How I Fell in Love with Photography (Again)

I got my first camera in the early 2000s when I was a pink-haired teen in a small town in the south of Brazil. It was a tiny compact thing. I still remember how excited I was to have my own camera and how quickly that excitement turned into frustration. I wanted to take beautiful photos, artistic ones to express myself and channel my feisty, rebellious teenage creativity - I also wanted bokehs! But my little camera didn’t allow any control, no way to really experiment. So I mostly ended up taking photos of friends at school and self-portraits. They were still fun and told stories, but I wanted more.

It wasn’t until early 2011, when I moved to London, that I had the chance to get a proper camera. I was in my early twenties, had just landed my first job and paycheck, and decided to finally invest in photography. I was clueless though, so I walked into a camera shop, asked for help, and walked out with a Nikon D7000 and an 18–55mm lens. I was so excited. I finally had a camera that could do the things I imagined.

I signed up for a one-month photography in-person course to learn the basics and a bit about the history of photography. Wanting more, I then did a comprehensive online course that gave me access to tutors, so I could ask questions and get feedback as I practiced. I started to understand composition, depth of field, light... and photography started to feel more possible.

But I was still very shy. I didn’t feel confident enough to photograph people in the streets. So I only took my camera out when I was traveling, visiting family, or somewhere I knew I’d be around animals - that’s when I started photographing lots of cats, my favourite models.

Still, photography was something I kept at a distance. It was the thing I’d mention if someone asked, “What would you do if you didn’t have to worry about money?” My answer was always: I’d be a travel photographer!!! It felt like such a fantasy that I didn’t even consider trying to pursue it. It was almost like I didn’t think I was allowed or could possibly be good enough.

Fast forward eight years. I finally decided to upgrade to a lighter, more discreet camera. I bought a Fujifilm X-T2 and a 35mm lens, which I still use and absolutely love. It’s the perfect lens for portraits, and it finally motivated me to experiment more. But still, I didn’t do it often. My cat models started looking better than ever though.

But then, in early 2023, everything changed. I started spending time with the great Alan Schaller, and watching him capture the world around him was eye-opening and exhilarating. It was the first time I saw someone close to me doing the thing I had always dreamed about—and doing it so confidently, so effortlessly, and most importantly, having so much fun doing it. Alan was very encouraging and that was the push I needed. I’ve always struggled with confidence, especially when it comes to putting myself or my work out there. But having someone I admire tell me I could do it… that I should try… it motivated me deeply.

That’s when I took my first real steps into street photography - and opened an Instagram account (such a late bloomer, I know!). I've recently upgraded to a Leica Q2 and, even though I'm now “stuck” with just one lens, I’m genuinely loving the challenge and the freedom that comes with it. I’ll write about that first day out in another post, it deserves its own space, but for now, I just wanted to share where it all began. If you’re reading this and photography feels like an unreachable dream to you too, just know I get it. And maybe this is your sign to take a small step, even if it’s just bringing your camera with you next time you leave the house. You won’t regret it, I promise!