The struggle

I was recently interviewed by Voyage Chicago about my business.  Here is the article.  Have you found yourself alone in the struggle?  I certainly have in my journey to create a place for myself with photography.  Through the years I have gotten a lot of great, and terrible advice on what I should be doing.  "You should find a job that pays at least.....to be happy, you should make less 'scary' images, you should be different, you should try and fit in."  Que the audible grunt of exasperation.  Not all of us were granted with educational funds, not all of us start out with privilege.  When the race begins, some are already ahead.  They have been granted support and praise from such an early age they don't know the difference of a life without.  Some of us have been at it on our own for a long time, just trying to make something beautiful with our lives.  Through my own journey I have learned some valuable lessons, had some rewarding experiences, been treated like garbage, been treated like a genius, been questioned about my worth, been praised for my contributions, been ostracized for trying new things.  I've had people use my name to sell their own work, I've had people trash my name to sell their own work.  (Isn't the internet the best and worst of us?)  Through it all, I just try to be myself, I try to be as honest as I can about who I am and what I can do.  I try to push myself through rough patches and commit to this creative path that either I choose, or which chose me so long ago it no longer matters.  Everyday you can get up and try, and that is what I keep doing.  For those who keep kicking ass and use both feet, I salute you!  It isn't easy to swim in a sea of negativity, but keep those arms moving!  Eventually there will be land for you to stand.