My infatuation with Africa began as a young child, half way around the world, in Southern California. We had a real wildlife safari park near our home filled with predators and all the African Wildlife called, “ Lion Country Safari.” My father would load us into the wood paneled station wagon, with a packed lunch, and we would self-drive through the safari park. These backyard adventures lead to never missing an episode of Mutual Omaha’s, Wild Kingdom, collecting and reading numerous books about Africa, and seeing and collecting every DVD of movies about Africa. 

As a young adult my path in life took me in a different direction from the nature and wildlife I was passionate about to a career in fashion as a clothing and textile designer; I was a creative and I struggled with the idea of an academic based career (ie veterinarian/biologist/etc).  A workaholic, I traveled extensively in this career through Europe and Asia, and the occasional vacation was usually spent in an exotic beach setting. Life took on a fast pace and the years seamed to blend together when there was a painful bump in the road.  Waking and talking through it with a great friend, she advised, “to go do something you always wanted to do.”  That night I booked a safari to Africa. 

Several months later I received a packing list. On the list it recommended having a good camera and a lens with a minimum of a 300mm zoom. I knew absolutely nothing about cameras or photography so I walked down to my local camera shop and bought what they recommended. I hired the salesperson to teach me how to use it and with a few lessons off to Africa I went. Well needless to say I did not return with award winning images, but I was over the moon with passion to follow my dream. 

A life Altering Moment followed by the courage to see the dream through.

I began the career transition the moment I arrived back in the US after that first safari, but it would take another 7+ years of hard work and numerous hurdles to become a full-time professional photographer specializing in Africa.  

One the most defining moments was during the global recession of 2008. My job of 14 years was phased out. In the moment of this news, I drove home in tears, but I placed my house on the market, and took that final leap of faith. 

We are all presented with at least one life altering moment, but fear of change and comfort of the known stop most from taking a leap of faith.  Had I not found the courage to chase my dream at all cost, I would have missed living the best part of my one and only life. 

“Fear never pushes forward in the same way it holds us back”

-Daymond John