The Backstory of My Why
How did I find empowerment through photography? Let’s start from the beginning.
I navigated the corporate world for three decades, finding contentment but never complete fulfillment. Despite the steady paychecks, there was an underlying longing for something more significant, a desire to build a meaningful legacy that transcended the typical nine-to-five grind. While I relished my job, I was always exploring passion projects on the side. I refinished furniture as a hobby once, and I renovated and flipped two houses. I also renovated and designed my forever house; I started an investment club, a book club, a neighborhood association, and so on.
With every passion project I took on, I also imagined myself leading in that role—maybe I could be Martha Stewart or have my own HGTV show. This duality was my norm, but deep down, I was a closet entrepreneur and wanna-be thought leader wanting to make a lasting impact.
The Long Shift to Entrepreneurship
Let’s talk about the duality of my life. I was a career data analyst, part of a small team working on data projects behind a cubicle, versus the creative person I envisioned myself as who existed in a world with cameras, where I was the center of attention. That’s like jumping from the shadows into the afternoon sun. What was keeping me from exploring the latter further? I fear being seen, visible, stepping out into the world, and judged. I didn’t see the warm and welcoming nature of the afternoon sun; I saw a scalding hot mess.
So, I pursued fulfillment within the confines of my job by pursuing bolder ideas, which was like pushing against the walls of a cement box. It took me 25 years to recognize this confinement, and it was through my photography side hustle that the realization dawned upon me. Photography opened my eyes to the catch-22 I found myself in—a cycle of craving visibility and fearing visibility simultaneously.
Empowerment Through Photography
From the moment I first held a camera, photography became my avenue for empowerment. It started as a medium for creative expression, quickly evolving into a side hustle with family photography gigs, then portraits. As any photographer, I also explored self-portraits and soon realized that being seen through a camera lens could be transformative—an invitation to show up in life.
My lens became a mirror reflecting raw and fearful beginnings, which blossomed into unapologetic beauty, strength, and resilience. Through this journey, I grew up and found unwavering confidence. Now, I aspire to inspire women to break free from societal norms, redefine their self-image, and celebrate their unique identities, stepping out from the shadows of invisibility.
Angela Atelier, my photography studio, was born from this ethos—a space dedicated to redefining women’s self-image and inspiring unshakeable confidence through the art of personal branding and portrait photography. Every click of the camera shutter aimed to capture the essence of empowerment, celebrating the strength and resilience within each individual. The studio’s mission was to create stunning portraits and shape a narrative of empowerment, encouraging each client to embrace their journey and rewrite their story.
Conclusion
I found my true calling and purpose in transitioning from a corporate career to entrepreneurship. Rediscovering my “why” and embracing photography as a transformative force allowed me to break free from internal limitations, growing into a woman unafraid of claiming her visibility and voice. I’ve created a platform beyond photography through Angela Atelier, empowering women to redefine their self-image and reclaim their narrative. The lens has become a tool of liberation, capturing authentic stories and empowering individuals to stand tall in their truth.
Unique FAQs
- How did photography play a role in your transformation?
- Photography catalyzed my transformation, allowing me to embrace visibility and break free from the constraints that limited my growth in the corporate world. It empowered me to redefine my self-image and allowed me to inspire others to do the same.
- What inspired the creation of Angela Atelier?
- Angela Atelier was born from the desire to redefine women’s self-image and inspire confidence through empowering portrait photography. It aimed to provide a space for individuals to rewrite their narratives and celebrate their authentic selves.
- How do you incorporate empowerment into your photography?
- Every photo session at Angela Atelier is designed to capture each individual’s strength and resilience, creating a space for them to embrace their journey, rewrite their story, and celebrate their unique identity.
