Why I Picked Up A Camera

I am by no means a professional, but I do love to take photos. Some people take photos because they're good at it, some people take photos because they enjoy it. I take photos because I moved around and grew up in several different countries. I hated moving from England to Taiwan because it uprooted everything that I knew and gave me major culture shock. I felt uncomfortable and out of place in a place, while everyone else seemed to know what they were doing and where they fit in. I couldn't bring myself to appreciate the beauty of Taiwan because I was so obsessed with comparing it to England. The sense of loss that I felt took over my life and I became pretty bitter.

It wasn't until I began college that I began taking photos. Everything was so new and exciting that I just had to capture all the moments. Granted my photography began because of the Pacific Northwest scenery and hipster influences, but it gave me a platform for keeping my memories rather than losing them. I began to take photos more often and with more purpose. With some practice and inspiration from other photographers, I developed my style. When I went back to Taiwan over the summer I realized how much I had missed while living there. After spending a whole year in Seattle, I saw Taiwan with fresh eyes. I began to appreciate the beauty of Taiwan and the unique nuances of the culture. Since then I have taken photos of my other home, Hong Kong, as well. Someday, I hope to go back to England to revisit my childhood town and snap some photos, but until then I'll continue to see the beauty in the present.