11 Years Behind the Lens: Embracing Growth as a Photographer

There was a recent trend on TikTok where photographers shared short videos showcasing their creative journeys over the years. I was inspired to create my own version, highlighting my 11-year journey as a photographer — from my earliest shoots to my most recent work. Watching it all come together felt like opening a time capsule, filled with memories, lessons, and growth captured frame by frame.

You can see everything in that timeline — the phases, the experiments, the shifts in my style. From natural light portraits to studio setups. From simple edits to more refined retouching. From casual shoots with friends to working with models, makeup artists, and stylists to bring full creative visions to life.

It’s humbling and honestly a little emotional to look back and see how much I’ve grown — not just technically, but creatively and personally.

@tashabrownportraits It's been a journey! No photographer achieves success overnight. Keep putting in that work and DON'T GIVE UP. I still haven't arrived but I'm a lot closer to my goals now than I was 11 years ago 🤩 #PhotographyJourney #Photography #PhotographyMagic #ProPhotographer #PhotographerLife #Photographer ♬ Ticking - TIN

But as much as I’ve evolved, I know I still have so much ground to cover. Photography is one of those careers that never stops teaching you. The industry changes. Styles change. You change. There are seasons where everything clicks and you feel unstoppable — and others where you question everything. But both are part of the process.

If there’s one thing these 11 years have taught me, it’s this: growth isn’t linear. You don’t arrive — you evolve. Every shoot, every mistake, every new lighting setup or creative risk becomes another step forward.

There were seasons where I didn’t feel “good enough,” or thought my work wasn’t progressing fast enough. But looking back, I can see how those moments were necessary — they pushed me to refine my eye, strengthen my patience, and rediscover why I started in the first place.

So, whether you’re a photographer, artist, or creative of any kind — keep showing up. Keep experimenting, learning, and stretching your comfort zone. Every image, every season, every evolution tells part of your story.

And one day, you’ll look back — just like I did — and realize how far you’ve come.

Here’s to the next chapter of growth, light, and creativity.