Photography did more than change my life; it saved my life. Five years ago, I was miserably depressed, in a failing marriage, with nothing (I felt) to live for. Not that I wanted to die, but I led a miserable life with no passion.
I was working as a government contractor, and although my husband and I made around $150,000 per year, it was the most miserable job I ever had. I worked with conservative pilots that believed men should not marry other men, and that women would never be as effective in my career field. In my case, they were right, because I gained no pleasure from watching terrorists die everyday from the video feed of a military drone. I truly felt that I was selling my soul. Sound depressing? It gets worse. Our home was broken into multiple times, there was a huge drug problem in that city, and my husband and friends were just as miserable as me. To make matters worse, I drank to forget about the pit I was forced to live and work in everyday.
So one day (quite literally), I hit my breaking point. I quit my job, sold all my possessions, and ran away. I wanted to go somewhere that had more energy, more creativity, and wasn't in California. Las Vegas was home to some friends that told me if would be good for an artist like me. I shot film photography in high school, and really wanted to get back into it (as a hobby if nothing else). I strongly felt that my misery stemmed from a lack of passion in my life. I didn't create anything. I didn't have an outlet.
Now, I know that photography is what I was supposed to be doing all along. I needed a career that kept me interested, and we all know that photographers are never done learning and growing. I need to make my world better with my art. It has truly made me a better, happier person.
No comments:
Post a Comment