Creative Photography Journey

Secrets, struggles and an offer you can’t refuse. I am known for oversharing. haha So here it goes…

My journey to become an artist started in 24 January 2014.

I remember I was in my room in the middle of the night unable to sleep again. It was a hot summer night in Brazil and everything was ok. I was happy without any major problems so why was I awake again.

I actually knew the answer. It was that feeling. I knew that feeling well: a mixture of anxiety and sadness. A big question lingering in my head. WHY? Why am I not doing it? Why don't I just start?

Immediately, I started to list all the reasons why I shouldn't:

- Oh, I'm not good enough.

- Who would even like to see my stupid pictures.

- I don't have all the professional gear I need.

- It's a lot of work.

- Everyone else is better than me so why bother.

- What if I can't finish it? People would think I'm a quitter. My mom was right, I never finish what I start.. wow! That was harsh. Lol

Actually, I was frustrated because I wanted to start my 365 Project at January 1st and it was already the 24th and I hadn't started it. FYI, the 365 Project means to take a picture a day for one year and share them online. Back then, it was popular on Flickr.

I couldn't sleep again because I knew what I had to do but I wasn't doing it. In my head, it was because I didn't have the ‘perfect picture’ to start the project. But I had the urge. I knew what I wanted. I was also scared. So scared. There were so many ‘what ifs’.

All of the sudden, I got off my bed and picked up my camera. I don't know what happen exactly. Maybe because I was so exhausted of losing my sleep again or maybe I just had a boost of courage.

The room was still dark but I could see well because of the lights coming from outside. I've always loved the dotted patterns that the light makes on the ceiling from the closed blinds. Specially the way the lights dance all over the room when the cars pass by.

I grabbed my tripod and set the camera. I've tried some different angles, waited for the lights to dance and took a few pictures. That was it. It was done. I put my camera aside and slept straight away. I slept like a baby. Like someone that had achieved something. Accomplished.

I posted on Flickr as soon as I woke up. Here is the image: https://flic.kr/p/jt8M7g

I remember I struggled to write the description for it. I tried my best to explain the urge that I had to start taking pictures again. I wasn't happy with my explanation. I was definitely not happy with my picture but that was it. I had to do it so I could start sleeping well at night.

It's funny because as I write this text I'm having one of those sleepless nights again. It's already 7:30am and I've been awake since before 4am. My urge this time is to share my story. I think there's other people out there that might have the same dreams that I have.

Since that sleepless night in 2014 I've been working hard to become an artist. I've been completely out of my comfort zone, compromising, struggling and fighting my own fears and frustrations to make my dream come true.

And I've come a long way. From being scared to post a simple picture online to exhibiting in art galleries in London, Edinburgh, Prague and Brazil. What a ride!

In fact, it's only the beginning. I want to become a full-time artist now. Not only that, I also want to start an art charity. Hahaha

My goal is to help people fight loneliness and mental health issues using creativity and art.

Even saying it out loud sounds crazy. But when I decided to post that ceiling picture it sounded crazy too. My 365 project in 2014 changed my life. I met people from all over the world and took my skills to the next level. Most importantly, I unleashed my desire to become an artist. I didn't finish my project that year, just like the little voices in my head have warned me. But I started it again in 2015 and finished it. Horay!

My sister is a psychologist and she is the most important person in my life. While she was trying to help me she made me write down my dreams so we could work on building actionable goals to make them happen.

The first time I wrote about wanting to become an artist I wrote "hahaha" right after it. I noticed how weird that was. So my first goal toward becoming an artist was being able to say that I wanted to be an artist without feeling so silly, without writing "hahaha" after It. It wasn't funny. It was my dream even if it sounded crazy. It took me months to make that happen. And... I've noticed that I wrote the infamous "hahaha" again in this text when I was writing about being a full-time artist that runs a charity. Go back and have a look (it's underlined).

But I'm ok with that now. I know that I can overcome it and make it happen.

Since 2014, I left Brazil, my family, friends and everything behind to come to London and give my art a better chance. My pictures got featured more than once on Flickr Explore and Blog, many Instagram hubs, Facebook pages and also on TimeOut, Londonist and even the BBC. I started my MeetUp Group, hosted more than 130 events, art workshops, and met a bunch of incredible people that became my friends. I participated and helped organise my first art exhibition and even sold my work more than once. I was part of 4 exhibitions in 2017 and 8 exhibitors in 2018, including my first solo show. This year I was part of a group show in Edinburgh and more to come.

I really hope that sharing my journey will help other people out there take a step closer to follow their dreams.

People like me.

People that are looking for a purpose.

People that want a way to deal with their feelings, thoughts and expectations.

People that believe they can improve their lives through art.

People that want to make the world a better place by sharing opinions, ideas and emotions.

People that believe in the healing power of art to connect and spread good things in this world that definitely needs more love.

People that just need to do something creative.

People like YOU.

To make that happen I'll start with two steps:

1. Start a newsletter to share my journey and also share creative photo tips, call outs, interesting things I come across and everything that I will learn in the process;

and

2. Start a closed community to inspire you to take action and take your photography to the next level.

My goal is to create a welcoming environment to empower everyone to make more art and hold ourselves accountable. I'll be organizing group projects and private events just for us to meet, share ideas and hang out.

To follow my journey and be part of the community, sign up below.

Looking forward to seeing you on the other side.

Lots of love and sweets,

Juliana :)

PS: I would love to know your story too. Do you feel the same? So let’s stay in touch. I’m sure we can make our dreams come true… together.