My Friend DEVY

Hi!!! So the other day my friend Devy was visiting from out of town, and we decided to go out to shoot for a bit! I'll be posting some of her photos here cause she's UUHAMAZING, but also she's a super cool inspiring human who's literally living the dream. We sat down to coffee to chat, and I ended up asking her to write for my blog cause she's just so friggin' inspiring and I knew that other people would need to hear what she has to say! And she said freak YEEEEEAAH 😂 😂 😂

So here are her words and her photos...🤗 

Devy 

Age - 27 going on 57

Fav pass time - Internet surfing lol I think the internet is the best invention ever

Fav friend - you omg

So explain a little what you do and how you got to where you are? 

I am a full time video producer and I take photos for fun :p 

Growing up, my dad always had a camera. Well apparently he was kinda of a photographer as well (I found out about this recently which I thought was pretty cool!) He wouldn't let me use his film camera because films were expensive. He knew that I had always an interest in cameras so he would put batteries in the camera w/o any films just to make the flash light go off. He would then let me use it. I still remembered how excited I got whenever I clicked and the flash went off. It was incredible. The feeling when you receive a Christmas present... yeah that's the same feeling I got when I clicked and the flash went off. 

That interest sat in the back of my mind until I took a class in college - Photojournalism. I bought my first DSLR without even knowing how to use it. I invested my free time in it and always finding myself smitten w the craft :D

What made you want to start taking photos/ videos?

I started as a filmmaker taking videos and I realized I was buying more and more hard drives to keep the footage. I thought -- Well I can't keep doing this. I would run out of money. lol. Hard drives are expensive. Maybe I should take pictures instead. hahaha That was kinda how it got started. 

I mean don't get me wrong photography was also a genuine interest in me since young. 

Also, I like the challenge that comes with photography. It requires good observation and skills. For that reason, the good visuals have all the elements fall into place perfectly. These elements include light, color, tones, contrast, the subject matter, movement, expression and the proper composition which contribute to that single precise moment which may last only for a split second. In that moment where everything falls perfectly, I shoot. 

Was it hard to start?

Yes! OMGosh! It was!

I remembered sneaking to public events, begging them to let me snap some pics lol... Assuring them I wasn't shady. I had no idea what I was doing. I was confused. I had no idea how to use a camera let alone knowing what ISO, shutter speed, aperture was. 

But one thing I had was PASSION. 

And also I have my best friend all along y'all -- JESUS :')

me: J, I cant.

J: Yes. You can!

me: Ohkay... T.T

Do you still find that you enjoy taking photos or videos even if it's for a job now too? How do you balance passion and work?

I am blessed to have that kind of career that encapsulates my passions, my purpose. 

And yes. I do have some mornings where I don't feel like going to work. But you know what? At the end of the day, work is work.

And when I start thinking that way -- I have to remind myself why I started and who I started for. I don't want to get too caught up in the task and the menial and in turn miss out on living to my full potential. 

Any tips you'd give to people pursuing their passion?

To me the greatest mistake in life is giving up. And I think a lot of people underestimate the power of consistency. They see no results after a month or two and they give up which is a huge mistake. 

For example, a writer who just got his book published. People would always wonder how he got his book published but not a lot of people would ask how he got to be a good writer in the first place. 

You know, people always wonder about the success but one thing they would never ask is to see the journey, the sacrifices they had to make to get to where they are. 

You know -- Hang out with other creators and get inspired. Don't be shy to try new things and step out of your comfort zone. Don't be afraid. I think a lot of times, I spent my time being afraid of people's judgements. And in the end, ideas died. I have learnt to believe that I am talented. I am made from greatness and I am destined for greatness. You just need to have a lot of confidence and have fun! :D 

Thanks for popping in!! I hope these words inspired and encouraged you as much as they did me 🤗 🤗 🤗

-N

Also here's a pic of the time I put a scrunchie in Devy's hair and she became a whole new person 😂 😂 😂