This was not an easy shoot for me. I came home from my dream job with Pinterest and cried. Pinterest has been crucial in getting me into photography and inspiring my journey. I used to scroll through Pinterest, admiring all the beautiful images, and think, ‘That’s what I want to do!’

When I got the opportunity to be a second shooter on this incredible library campaign for Pinterest, I was beyond excited. My role was to follow the lead photographer and capture detailed shots while she photographed the talent. But it didn’t quite turn out that way. I spent the day shooting hundreds of images of various products, often cramped in tiny bathrooms or corners of a room. I had no assistant, no lighting—everything was set up for the lead photographer, which makes perfect sense but left me feeling isolated and like my photos weren’t coming out good enough, and by the end of the day, my back was KILLING me.

My sweet husband drew me a bath and listened as I cried—about my aching back, about how rough the day was, and about how much I wished I could someday be that lead photographer. Nothing like a good cry and a good night's sleep.

By day two, I was in much better spirits, ready to photograph some wonderful talent and armed with the knowledge of what I was walking into, lighting-wise. I was lucky enough to work with an amazing team, and our lead photographer was incredibly supportive and kind, which made all the difference. It reminded me just how crucial a great team is!

I’m still working on becoming that lead photographer. This experience reminded me that every step in the journey, even the tough ones, brings you closer to where you want to be. It’s about showing up, learning, and staying open to growth—even when it’s uncomfortable.