How I Became a Photographer
When I was a little girl, I dreamt of becoming… * drum roll * … a veterinarian.
When I went to college, I studied… music education…and then pre-law sociology…and then I dropped out just 18 credit hours shy of my bachelor’s degree.
So, how did I become a photographer?
This story isn’t a super dramatic one- Lifetime won’t be beating down my door to make a movie about my life or anything- but I think there is a nugget of wisdom here that everyone can learn from and hopefully apply to their own life for a more fulfilling life.
This story begins with a little girl who was considered a “gifted” child, and who built her entire identity on academic achievement, but in reality probably had undiagnosed adhd the entire time.
I poured all of my time and effort into achieving to prove my worth from a very early age. I tested into the gifted program in the first grade and prided myself on my effortless straight As and high reading level. I took every AP and advanced class available beginning in the 7th grade. Artistic endeavors were always something I enjoyed greatly, but I was told and believed that there was no future in being an artist. So, I pressed on with academic achievement. Of course, as many gifted kids do, I hit burnout in high school. I graduated a year early to escape the misery, but I was still expected to go to college. SO, even though I had no idea what I wanted to do, I enrolled as a full time student at NMSU.
Of course, my need for achievement based validation continued, but I figured maybe I could at least enjoy it a little more if I majored in something I loved, like the arts.
I double majored in music education and studio art and signed up for 19 credit hours in my first semester, against the caution of my academic advisor.
Unsurprisingly, I quickly reached burnout. I completely self destructed, actually. I had successfully taken something I loved and sucked all the joy out of it.
I dropped out, re-enrolled, dropped out, re-enrolled- this cycle would continue for years, with many changes in field of study, and tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt.
In the end, I realized that my pursuit of a college degree had nothing to do with what I actually wanted out of my life, but rather, was rooted in my internal need for achievement based validation.
I officially withdrew from college for the last time in 2015, and never looked back. I got a job, began slowly repaying my debts, and started focusing on what I wanted rather than what I thought was expected out of me.
Somewhere in that timeframe, my husband randomly gave me a camera as a gift. I didn’t know anything about photography at the time, but the very first time I held the viewfinder up to my eye and snapped a shot, I knew I wanted to learn everything I could.
When our youngest son was born in 2016, my husband and I made the decision for me to stay home with the kids. We couldn’t afford daycare costs, and me being home to cover the household duties would allow my husband to focus more on his career. Suddenly, I had more time to pour into learning more about photography.
Slowly, I sharpened my skills, and five years later, I officially opened my business.
Now, I am building a life based on what makes me happy, and on what I love to do. I still struggle with that need for validation sometimes, but it’s a work in progress.
Hi, I’m Cheyenne
I’m a homeschooling mom, gardening enthusiast, animal lover, and portrait photography located in the small town of Belen, New Mexico. I proudly serve the families of the greater Albuquerque Metro area and create beautiful, unique, and timeless portraits for families, children, and pets.
Let’s Connect!
If you and your family love having fun and showing up as your uniquely awesome selves, then I think we are going to get along great. I can help you create memorable portraits that stand out from the rest, and that you will treasure as the days turn to years and the years turn to decades.
