How did your photography become a passion?

When I was around 11, my mom gave me my first camera, one with a floppy disk that I’d have to insert into the computer to upload my photos (I know, it feels nostalgic and even a little embarrassing to admit that now haha). I would capture everything – sleepovers, hanging out with friends, and landscape shots around Joe Rich, where I grew up. I loved having those digital photos to look back on, so I’d upload them to my Nexopia profile then Facebook albums. It was all about preserving those memories.

As the years passed, my photos improved with upgrades to newer cameras. But the game truly changed when we inherited my late grandfather’s professional Panasonic camera, which he had used for his stunning landscape shots and portraits. That camera allowed me to learn the manual settings, and I became fascinated by how customizable the camera was. It was a whole new world, and I loved experimenting with it. I guess I have my mom and grandfather to thank for turning my expensive hobby into my passion. What began with capturing memories now feels like an art form, and it’s amazing to look back on how it all started!