On January 5th, 2012, I set my first foot in New Zealand, together with my two associates. We came with high hopes and motivation. We came with dreams of a life in which we could spend our time following our passions (without wearing winter coats). I wanted to try my wings and see if I could make it as a photographer. I knew that the odds were very high. But then again, that's when the return is the biggest. I tried for half a year without success... Building a network and making a name in a brand new country, is exactly as hard as it sounds. Then one day, I got a job offer at a place that had absolutely nothing to do with photography. Looking at my dwindling bank account - I was *this* close to give in.
But I was lucky enough to have a boyfriend who is a fellow freelancer and entrepreneur. He practically forbid me to take the job, after long nightly discussions, weighing the pros and cons. I promised him to try for a couple more weeks.
A week later, I got my first paid job. A month later, I was in the black. Not only was I employed as an event photographer, but I continuously got work through my own business as well.
I shot my first wedding. I had my first exhibition. It was all a beautiful adventure, and I loved every minute of it. This was way more than I could ever have expected, when I decided to move to the other side of the globe. To a country I knew nothing more about, than that they had cute birds with long, pointy beaks, and that the One Ring was born and destroyed there.
The second half of 2012 turned out to be the best part of my life, thus far.
And I have my own second half to thank for that.
