Be bold! You are capable of accomplishing more than you know!

 

“Always believe in yourself and always stretch yourself beyond your limits. Your life is worth a lot more than you think because you are capable of accomplishing more than you know.” Roy T Bennett

December 2019, I was lying on the floor during a yoga class wondering where my life was going. For the first time I didn’t have a plan for all the things I wanted to accomplish in the New Year. It was a strange feeling… a feeling of being stuck and chained to stuff!

It was at this time I became fascinated by the idea of free diving and underwater photo shoots; the idea that you could capture serene, peaceful moments that seemed… freeing.
I decided that was it – book an underwater photo shoot. Only problem was the deep – I knew I would feel slightly panicked if my feet couldn’t touch the ground. But I was determined to do this – it would be symbolic of something new. I started practicing at least twice a week in the sea. Learning to release the air from my lungs so I could sink to the bottom; learning to hold my breath without gasping for air; learning to relax my face while posing underwater as my sister peered from the surface telling me to fix my hands from the frozen frog position.

I started researching underwater photographers and finally contacted Julie Corsetti whose work I loved. We planned a date but then COVID hit and the lockdown started. When we could finally move around freely, I rebooked, only for us to cancel 3 times! Weather, work or the condition of the sea – would this moment ever happen!!

Then on September 28^th, the moment arrived. It was a gorgeous sunny day and the water was the clearest blue. Julie and her assistant, Alice, were awesome.

I look at these photos filled with such excitement and absolute delight at what they represent. A bold, brave, mind-blowing moment of beauty for me – born from a desire when I was struggling.