From Setbacks to Success: How Faith and Photography Helped Me Rise Again

In 2019, I embarked on a journey that would become "Capturing Emotions", a photography business born from my love of connecting with people and capturing their most authentic moments. The excitement of starting something new was electric, and I eagerly threw myself into building my portfolio, shooting weddings, headshots and capturing the essence of each client through my lens.

A Dream Delayed

But just as my business began to take shape, life had other plans. The world was hit by Covid, and like so many others, my husband and I had to make tough decisions. We chose to return to our home in the serene countryside of Alsace, France, thinking it would be the perfect place to ride out the storm. We packed up our life in the Bay Area, including all my photography gear into a container, and prepared for what we thought would be our permanent move.

However, this didn’t go as planned either. New job opportunities for my husband arose back in the Bay Area, and with our visas needing renewal, we found ourselves stuck in Europe for three long years. My beloved camera and equipment sat in storage, thousands of miles away, while I faced one of the most challenging periods of my life.

The Struggles That Shaped Me

During this time, we continued our battle to get pregnant. I saw many doctors and had a hard time with them listening to me. I was finally diagnosed with endometriosis, a condition that brought physical chronic pain and emotional turmoil. The surgery I underwent in 2022 left me bedridden for months, and between the lockdown and being stuck home during my recovery, I entered an overwhelming period of panic attacks. Staying home is not the best when you suffer from severe social anxiety. Simple tasks such as checking the mail became daunting challenges.

During this time, we continued our battle to get pregnant. I saw many doctors and had a hard time with them listening to me. I was finally diagnosed with endometriosis, a condition that brought physical chronic pain and emotional turmoil. The surgery I underwent in 2022 left me bedridden for months, and between the lockdown and being stuck home during my recovery, I entered an overwhelming period of panic attacks. Staying home is not the best when you suffer from severe social anxiety. Simple tasks such as checking the mail became daunting challenges.

Yet, in the darkness, a light began to shine. In 2022, I found a church, a community and reconnected with my faith. This brought me peace and strength. This spiritual awakening was transformative, and later that year, I made the life-changing decision to get baptized. It was a deeply personal experience that renewed my sense of hope and gave me the courage to face my challenges head-on.

With the support of therapy and my faith, I slowly began to rebuild my life. I started to work as a translator to stay productive, but there was still a void—something was missing. That creative spark, the joy I felt when capturing moments through my lens, was absent.

An Inspirational Return

A few months ago, we were installed in our new home in the Bay Area, and I finally decided to pick up my camera again. I was nervous—what if I’d lost my touch? But the moment I looked through that viewfinder, everything clicked back into place. I remembered why I fell in love with photography in the first place: the ability to help people relax in front of the camera, to make them feel seen and beautiful, to connect on a deeper level. And knowing they will feel like that, everytime they take a look at the pictures I took. What a joy.

Then came a pivotal moment—a pro bono gig for a non-profit organization in San Francisco. I was tasked with taking portraits of an incredible team of women, and as I worked, I felt my passion reignite. Their appreciation and enthusiasm for the photos reminded me of my purpose. This is what I’m meant to do.

As a gesture of gratitude, the team invited us to walk with them at the San Francisco Pride parade, my "Capturing Emotions" logo proudly displayed on their cart. It was a powerful and emotional experience, one that solidified my decision to restart my photography business. Being able to be surrounded by people was the biggest win when I think of my anxiety issues.

Embracing the Future

Today, I’m back in the Bay Area, fully committed to "Capturing Emotions" once again. My journey has been anything but easy, but it’s through these challenges that I’ve discovered my true strength and resilience. I’m not just a photographer—I’m someone who understands the beauty and messiness of life, and I’m here to capture the best of it.

At "Capturing Emotions," I believe that every person has a story worth telling. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, marking a new beginning, or simply embracing who you are, I’m here to help you capture those moments in a way that feels authentic and true to you.

Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. I can’t wait to see where this path leads next.