Moments Behind the Lens That Changed Me

When I first picked up my camera, I thought my work would be about capturing faces, smiles, and the perfect angle of light.

What I didn’t expect was that it would become a mirror—not just for the people in front of me, but for myself.

Over the years, I’ve worked with many people, mostly women. In every session, before the click of the shutter, there’s a conversation. A moment of connection. I listen. I observe. I wait until I feel that subtle shift—when the guard comes down and the real person steps forward.

Slowly, I began to see a pattern. Almost every woman arrived with a quiet list of insecurities—little things she wanted to hide, angles she thought would be “better,” or a nervous laugh when I told her she was beautiful.

It was never just about how they looked in a photo. It was about the story they had been telling themselves for years.

But here’s the thing: with each session, as we built trust, I started to notice something else. By the time they left, there was a change. A softness. A light in their eyes. They saw themselves the way I saw them—strong, beautiful, worthy.

And without realizing it at first, I was changing too.

Their courage to be seen, even in their most vulnerable moments, gave me the courage to trust my own gift.

I learned that we’re not that different. We all carry insecurities. We all want to be seen for who we really are. And when we are, something inside us grows.

Behind the lens, I thought I was capturing them.

But the truth is, they were helping me see myself too.