📸 2014 – The Year That Changed Everything

It was around 2014, a time when the photography world was buzzing with the upcoming release of the original A7. This was the first mirrorless camera that truly made waves in the industry. I remember the excitement as if it were yesterday. The A7 was something special, and I couldn’t resist its allure. I managed to snag one second-hand for around $600, which, looking back, was a steal.

But here’s the kicker—I didn’t just stop at getting the A7. I dove headfirst into the world of vintage lenses, picking up some Minolta lenses from the 80s. Because the A7 was mirrorless, I could attach almost any lens with the right adapter. Suddenly, I had a full-frame setup with lenses like the 24mm, 50mm, and 35mm—all f/1.4 and all from the 80s. It was a cool introduction to photography, and little did I know, it was just the beginning of an incredible journey.

🌌 The Spark: Discovering Astrophotography

My initial inspiration for diving into photography came from a place I didn’t expect—500px and Pinterest. I was scrolling through these platforms when I stumbled upon some mind-blowing astrophotography. I had never seen anything like it before. Pictures of the Milky Way, so clear and vivid, taken with a camera! The idea that someone could capture something so majestic, something you couldn’t even see with the naked eye, left me awestruck.

So, naturally, I decided to give it a shot. My first attempt at astrophotography was… well, let’s just say it was a learning experience. England, as you may know, is pretty light-polluted, and my chosen spot was a reservoir after work. The horizon was orange, the sky was purple, and while there were a few stars, it wasn’t exactly what I had envisioned. But you know what? I was stoked! That small success ignited a passion in me that would soon become my full-time career.

💼 A Fork in the Road: From Design to Photography

At the time, I was studying design at university, and for my final year project, I developed a bicycle light for city use. It was an ambitious project, one that pushed me to quit my job and fully commit to developing this product. However, as the months went by, I began to realize just how big of an undertaking it was. Launching a product with tech in it is no small feat. Crowdfunding wasn’t bringing in the funds I needed, and about a year in, I hit a wall.

I didn’t believe in the idea anymore, and as the founder, that was a problem. I found myself at a fork in the road—go back to design after a year out or pursue photography, which had started as a hobby but was quickly becoming a passion. After some soul-searching, I chose photography.

🚀 The Leap: From Hobby to Full-Time Photographer

Choosing photography wasn’t easy, especially since I was woefully unprepared. I had done some second-shooting at weddings and a bit of editing work, but I hadn’t really worked commercially or earned much from it. Instagram was starting to gain serious traction around 2018, and people were beginning to get big on the platform. The early days of Instagram were different—post a photo, and it could go viral overnight, especially if a big feature page shared it.

I decided to dive in, head first, into the world of photography, unsure of what the future would hold but excited about the possibilities. It was a bold move, one that would eventually pay off, but at the time, it was filled with uncertainty and challenges. But those challenges were what made the journey so rewarding.

Stay tuned for more stories from my photography adventures—there’s a lot more to share! 🌟