Starting Late, But Starting Anyway: My Journey Into Photography

I never imagined I would find myself behind the lens, telling stories with light, mood and stillness. But somewhere between motherhood, rediscovering creative joy, and a quiet longing for something more meaningful, I picked up a camera… and everything changed.

For years, I worked as a professional model - the subject in front of the camera, not the person directing the frame. Photography was something I admired from a distance, reserved for those who studied it formally or had years of experience tucked under their belt.

But life has a gentle way of calling us towards new beginnings, even when we feel late to the game.

In early 2024, I was feeling creatively unfulfilled. Curious about expressing myself in a new way I decided to buy a camera for my 36th birthday. I didn’t just want any camera, I wanted an intuitive camera, one I could grow with as a photographer, lightweight and travel friendly- since I would love to have it all the time with me, and finally a camera with a timeless/vintage aesthetic. With the help of a kind and knowledgeable camera store manager in Frankfurt, I chose the Fujifilm X-T5 with a 23mm Fujinon lens. It felt like more than a purchase. To me it was more a promise to explore, to create, and to start - no matter how uncertain it felt.

So, Why Photography?

Have you ever felt the urge to start something completely new - not because you had to, but because something deep inside you wanted more? That’s exactly how I felt when I chose photography. It wasn’t just about learning to use a camera- it was about expanding my creative perspective, challenging myself, and discovering what else I was capable of beyond what I already knew. Here’s how this journey began….

I chose photography because I wanted to challenge myself- to step outside the familiar and into the unknown, where growth and discovery live. As someone with a naturally curious mind, I felt an inner pull to explore a creative part of me I hadn’t yet tapped into. I wanted to push beyond what came easy and uncover hidden potential I might have been overlooking all along.

I began my creative exploration through fashion blogging. It made sense - style and visual storytelling had always been second nature to me. But as much as I loved it, it felt like something I could do with my eyes closed. It didn’t stretch me creatively, and I knew deep down I was craving more. I wanted to explore something unfamiliar, something that would push me to evolve.

That’s when photography entered that frame and exploring videography as I grow.

From my years as a professional model, I was already immersed in visual storytelling. I often found myself acting as a creative director on set- conceptualising ideas, styling looks, guiding amateur photographers, and helping them understand how to work with models. I had learnt about light, angles, and composition by being in front of the lens at numerous photographic workshops.

I even experimented with self-portraits using my husband’s old Leica Q2, controlling the camera remotely via my phone. But standing behind the lens as the actual photographer? I was a complete novice and didn’t even know what button to push.

When I Purchased my Fujifilm X-T5, I was both excited and terrified. I remember my husband saying, “Now that the camera’s here, shall we test it out?” I paused and nervously replied, “I just got the camera, let me take it in first.” The truth was- I was afraid. Afraid of not knowing where to begin. Afraid of not being good enough.

But that fear was also the signal I needed to begin.

Photography has become more than just a creative outlet. It’s a personal journey of self-discovery. Every time I lift the camera, I feel like I’m seeing the world-and myself-through a new lens. It’s helped slow down, appreciate the details I once overlooked, and reconnect with my creative instincts in a way that feels empowering and expansive.

Choosing photography was never just about learning how to take pictures. It was about choosing growth over comfort, and courage over doubt. It’s about creating a new story from a different perspective - my own.

The Joy in Discovering The Unknown

What began as a quiet experiment soon turned into something more meaningful. Photography became my outlet, a new way of seeing the world and articulating emotion through form, light, texture, and mood. I found myself drawn to architecture, interiors, and spaces that hold memory - the lines of a staircase, the way the light hits an old hotel corridor, the elegance of symmetry and stillness.

Three months into taking up photography, I found myself capturing images I was proud of. Every photo was more than a picture - it was a story I felt lucky to tell. Then came the pivotal moment: a visit to the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Aug 2024. I wasn't there professionally, just with my family - camera in hand, chasing light and emotion through the lens. I later shared those photos online, and to my surprise, Mercedes-Benz themselves liked a couple of my posts. It wasn’t validation I was chasing… but it sparked something. A realisation that even a quiet start can still speak volumes.

Then came my first solo content shoot - at a small ice cream café, where I was invited to capture the joyful textures and ambience of summer. It was the first time I worked like a visual storyteller, not just a hobbyist. Seeing my images come to life - styled, shot and edited by me - ignited a passion I can’t unseen.

Since then, photography has changed my life.

It’s taught me slow down.

To see beauty in details I once rushed past.

To reconnect with purpose and creative fondness.

To challenge how I view light, space, and stories.

It’s not just about visuals - it’s about feeling.

I didn’t have years of technical training. I had curiosity, an eye for detail, and a lifetime of visual experience shaped by years in front of the lens. And that was enough.

Since then, photography has quietly transformed how I move through the world. It has taught me to slow down and truly see - not just look. To notice how sunlight spills onto a quiet street, how textures and shadows tell their own stories. It helped me rediscover purpose at a time when I felt creatively untethered. It has challenged my ideas of beauty, reshaped how I perceive my surroundings, and reawakened a kind of childlike curiosity I though I had outgrown. Through the lens, I’ve begun reconnecting with myself - not just as a creative but as a person finding joy in the ordinary.

I have gone on to capture spaces I admire, and tell stories that feel deeply personal - all while still learning, growing, and refining my voice.

Final Notes

So if you have ever felt like it’s too late to start something new - it’s not. The path may unfold differently than you imagined, but the only real mistake is waiting until everything feels perfect.

Start with what you have. Follow your curiosity. Let it surprise you.

Because starting late is still starting - and that’s more than enough.

Though I’m still early in my journey, I approach every project with heart, intention, and a natural eye trained by years in front of the lens. My style is guided by mood, emotion, elegance and minimalism. I strive to create images that don’t just stop the scroll - but stir something deeper.

If you are a brand, creative, or business looking for visual storytelling with soul - whether that’s product photography, lifestyle content, or behind-the-scenes narrative work - I’d love to connect.

After all, it’s never too late to start something beautiful.

And this? This is only the beginning.