The Real Reason I Do So Many Photoshoots | Nov. 22 Friday Forward

As a child, I dreamt of seeing my face in magazines or playing a character on my favorite TV show. I would beg my parents to let me audition or sign me up for an agency. But the reality was, they simply weren’t in a position to support those dreams. Fast forward to college, and suddenly, the limitations of childhood began to fall away. I didn’t need anyone’s permission or a ride to auditions—I was in control of my future.

My love for creativity had always been present. I spent years curating my Instagram, using a tripod and remote to create my own visual stories. But even with those tools, there were ideas I couldn’t bring to life alone, and the best concepts often came to me during one of the most challenging periods of my life: battling depression. It started in 2021 and during those moments, photoshoots became more than just a creative outlet—they were an act of self-reclamation.

Depression changed my body and the way I perceived my own beauty. Working in an industry where being in front of a camera is part of the job, I often felt like I didn’t belong. I remember I felt disgusted after creating a TikTok. I never wanted to be in my friend's photos. The mirror reflected someone I barely recognized, and I struggled to feel at home in my own skin. That’s when I made a choice: I began auditioning for films and collaborating with local photographers—not to seek validation, but to remind myself that change is not something to fear.

Photoshoots became my way of celebrating the person I was becoming, even on the days I didn’t feel worthy of celebration. Each picture captured a moment in time when I was fighting to keep moving forward. They weren’t just photos—they were proof of my resilience. For the first time, I could look at an image of myself and think, That woman is strong. She’s beautiful.

It was far from easy. Photoshoots were a way to push me forward on my journey of self-confidence, not to act as a cure. The truth is, we all experience change. In college, it’s common for our bodies to evolve as we navigate new challenges. What I’ve learned is that you don’t need professional photos or a stage to know your worth. You are beautiful because you are here. You are strong because you’ve survived. And you deserve to love the person you see in the mirror, no matter what season of life you’re in.

I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to do photoshoots with Coulture Magazine and work on short films with the Carolina Film Association ! These experiences would not have been possible without the support of my fellow students, who believed in me and gave me a chance—even during times when I struggled to believe in myself.

To anyone comparing their current self to their past, I urge you to stop looking back at your high school photos or old Snap memories, wishing for the body you once had. You are no longer that person—you are someone older, wiser, and stronger. Celebrate the growth that brought you to this moment.

For this Friday Forward: The Power of Persistence??, I want to emphasize that loving yourself through life’s inevitable changes is one of the greatest acts of strength. So, let’s celebrate all beauty. Because surviving and thriving through change is nothing short of extraordinary. I believe in you.