How Changing Climates Transformed My Photography and Creative Identity

Traveling from the bright, salt-sprayed shores of Northeast Florida, where the Atlantic Ocean glows under endless sunshine, to the misty forests of the Pacific Northwest felt like stepping into another world. The drizzle, the fog rolling through evergreens, the silence of rain tapping on moss — it all became part of a new rhythm.

This journey wasn’t just about a change of scenery. It was a journey into rediscovering my creative voice — nurturing it, refreshing it, and learning to see through a new lens.

Entering My “Mountain Girl Era”

When I talk about my Mountain Girl Era, I’m talking about more than just a love for mountain landscapes.

It’s about building strength, both creative and personal.

It’s about climbing higher — in my work, in my storytelling, and in my ability to express emotion through imagery.

Leaving behind the warmth of Florida’s beaches for the damp chill of the Olympic Peninsula wasn’t comfortable. But it’s exactly what I needed. Growth happens in the stretch — and this was my stretch.

Finding My Voice in the Pacific Northwest

I traveled to the Olympic Peninsula with one mission: to find what makes my work unmistakably mine.

I wanted to dig deeper into my “why” — why I choose the stories I tell, why certain light or tones resonate, and why some moments feel more true than others.

The Pacific Northwest taught me to slow down, to embrace the moodiness, and to let the environment shape my perspective. As a Floridian used to golden-hour light and tropical vibrance, the short daylight hours and muted skies pushed me far outside my comfort zone. I learned to chase the sun when it broke through, to love the texture of fog, and to find beauty in stillness.

5 Powerful Ways to Explore and Refine Your Creative Voice

If you’re on your own creative journey — whether you’re a photographer, filmmaker, or artist — here are five ways to begin refining your unique voice:

1. Immerse Yourself - What Inspires You? Surround yourself with visuals, sounds, and stories that spark your imagination. Inspiration isn’t imitation — it’s fuel.

2. Don't Be Afraid of Experimenting - Try practicing with new techniques, subjects, or editing styles. Growth is often accompanied by discomfort.

3. Map Your Favorite Elements - Celebrate the work that makes you proud. Identify patterns — tone, emotion, framing, or storytelling. These threads form the heart of your voice.

4. Quiet the Social Media Noise - Constant comparison is creativity’s biggest trap. Sometimes it good to get back to the silence to hear your own voice.

5. Silence Your Inner Critic - Allow your work evolve naturally. Perfection kills progress — creation is where the magic happens.

Discover Your Editing Vibe (With No Pressure)

Finding your artistic flair isn’t about following fads or mastering filters — it’s about genuine storytelling.

Here are three practical ways to find and refine your editing approach:

1. What Feels Natural to You - what you focus on should uplift your message, not exhaust you. If it feels unnatural, simplify your process.

2. Don’t Replicate - Study creators you admire — their color schemes, flow, or narratives — but always inject your unique voice. The world doesn’t want another copy; it craves your perspective.

3. Experiment, Then Go For It! - Test out a variety of vibes, tones, and changes. Once you find that perfect balance, refine it until it becomes your signature.

Now Here's The Challenge: Create with Intention

For your next project — try one or all of these ideas. Not to perfect them, but to get closer to a voice that feels true, sustainable, and uniquely yours. 

Finding your creative voice takes time, but the journey is where the art happens.