Lens Artists Challenge #339: Life’s Changes

lens-artists, Photography

Anne is our lovely guide this week, and she really made me think… a long time before deciding.

Honestly, I’ve been through a lot of big changes in my life that really shaped who I am today. Moving to a different country when I was six opened my eyes to a crazy mix of cultures and perspectives that totally changed how I see people and the world. Each move came with its own set of challenges and opportunities that helped me figure out who I am. Then, as a teenager, I moved again, which opened up my world even more and made me more adaptable, even though it was tough to leave what I knew behind. Changing countries again in my early twenties really tested my resilience and made me crave new experiences and friendships. And losing both my parents before I hit 25 hit me hard; it forced me to figure out how to deal with grief and find my own strength. Everything that happened after that was life-changing, pushing me to live in the moment and really appreciate life because it’s so unpredictable. All these experiences taught me just how important it is to be adaptable, empathetic, and resilient as I navigate this wild journey called life.

Life’s like a road that you travel on
When there’s one day here and the next day gone
Sometimes you bend, sometimes you stand
Sometimes you turn your back to the wind
There’s a world outside every darkened door
Where blues won’t haunt you anymore
Where the brave are free and lovers soar
Come ride with me to the distant shore

Life Is a Highway ‧ Rascal Flatts ‧ 2006

On the road

Now let’s talk photography. It’s been my sidekick ever since I got my first camera back in 1981. At first, I was all about snapping pictures of my family; my sisters’ kids were basically my go-to models. Those early days were all about capturing those cute, candid moments and silly snapshots that really showed what being a kid was all about. As I got older, I started branching out. I started to take photos of my friends, our fun hangouts, all the laughter, and those fleeting moments that turned into priceless memories. Plus, every new place I visited sparked my creativity. I found myself chasing after cool light patterns and unique angles in these unfamiliar spots, just wanting to capture the vibe of each place I went.

With the advent of digital photography, a world of possibilities opened up for me. The freedom to take countless images, unconstrained by the cost of film, was exhilarating and enhanced my passion for documenting my family’s journey. My three boys grew up quickly, and their milestones are well documented, even as they resisted my attempts to take photos during their teenage years. Those challenges changed our relationship, yet I cherished the moments I captured before they stepped into a more independent chapter of their lives.

As our kids grew up, we stumbled upon this awesome chance to dive into travel photography. My husband and I got to travel more, exploring all kinds of places together. It was a great way to keep our travel memories alive and got me super excited to try out different photography styles. Every spot we visited was a new opportunity to capture the beauty of nature, the lively hustle of cities, cool architectural details, and those peaceful landscapes, really adding to my portfolio and changing how I see things as a photographer. My sister always joked that I viewed the world through my camera lens, which is why I call it “the world as I see it – through my lens.”

When I first started blogging, it was all about just sharing my photos—no stories, just the images doing the talking. Many of them were digital art projects, but then I got into blogging challenges, especially those focused on photography, like the Lens Artists challenge, and that totally changed my game. These prompts made me think about adding some narrative to my pics, which got me more engaged with my work. Digging through my old photos or heading out to snap new ones really shift how I saw my photography. Plus, checking out all the awesome stuff from other bloggers helped me find a great community of folks who pushed me to explore new ideas and subjects.

Being invited to join the team of contributors for these challenges was a pivotal moment. It not only pulled me deeper into the blogging community but also expanded my horizons as a photographer. I found myself part of a vibrant exchange of creativity, where I could share my experiences and learn from others. This sense of belonging and collaboration has enriched my journey, solidifying photography as not just a pastime, but a vibrant part of my life that continues to evolve and inspire me.

Thanks to Anne for giving me a chance to share my thoughts on life and photography. Next week, I will once again host the challenge, which provides an excellent opportunity for everyone to explore their creativity and showcase their unique perspectives with me, maybe try something new. I would love to have you join me. I will post the challenge prompt Saturday at noon Eastern time, so be sure to check in! If you’d like to join in the challenge responses, but aren’t sure how to get started, look here.

34 thoughts on “Lens Artists Challenge #339: Life’s Changes”

  1. My goodness, you’ve confronted a lot of challenges in your life. You’ve developed incredible resilience and I’m extremely impressed. And you’ve developed too into a very expressive and accomplished photographer whose work I love to see and enjoy.

  2. What a wonderful selection of travel photos. How lucky you are to travel at an older age after your boys grew up.

    Some beautiful landscapes and cityscapes.

    Changing countries more than once was a journey in itself and I can see you’ve risen to the challenges you faced.

    You certainly impress me with your beautiful photography.

  3. Well! You’ve certainly had some changes over your life, Ritva! But clearly you have adapted well, learnt during the process and I’m most impressed- you clearly are one resilient lady.I always love to see your posts with your style of photography.

  5. What a journey Ritva! Thanks for sharing it with us. My challenge may have set your on that path down memory lane but your narrative and images was your vehicle. Beautiful in both areas!

  7. Thank you for sharing your story Ritva – I love how you’ve woven your life and photography stories together. Good on you for learning from life’s challenges and adapting to each new phase. Your photography is always extraordinary – your post helps to explain how you’ve come so far. Kudos to you on your ever-evolving path.

  8. Thanks for sharing more of your life and challenges Ritva. I’m in awe of your resilience and growth as a person and photographer. Your eclectic mix is wonderful and captivating.

  10. I am echoing Sofia’s comment. I do envy your collection of family photos. After high school, I lost interest in photography and didn’t pick it up again until I retired. Consequently, I missed the opportunity to have very many photographs of our children growing up.

  14. Thanks for sharing some snippets from your life Ritva, along with the lovely pictures. Even if we don’t know it, there is always someone who might be in need of some inspiration…

  15. Listening or reading what you have written I can relate to so much, especially the looking through the lens to see the world. That’s me too. Thank you for sharing this Ritva, nice to learn more about your photography journey.

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