We can forget our own stories. Most people who know me today would never guess that I once aspired to be a wildlife photographer, travel writer, and Southern California lifestyle enthusiast (which I suppose we’d call an influencer today—lol). I’ve always been drawn to the chill lifestyle and wanted to share the wonders of life—and I still do!
It was a dream in progress during my late teens and early twenties until the day all my photography equipment, including lenses, batteries, and more, was lost—or stolen—during my cross-country U-Haul journey back home to San Diego. I never quite got to the bottom of that loss. It was devastating and overwhelming, especially since most of it was given to me or collected through meaningful sources—family and friends. Sadly, at that point in my life, I saw it as a huge defeat, and it caused my mindset to pivot in a new direction. I didn’t attempt to (re)establish my equipment or creative resources.
Instead, I chose a different path that led me to entrepreneurship. I started my own business at age 24 and have continued with entrepreneurship to this day. It would be years before I picked up a “real” camera again—shoutout to the Sony a6000, which is now my jam—and not just a smartphone.
I didn’t realize, or even remember, how much I loved being behind a lens—whether as a profession or as an extension of my creative identity. I am a creator, and I love creating. I’m inspired by the visual outcome and the stories I can share about what I’ve witnessed and how my senses were heightened in those moments. These captures require attention and awareness and hold onto the soul, creating core memories.
I hope this inspires you to collect, connect, and add to your collections. Better yet, I hope it inspires you to start collecting and creating, sparking a conscious awakening that supports the life you truly desire.
These captures and inspirations are part of a larger vision and goal: to create a community that encourages you to tap into your own passion projects and follow your inner compass—your intuitions—that lead you to your creative dreams, or perhaps back to dreams that didn’t take hold or shape for whatever reason. Life can get messy and interfere with our creativity and dreams!
These captures are created and curated with patience, perseverance, and respect for both people and the planet. They reflect an authentic warmth in my style of creativity, filled with heart for the process.
I am beyond grateful for choosing paths of curiosity while staying mindful of the fact that we are all human. I’m proud of the senses and knowledge I carry with me today, which allow me to see the wonders and questions of the world.
This includes, but is not limited to, the awesomeness, the good, the bad, and the indifferent aspects of people and the planet.
P.O.V.: Stay connected to yourself, stay curious, disrupt the human experience, find alignments, and manifest them.
“The surface is boring… depth is where we find answers to our wonders!” (If no one has claimed this quote, it’s mine.)
Let’s get conscious and creative. Let’s push forward to create curiosity, find captures, and inspire both new and seasoned creators to do the same.
My Best with SMILES-Lulu:)
