The Creative Identity Crisis

I was looking at some old photos of myself the other day. I couldn’t help but wonder if that was even me—and why I thought wearing a bandanna was a good idea. When I’m not embarrassed or confused, I feel nostalgic. Sometimes even proud. The same mix of emotions comes up when I look at my older creations. There are photos in my portfolio from a decade ago that make me feel all of it at once.

My portfolio today feels different. I’ve written before about how my focus shifted from portraits to nature and how my editing philosophy evolved. That doesn’t make me an inauthentic version of my old self. It just means the creator in me has grown and wants to explore more of the vast world of art. There’s nothing wrong with that—as long as each phase reflects an honest version of who I am.

I’m embracing the change. I’m making what I believe is my best work based on what inspires me today. I don’t fear evolution. However I change in the future, I know I’ve always been honest about my work in the moment. I’m glad my curiosity still pushes me to explore new frames, tools, and techniques. As long as I keep creating, it’s natural that my style evolves. That’s growth, not betrayal.