From Panic to Wheat Field Wonder: An Atypical Year at Work

My laptop's untimely demise meant my portfolio was toast. Talk about peak summer stress! Website? Bare. Instagram? Crickets. Panic threatened to paralyze, but photographer-down wasn't an option. While I tried to reach out to my past clients and asked them to send me photos we took I saw an Instagram story, that someone was looking for a photographer. "Zero chance," I thought, portfolio-less and all. But something urged me to reach out. To my surprise, they said yes!

Excitement battled apprehension. They agreed without seeing my work, but what if...well, let's just say pepper spray became my "just-in-case" accessory. The meeting location was, shall we say, unique. The median strip of a bustling Kyiv highway wasn't exactly what I had envisioned. I met HR there and then a boss came on a smart car. "Hop in," she chirped, gesturing to the trunk. Trunk? Did I mention the trunk? Let's just say my entrance was unforgettable. I still remember the faces of drivers behind us who saw me in this tiny little trunk.

We arrived at our destination: a vast, golden wheat field ablaze with a breathtaking sunset. This wasn't just any field; it was a portal to memories. I remembered childhood summers spent at my grandma's village, exploring endless cornfields that felt like magical labyrinths. This wheat field held the same magic, and the connection to Ukrainian land hit me hard.

Robbery fears melted away, replaced by the thrill of the unexpected. This "no-portfolio" job turned into a year-long treasure trove of opportunities: families, maternity shoots, fashion sessions amidst the swaying wheat. Every sunset painted the field in a new glow, every tractor passing by added a touch of local life. It was photography magic, fueled by pure serendipity.

This experience taught me more than just the art of the shot. It reminded me to embrace the unknown, to trust my instincts, and to find beauty in the most unexpected places. And who knows, maybe your next photography adventure awaits in a random Instagram story or a surprise ride in a car trunk. 

Now, that's a story worth capturing!