Hello friends!
This month, I turn 28.
Less than 3 years ago, I quit my job in the high tech sector to pursue a “foolish dream” that many well-wishers warned me against. That leap of faith into the unknown has since turned my life into one crazy adventure that has me scrambling to keep up. Who could have guessed that one day, clients would be flying me all over the United States, and to places like Laos and South Korea and the Dominican Republic? (Perhaps South Africa or the Amazon one of these days? Yes??) Or that on a semi-regular basis, strangers would approach saying they’ve heard all about me, and that I’ve been a major inspiration? (Flattering and very, very humbling at the same time.) Or that “Junshien Photography” would quickly evolve from a one-man operation, editing late into the night, into “Junshien International Photographers,” with a small but growing team of creatives spread around the nation? (Well, we still edit late into the night, but that’s besides the point. =P)
I’ll be honest. Despite how good things look on the outside, some days I feel like I’m still trying to figure things out as I go, still putting pieces of this plane together while it’s flying a thousand miles an hour. Plenty of mistakes have been made along the way, and I have more than my fair share of “I can’t believe I screwed this up again” moments. Whenever I read about those who have gone out and done great things, I’m always humbled at how much more I still need to learn and grow.
But even with all the blunders and successes of the past few years, I know that the next several years–decades, even–are going to blow everything out of the water. There is a saying by Glade Byron Addams: “Chase down your passion like it’s the last bus of the night.” I fully intend to continue living out that relentless, unflinching pursuit of the extraordinary life, and to help others find and chase their dreams too. My friends, for those of you who have come along for the ride, I’m warning you that this adventure has barely begun, and there are still a great many dreams and goals waiting to be pursued!
And so here is my birthday wish:
Some of you have been my friends for over a decade. Some of you have been following my blog for many years now, even before I knew I wanted to become a photographer. Some of you took the chance with me when I was barely starting out in my craft. Would you please leave a memory in the comments down below? No matter where this crazy journey of life takes me, I never want to forget my roots. I never want to forget where I have come from, the early struggles, my amateurish attempts at trying to find my voice, all those halting, baby steps that need to be made before any leap can occur. It could be a memory of how lousy I was as an engineering student. Or a conversation we had about how scary post-college life would be. Or the time I asked you for advice on how to use Photoshop. Or that one time I was so excited about some picture I took with my point and shoot, but you thought it was just alright. Or … well, pretty much any memory that you think will keep me grounded. =D
After this is done, I’m going to print it out and save it. And years from now, whenever I need to be reminded of where I’ve come from, I’ll have your memories to thank.
So please leave a comment! A sentence, a paragraph or two, whatever. Thank you, my friends! I couldn’t have made it this far without your support. :)
“I remember when …”
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Update: Wow, thank you EVERYBODY for all your wonderful messages. I had expected maybe only a couple dozen comments, but you guys blew me away. I’m very touched by what you’ve written, and I’ve read every message at least twice. Thank you so much for being a part of my life! I know I’m better off because of you. :’)
by Junshien
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