I first picked up a camera at age 11. I spent hours in the backyard photographing flowers, insects, frogs, and birds. That was when my fascination with wildlife truly began. Every time I discovered and photographed a new species, it felt like a scientific discovery! I would compare my images on Google to confirm their identity and add them to my growing list of sightings.

I didn’t touch a camera again until age 19. In 2020, I decided to dive back into photography. I spent hours researching gear and eventually invested in a used Sony a9 II, a macro prime lens, and a 200-600 zoom. Almost immediately, I became completely obsessed. I watched countless tutorials, eager to understand every technical aspect. I wanted the camera to feel like an extension of myself, a tool to fully express my creative eye.

I went out almost every day, often sitting for hours until I began to notice. The feeling reminds me of those 3D books: if you stare long enough, you start to see things. I wasn’t just addicted to photography itself; I was addicted to the state of being it brought me. My mind would go quiet, I’d feel calm, content, and meditative. Absolute bliss! Photography became a source of revitalization, a way to reconnect with the world and myself.