, Vanessa Smith.
Like most of us, besides those annoying people who are freakishly good at things right away, I wasn’t the best photographer in the beginning. We all start somewhere right, and practice makes perfect? Well, even though I knew/know the logic behind this, I would continuously cringe in utter defeat before breaking barriers. I would look at other’s work and feel defeated. Even though I was trying to learn new things, it just wasn’t translating. I was ready to quit! But there she was, my dear sister rooting for me in all corners. In every special milestone of her life, she asked me to document it. In times, I refused and told her to go to someone better. In response, she definitely gave me a few expletive words and told me “you are the best!”
It was with her that I felt the comfort of love and support to allow my worries to dissolve and just be while I worked. Too often our fear and worries cloud our minds so much that the majority of our energy gets wasted. In this particular case its been my creativity being stumped, but I find this to be true in all facets of life whether it be work, love, friendships, family, and etc. It is with her where I learned the style that sang to my soul.
So much of my work I hope embodies some sort of freedom. I hope it reflects individuality and comfort in just being. I hope it reflects the growth that my sister has given me in this field. To this day she is pushing me. I probably wanted to quit again last week feeling defeated, but there she was.
Below are a few pictures of the years with my sister and her growing family. The past is in black and white as its transforms to color from this years excursion.
I share my story and images in hopes of communicating both visually and through words the importance of supporting others. The power you hold in believing in someone is unquantifiable.
I also share this in hopes that we all remind ourselves that humility of ourselves is just as important. Looking back at these pictures, I see my growth. I am fortunate to have an actual picture comparison, but this also applies to all other facets of life. Our growth is inevitable. Some of us do it at faster or slower paces, and thats ok. Some of us grow in different thresholds, and thats ok. I share this to remind you to breathe and reflect on your growth. I am here to support you, like my sister has endlessly done for me!
Thank you sis!
For my Giveaway participants, please comment below something you might be or have struggled with in self doubt. Who is your greatest support system?
