Lust List > Rachel Wolfe
Rachel Wolfe
Get out of your own way.
In her own words
I do a lot of different things: photograph, write, illustrate, organize, research, but lately-mostly photograph stories, landscapes, portraits and exhibit my art photographs.
But no matter what I’m doing, I’m always trying to make the world a better, more beautiful place. My idealism travels with me no matter where I go or what I work on. So whether I’m working on a photography project or one of my book projects, researching, writing an article, a poem, practicing yoga or cooking, I’m always on a mission to create something meaningful and moving.
Words of advice
Listen to your heart.
I didn’t listen in college when they told us to pick one thing. For me, there are so many ways to communicate and connect, I couldn’t choose just one. Photography and writing are my primary modes of communication now, but who knows, five, ten or 20 years down the line I could be teaching people yoga and how to grow their own organic gardens.
Pave your own way.
The funny part about what I’m doing today is I didn’t go to school for it, and I there’s no one in my immediate family or friends that photographs or writes professionally. I learned along the way that no amount of schooling was going to teach me the skills I’ve learned just doing and going after what I want. Luck doesn’t strike the lucky. Luck is being prepared for opportunities, and there are always opportunities waiting for you.
Get out of your own way.
Part of paving your own way is letting go of fear. Fear is really the only thing holding anyone back from doing anything they want to. The funny thing about fear-it’s imagined. Nothing bad has ever come of me just going for something I wanted to do or say. It’s when I pretend like I don’t want something that I really do-that’s when the unfortunate situations form.
Know your values.
Above all-if you don’t know what you value, what brings you bliss, then you’re never going to be happy or happy in your work. Write your values down, question what the mean, create a clear picture of what you value and what that looks like. If what your doing now doesn’t align with your values, find something else. All it takes is a little hard work and a lot of heart, and you’ll find yourself in a career that brings you as much joy as the weekends do.
All of the answers to all of your questions are in you. Plain and simple.
Gold Mine, from Liminal Metanoia. See http://rachelwolfe.com for artist statement. © Rachel Wolfe
What's Inside, from the forthcoming Especially L.A. series and book. News: http://rachelmwolfe.blogspot.com © Rachel Wolfe
Lanterns, from the forthcoming Especially L.A. series and book. News: http://rachelmwolfe.blogspot.com © Rachel Wolfe