It was the year 2006 (?) and I was in the kid community from the moment I logged in. Over the years I met some wonderful people, and while that is something SO important to me, today I wanted to take a moment to appreciate something else that Second Life gave to me-

Maybe about 1 year or so into Second Life, I was already taking pictures and having SO much fun. They weren't great but coming up with ideas made me so incredibly happy and it helped me learn so many fun things on GIMP and whatever editing program I had my hands on at the time.

Over the years I took more and more photos and got better and better. It never once was something I didn't enjoy. My first year at Camp HKE, I won the photography award and for years after. I liked telling stories through my pictures, expressing my thoughts and emotions.

Coming up with an idea and finding the right look and models for it often took up nights and nights of preparation.

By the time I hit 18 years old, I had this never ending love for photography... and got my first DSLR in real life. I started messing around, doing cosplay shoots and costumed type things with my friends. Going to conventions, acting as volunteer photography for local nerd events.

By the time I was 20, I had started my own freelance business and did more and more, growing a bit every time I did something new. Taking tips and tricks I had learned from doing it SL for so many years.

It wasn't until 23 that I started doing original shoots though! Finally taking a note from my Second Life book, I actively designed and came up with a fantasy shoot with a new group of friends for a college project. It ended up being incredibly fulfilling. Not long after, I got hired at Disney as a Photographer, and left-

to make my way as a professional photographer. I made so much magic happen while there and had so much fun. I got chosen for many specialty roles due to my skills and won awards. Through all of this, I was spiraling pretty badly, and photography kept me sane. Eventually though, I wasn't doing freelance at all and the thought of holding a camera was just...

It was hard for awhile. I thought maybe I lost my passion. Eventually I moved home to sort of figure out myself and heal. I went back to school to finish my degree. Took a photography class, because despite knowing a lot via being self taught, I thought that maybe it would help me reclaim my passion.

And it did! I spent the semester having to come up with creative shoots and got to dip my toes back in the original planning and concept ideas. It helped me reclaim my love and get back on a road to being better.

Now into my last semester, almost 2 years after returning from Disney, I've dived almost fully into the 'Fine Arts' type of photography. I spent so much of my time designing concepts, costumes and these elaborate ideas.

And I'm so happy. I find so much joy in telling stories through these projects. And it's thanks to Second Life.

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im so proud of you water is leaking from my eyes

bunbunsie: 24 ahhhhhh ty

bunbunsie: WHY DID IT DELETE MY EMOJI AND PUT THE NUMBER

LMFAOOO

the emoji should work again

so proud of you kiddo

One of my favorite days ever.