As a writer who crafts poetry and essays centered around the experiences of Black women and girls, I’ve always found solace in words. But did you know that my creative journey extends beyond writing? Let me share how photography became an unexpected companion on my artistic path.
1. Capturing My Beauty
In January 2019, after undergoing an excisional biopsy to remove a mass in my left breast caused by pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH), I grappled with self-consciousness. PASH is a rare, benign breast lesion that appears as an oval, round, or well-demarcated hypoechoic mass with cystic spaces on mammography or a mass large enough to distort the entire breast. The scar and the asymmetry between my left and right breasts weighed on my mind. In response, I turned to photography—specifically self-portraiture. These photos became my affirmation: my body remained beautiful, scars and all (Read my February 2019 blog post for the full story).
2. A Finalist in the Sunspot Literary Journal Inception Contest
The following year, I took a chance and submitted one of my black-and-white self-portraits to the Sunspot Literary Inception Contest. To my delight, it was named a finalist. This recognition fueled my passion for photography and encouraged me to explore further.
3. Nature as Inspiration
As a poet, I’ve always drawn inspiration from nature. Botanical gardens, nature preserves, and parks serve as my muse. The more time I spent immersed in natural beauty, the stronger my desire to capture it visually grew. And so, I ventured beyond self-portraits.
4. From iPhone to DSLR
My trusty iPhone 7 has been my faithful companion for photography. Basic cropping and editing sufficed, but I yearned for more. Recently, I took a leap of faith and invested in a refurbished Canon EOS 4000D Rebel T100 DSLR camera. It’s my first professional-grade camera, and I’ll admit—I’m a tad intimidated. But growth demands stepping out of our comfort zones.
5. Embracing the Learning Curve
As I challenged myself to evolve as a poet and writer, I now embrace photography. Alongside my new camera, I’ve acquired Luminar Neo by Skylum, a photo editing software tailored for novice photographers. The learning curve is steep, but I’m ready to ascend.
6. The Joy of Artistry
Being an artist means breaking free from limitations. I revel in expressing the world around me through both words and images. So, what new adventure beckons you? Will you answer the call?
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