Finding a passion (and how it can change your life)

When I first started photography nearly 3 years ago I had no idea how much I would love it and how much of a passion it would turn into for me.

Having a hobby is something that everyone should strive to have in their lives. Of course it can be difficult to find the time to do a hobby, especially when life has so many other demands on your time. You're working,  you're running the kids around, you're organising a household you're already juggling so many things but when you have something for yourself, it can really make you a more fulfilled person which can only be better for you and for those around you.

When my children were younger, I felt my whole life revolved around them, they always came first and sometimes I felt I had lost myself.  I wondered if I would only ever just be a mum, working part time in a boring job and just existing instead of truly living.  As my kids got older I started to find a little bit of myself again and getting into photography opened up a world I never knew existed.

Instagram has changed my life in so many ways, not only has it introduced me to people who I consider some of my best friends, but it has helped me grow and learn (for free) it has challenged me, it has taught me not to care about what other people think and it has given me an opportunity to share my passion with so many people that I will never meet in real life but who I love knowing via social media.  It has totally given me the shits at times and it has even made me cry on occasion but at the end of the day, my life is better for being on social media.

Photo courtesy of Sue Whiteman

Being involved in a community group called @igersgoldcoast has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life.  A group of passionate photographers meeting and sharing our knowledge at beautiful locations all over the Coast and even further afield, brings me so much joy.  Recently we hosted an instameet at Snapper Rocks with Canon and we had a massive turn out, we had incredible photographers spinning Steel Wool for us which is an amazing sight and the photos that have come from this meet have blown me away!  (check out the hashtag #igersgoldcoast on Instagram to see them)

Steel Wool Spinning at Snapper Rocks 15/10/16

Each month we host an instameet at a different location around the coast or below the border and we have had some pretty epic fun.  The people that come along to these events have become close friends and colleagues and the knowledge that people bring and share at the meets is priceless.  The community vibe is amazing and the positive outcome from each meet makes me beam for days.

 Go Ballooning Instameet July 2016

We have teamed up with some awesome companies like Go Ballooning, Mt Warning Tours and Spirit of the Gold Coast and we have mixed up our meets so we ensure we never get bored. We have had 40 people traipsing around a undeveloped housing estate in Maudsland chasing the Milky Way and we have taken over Currumbin rock catching a sunset and doing more Steel Wool Spinning. We have captured the Koala's at Currumbin Sanctuary and we have trekked to waterfalls in Mt Tamborine and O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat.  We are forever thinking of new places to visit and tossing around ideas for fun and cool instameets, its a challenge but a hugely rewarding one when we have a successful meet. (so far we have never had an unsuccessful meet!)

An adorable Koala at Currumbin Sanctuary

When you have a hobby and a passion your life is better, with photography you are expanding your mind, learning and challenging yourself, you are socialising and meeting new people, you are getting out into nature and exploring and adventuring.  These things all help in being a better human, an interesting and enjoyable individual who others want to spend time with.  In this crazy world that can only be a good thing for you.

We are always happy for new and interesting humans to come and join our group so if you have an interest in photography, make sure you check out our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/igersGoldCoast/  or our instagram account @igersgoldcoast and come along to our next meet, we would love to meet you!

Katie xx