Around the age of 13 or 14, when life felt confusing due to those teenage hormones, I stumbled upon an unexpected hobby—taking pictures of myself. Growing up in a family that didn't encourage sharing emotions, especially the not-so-happy ones, made me search for ways to connect with myself.
My journey began with a plea to my dad for a camera. I initially wanted it to make films, not take photos. After some resistance, my dad finally got me a camera when he saw how down I was feeling. But instead of making films, I found joy in taking pictures.
In the beginning, I used my phone to snap photos, mostly to edit and make myself look better. But deep down, I was on a quest to truly understand who I was beyond what I saw in the mirror.
With every photo, I found myself experimenting with props, costumes, and lighting, even though I had no idea about the technical stuff. I later realized I was unintentionally using techniques like Rembrandt lighting and split light, playing with light to create different moods.
Because I didn't have many friends and was pretty shy, I ended up being my own photographer and model. Photography became a way for me to express emotions I couldn't put into words. Each photo became a small step in getting to know the hidden parts of myself—a mix of beauty and darkness.
Initially, my inner self leaned towards the darker side, but as I grew up, she became lighter. Sometimes she stayed silent for days, months, or even years, but she always wanted to be heard.
Taking self-portraits turned out to be a way for me to better understand myself. I'm more of a thinker than a talker, so art became my language to express emotions and discover different sides of me. Creating images also helped me process and deal with difficult past experiences by giving them a shape.
If you love taking pictures and want to explore yourself along the way, you're in the right place. Join me on this journey—grab your camera or phone, and let's start shooting! I'll be here as your guide and companion as we navigate the adventure of self-discovery through photography.