This one's a bit different than my cover photo right? You'll see why soon.
To fully immerse yourself in this story, I recommend listening to 'Seventh Heaven' by Inoha. Its lyrics capture the yearning and bittersweet beauty of this chapter in my journey. Let it play as you walk this trail with me.
***IGNORE THIS The Crossroads of Closure PUT AT END OF LAST
This realization paved the way for the next chapter in my story. It wasn’t about running back to the past but learning to appreciate the present—even if it came with complexities I hadn’t yet understood. This lesson would be reflected in my next story: The Bridge Between Us. IGNORE THIS***
A Walk Through the Lens: Learning to Let Go
In early 2024, I became close friends with a coworker. It happened fast—she and I quickly went from coworkers to best friends, spending more and more time together. And just as quickly, I found myself infatuated with her. She was all I thought about, and I dreamed of being something more.
But life has a way of steering us in directions we don’t expect. When I finally mustered up the courage to confront those feelings, she told me the truth: we were great friends, but I wasn’t someone she’d consider for a relationship. She said it kindly, but rejection never stings any less. It wasn’t the first time, and I knew it wouldn’t be the last. Still, the words didn’t stop me from feeling the way I felt.
We remained close friends, though. Our bond only grew stronger, and, in a way, that made it harder. Everyone in our lives asked me why we weren’t a couple. It felt like I had the whole world rooting for me, yet I was still up against the ropes, fighting for something that wasn’t going to happen.
I thought I was slowly coming to grips with the situation. I told myself I could move on, but looking back, I wasn’t really letting go. Then came the day that changed everything.
Photography and Prairie Dogs
I’d been nudging her for a while to join me in my photography hobby. She seemed interested but hesitant, like it wasn’t really her thing. One day, while hanging out, she suggested we go on a walk at a little trail she knew. I didn’t know much about the trail, but I trusted her instincts—and I knew it’d probably make for a great photography spot.
I packed my gear: my Canon R7 and my old-school EOS 3 film camera. As we strolled through the trail, we came across a pair of prairie dogs. They were interacting in the most charming way, showing affection and togetherness. I snapped a few shots, marveling at the detail my zoom lens could capture.
I showed her the photos, and she loved them. Her excitement sparked something in me—it was a moment of shared joy, a connection through the lens. We continued along the trail, stopping here and there for photos.
Through Her Eyes
Near the end of the walk, she wanted to try taking photos herself. I handed her the Canon R7, and she took to it instantly. She captured an incredible shot of a bridge from an angle I hadn’t even considered.
Its this photo again, who woulda thunk it? Two different people had two different perspectives on the same subject. Not everything goes your way in life, but its all a matter of perspective.
But it was her next photo that truly stood out. She took what would've become the cover photo for this portfolio if it were my own—a serene dirt trail winding through the trees, just off the main path. The photo perfectly captured how I felt in that moment: surrounded by beauty, but with an overwhelming sense of loneliness.
Despite being by her side, I felt isolated. I wished I could reach out, hold her hand, and feel something more. But that wasn’t my reality.
Back to Square One
After that day, I found myself spiraling back into old feelings. What I thought was acceptance turned out to be a fragile façade. Seeing her texts, DMs, or Snaps sent me into emotional overdrive. I didn’t want anyone else—I just wanted her.
This was the beginning of the third act of my 2024 story, a chapter still unfolding.
Reflections
This moment on the trail reminded me of why I love photography. It’s a way to process emotions that words can’t always express. Even when I’m overwhelmed, the act of capturing a moment slows everything down. It lets me see the world—and myself—with clarity I often struggle to find.
While this story doesn’t have a neat ending yet, it’s a part of my journey, and it deserves its place in this portfolio. It’s messy, but that’s life.
If you’ve ever felt the pull of unrequited love or the weight of yearning, I hope this story and these photos resonate with you. Photography is my way of navigating the highs and lows, and maybe it can be yours too.
The Shift to Stillness
Through our friendship, I learned to appreciate the value of connection, even when it wasn't the kind I longed for. But understanding and accepting that difference didn’t happen overnight—it was a process, one filled with quiet moments of reflection and self-discovery. One of those moments came just days later, with a camera in hand and a buzzing bumblebee to guide me. You can read about it in my next story, 'Finding Stillness in the Swarm'
Here's a photo of a duck because I just want to show off how cute it is :)