When I was in college, I had a photography professor, who told me that taking photographs of children and sunsets was not real photography. I went to a very small college and there was only one professor of photography. I had him Fall and Spring semesters for four years.

I loved black and white medium format, landscape photography, and taking photographs of my cousin and her toddler in preschool years. I did not often hear any positive feedback in our weekly critiques for four years.

I continued my black-and-white landscape photography throughout most of my 20s. It’s something I had loved since I was 13. When I no longer had access to a dark room, I gradually stopped taking photographs. Some of what I loved was my time and creativity in the dark room.

I have recently started taking pictures every day again. I feel so much delight, fun and joy everyday, and connection with myself and nature. I feel like a teenager again, so free. It is just for me.

Many years later, I feel grateful that I found my way back to photography, nature and children.