Official blog of The Great Discontent.
@greatdiscontent
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Amazing things can happen when we say, “Yes,” and Esther’s story bears witness to the power of saying yes over and over, even without knowing the outcome—and even in the face of fear. Esther picked up her first camera at a young age, but it would be years before she would find herself at home behind the lens or realize the fullness of her calling to photograph people for who they are and not their circumstances. After seven years of journeying around the globe to photograph for a variety of nonprofits and causes, Esther’s story continues to unfold. As you read about her path, may you be reminded that anything is possible if you are willing to say yes and give it a shot, because your potential is greater than your circumstances.
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Most of you likely know Jeremy for his photography work, but his legacy is sure to reveal a creativity that isn’t bound by any one discipline. Jeremy is a visionary with many, many ideas for the future, most of them unrelated to photography. Of course, it’s no surprise that he would try new things. That’s part of evolving as an artist, which Jeremy has already done; he first wanted to be a painter, then studied graphic design and had his own company before transitioning into photography. And now, he’s venturing into the role of entrepreneur by launching his first iPhone app. Perhaps the theme of his story, which can be applied to our own journeys, is that the path is always unfolding to reveal new adventures and if we embrace them and take a few risks, then who knows? We just might find the thing that’s been waiting for us all along.
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It’s always a pleasure to interview someone who truly loves what they do, and Lara certainly does. She discovered photography at a young age and has worked diligently to break into the fashion scene and make a name for herself. Her drive, persistence, and talent have already paid off, which is amazing to consider since she still has a lifetime of work ahead of her. Read on about the path that led Lara from her small hometown in England to the bustling streets of New York City and be encouraged that no matter how young you are or where you’re from, you have something to say and a gift to share with the world.
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Samantha’s passion for what she does is contagious; her talent, evident. Her images have a beautiful, effortless quality to them, which makes it hard to believe that she almost didn’t pursue photography. It was inspiring to learn about Samantha’s background in international affairs, why she spent years avoiding her creative side, and how, with support and a little push from a friend, she finally came around to do the thing she had loved all along. Despite doubt and fears, which Samantha spoke of candidly, she jumped head first into photography and taught herself everything about the business, from shooting to pitching. We hope her words will remind you that it’s never too late to try the thing that’s been in your heart all along.
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Ike’s journey is an extraordinary one. He was born and raised in Nigeria and moved to the US as a teenager, where he went on to pursue an education in architecture. After college, as his career and passions evolved, Ike decided to pursue those interests. With the support of his family, especially his mom, Ike took on the challenge of reinventing himself multiple times, first as a designer and then as a photographer. We’re grateful to Ike for telling his story with such honesty and openness and we hope that it will inspire you to not only dream about doing what you love, but to actually do it.
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It’s easy to see why Steven is making a name for himself in his home base of LA and beyond. He has a contagious energy, which comes across in conversation and in his images. This self-taught photographer originally planned to pursue music, but as events unfolded, he changed his focus and now he’s photographing celebs and musicians alike. Read on about Steven’s creative childhood, his foray into photography, the outlook on work and life that keeps him going, and why he gives most of the credit to his parents. Thanks for talking with us, Steven!
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August marks the one year anniversary of TGD and we’re celebrating all month long! We couldn’t think of a better guy to kick things off with than Collin Hughes. The energy, sincerity, and youthfulness embodied in Collin’s images are a true reflection of who he is as a person—he is just as spirited, genuine, and fun as his photographs would lead you to believe. We heard firsthand from Collin about his journey to becoming a full-time photographer, which started in a small town in Minnesota and led him all the way to the buzzing streets of New York City. Read on to learn about how this one-time introvert came out of his shell, why he went to college for architecture, but ended up doing photography instead, what sparked his move to NYC, how his love for travel feeds his work, and what keeps him creatively satisfied.
