reflections on success

Last week I only did one post. It wasn’t because I was deliberating over some insurmountable obstacle on this artistic journey; it’s because I’ve actually been very busy. Life is a funny thing. You follow your dreams because you cannot ignore them any more and you’re tired of letting them sit in second or third or even last place. And then things start to happen. Call it success if you must but I think it is really fulfilment. Living out your dreams and being who you were meant to be. I am a strong believer in the notion that our lives have purpose and we have an obligation to uncover our purpose and then to live it.

This post marks the beginning of a mini-series that I’ve been working on over the past two weeks. Over the next little while I am going to share four stories of photographers on this journey like me, and who have found success. My hope is that their words and stories will encourage you in your own journey, not that you will see them as a place to strive for (destination) but more as an indication of the different paths you might find yourself on if you follow your heart. These four photographers are all personal friends of mine that I did not know before I started learning photography. They have enriched me both personally and artistically; I’m so very grateful for their presence in my life and on this journey.

A few words about the image in today’s post. My friend Stuart Sipahigil is holding a contest over on his blog and it ends at midnight tonight. This is my entry in that contest. Please enter as I know you will love the process of creating your images as much as I did plus there are wonderful prizes–not just one but three.

Here’s a bit more behind this image. When I was about 11 years old, my parents added a clothing boutique to the list of their businesses. I must admit that it was one of my favourite parts, even edging out the bakery they had, after all a bottomless wardrobe is a girl’s dream. After hours, I would try out the shoes, the dresses, the bags and the accessories and once in a while I’d be allowed to keep a piece or two. But like all good Chinese parents, this did not come without having to work for it. One of my labours was that I had to do the window displays for the store. On a Saturday afternoon or Sunday, I would step into the large windows facing Main Street and dress the mannequins and display the merchandise. If only I’d had the accessories in the window above –a wooden boat and gorgeous wallpaper–I would have really gone to town. I have always loved a great window display and now I’ve discovered a whole new angle thanks to Stuart and Eli Reinholdtsen. Thanks guys!