I used to hate being seen as too young or inexperienced. During college, I’ve been mistaken for a senior in high school more than I’d like to admit. It wasn’t about looking young that I cared about. It was more not being taken seriously by my peers or in the workplace. In the majority of the rooms I occupy now, I’m usually the youngest. Though, now I view my 27 years here on earth as a superpower.
I remember hearing “act your age” from well-intended faculty to get students to listen and pay attention. This never resonated with my mind as a kid. As if every age had a list of requirements that must be maintained. It went on and on for every year. At 18, you go to college. 23 is for a big girl job with a fancy title. 26 and beyond is for marriage, kids and whatever else is on the list. For me, I just happened to be the “wrong” age at the right time. Now I value the gift of not being tied to an arbitrary timeline. I enjoy bringing in fresh ideas to a group and contributing with my unique perspective.
I grew up in the early 2000s right when the internet was really taking off. My dad taught me how to use a computer and I was hooked ever since. I had a Myspace profile by the time I was in the 6th grade while other girls worried about their clothes or what boys they liked.
I wasn’t your typical high school student either. I joined the school's tech program and completed an internship on campus doing computer maintenance. Soon the teachers I had for math or language arts were calling me in to recalibrate their computer systems and connect printers. Not a bad way to get the teachers on your side.
This naturally led to working in AV (audio/visual) in college to support university professors with their video content for online lectures. These lecturers that had decades on me were asking to support them with the computer systems. I had accumulated skills that were natural to me and yet a high value skill to others. It wasn’t about how much time had passed anymore than how we used it.
This is how I went about my photography business over time. It started with taking some fun photos for graduating friends. Soon through word of mouth, my reputation was known all over the campus as the camera girl. I had shoots booked every weekend in between studying for exams.
In whichever direction we choose to tend to our curiosities, experience usually follows. I had happened to take an active stance on what I already enjoyed doing and pursued it because it was fun. I didn’t question how my age might play a factor until other people brought it up. Which makes it a funny spectacle to see the shock when someone hears how old I am.
At any age we always have something to offer. Each experience is timeless and what we contribute is the accumulation of the work I’ve put into my creative journey. Proud to act my age!