If there’s one job I would happily do for free, it’s being a photographer. Photography is something I truly love. I’m not talking about just snapping random pictures or doing it for likes on social media—I mean the kind of photography that makes me stop and feel something, the kind that captures a moment I never want to forget.
Right now, my two favorite subjects are my daughter and my husband. They are my world, and through my camera lens, I get to see them in a different light. I see the small details: the way my daughter smiles with her eyes, the way my husband gently holds her hand, the laughter they share, the quiet moments they don’t even notice I’m capturing. These are the moments that matter most to me, and I feel grateful every time I’m able to freeze them in a photo.
But my love for photography doesn’t stop with my family. I love taking pictures of almost everything—food, nature, people, little objects, architecture, street scenes, even shadows on a wall. Anything can be beautiful when you look at it the right way. I often find myself admiring how sunlight falls on a cup of tea or how the sky changes color in the evening. It’s those small details, those unexpected compositions, that catch my eye. Photography helps me pay attention to life, to the beauty that’s already around us.
I especially enjoy photographing food—not as a job for a chef or a restaurant—but because I just find it so beautiful. A slice of cake, a colorful salad, a cup of tea with steam rising from it. Food tells a story too: celebrations, comfort, culture, tradition, creativity. Sometimes I’ll make a simple meal and want to take a picture before I eat, not to show off, but to remember the feeling that came with it. Maybe it was a cozy morning, or a rare quiet lunch, or a treat shared with my daughter. Those moments matter to me.
Nature is another thing I love to capture. Trees, oceans, mountains, wildflowers, birds, the sky—it’s all breathtaking when you take a moment to really look. I don’t need a fancy location to find something worth photographing. Even a nearby park or a rainy window can be magical through a camera lens. Sometimes I just feel a pull to go outside, breathe in the air, and see what the world looks like that day. Photography gives me a reason to pause and take it all in.
People are fascinating to photograph, too. Even strangers. There’s something so human and raw about capturing people as they are—laughing, thinking, walking, waiting. I don’t always need to know their stories to appreciate their presence. Everyone carries their own history, and sometimes you can catch a glimpse of it in a single expression or gesture. I try to approach photography with kindness and respect, especially when it comes to photographing people. I want my photos to feel honest and warm, never staged or forced.
One of my biggest dreams is to travel around the world with my family and take photos along the way. I imagine us discovering new places together, trying new foods, walking through unfamiliar streets, seeing sights we’ve only read about. I’d love to photograph the world through our experiences, the places we go, and how we felt being there. Whether it’s a bustling market, a quiet mountain trail, or a beach at sunrise, I want to capture it all—not just the scenery, but the joy and wonder in our faces as we experience it.
The idea of combining photography with travel feels like the perfect life to me. It’s not about being a famous photographer or getting published in magazines. It’s about keeping a visual record of our life, our adventures, and the simple things that made us smile along the way. I imagine years from now, sitting with my daughter, looking through old photos and hearing her say, “I remember this day.” That would mean everything to me.
Photography also helps me slow down. Life can be busy and overwhelming, but when I have my camera in hand, I focus more. I become more present. I look closer, breathe deeper. I take time to notice the light, the colors, the feelings. It’s like a form of meditation, but one that lets me create something lasting. A photo is not just an image—it’s a memory, a story, a way of saying, “This mattered.”
Sometimes I think about how many beautiful moments go unnoticed every day. A kind gesture, a burst of laughter, sunlight on someone’s hair, a peaceful street at dawn. With photography, I get to catch those moments, to say, “I saw this. This was real.” I don’t need a studio or expensive gear to do that. I just need to be present and pay attention. Some of my favorite photos were taken spontaneously, with natural light, and nothing planned. That’s the magic of it.
If someone told me I could just travel, take photos, and share them—with no paycheck involved but of course travel costs to be taken care of and for my family to come with me—I’d still say yes. That’s how I know it’s what I’m meant to do. I don’t see it as work. I see it as a calling, a joy, something that fills me up rather than drains me. There are people who work their whole lives to find that kind of feeling in a job. I feel lucky to have found mine in photography.
Even when I’m not traveling, there are endless things to photograph close to home. My daughter’s messy art projects, her little feet running around the house, my husband making pancake in the morning, the soft light that comes through our kitchen window. Every day brings something new to notice. I love the challenge of finding beauty in the ordinary. That’s the kind of photography that means the most to me—not always the grand, dramatic shots, but the quiet, real ones.
I don’t think I’ll ever stop taking photos. Whether it’s for work or for fun, whether I’m paid or not, I know I’ll always reach for my camera. It’s how I understand the world. It’s how I connect, remember, express, and explore. It’s a way of saying, “This is what I see, this is what I feel.” And when someone else looks at one of my photos and feels something too—joy, nostalgia, curiosity—that’s a connection I treasure.
So yes, if I could do any job for free, I’d be a photographer. I already am one, in the ways that matter. And I can’t wait to see where this passion takes me next, camera in hand, heart wide open, ready to capture the next beautiful moment that comes my way.
