Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Emile.
Hi Steven, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story is just like that of most people. In high school my art and photography teacher was a bit of a rebel, and so was I at the time, so I naturally looked up to him. His approach to creativity inspired and motivated me to pursue the arts as I grew up. As I got older and started to adventure more, I eventually settled on photography as my passion of choice, letting go of my similar pursuits of sketching, painting, and creative writing.
Since making a decision to follow photography I’ve had the opportunity to see things in a way not many others do. I also realized early on that creating images with a camera was not always about being the first somewhere. Rather it was all about how you frame things. A simple flower in your backyard can make an amazing image when composed correctly. After playing around with this thought for some time, I realized it had shaped how I approach life as well.
Learning this lesson helped me immensely when I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in late 2017. Of course, my initial reaction was what most would expect; depression, fear, anxiety and similar feelings of overall despair. After some time dealing with the facts of life, such as they were, I was able to frame things differently in my mind and find a silver lining in that dark and ominous cloud. I was able to reconnect with friends I had not seen in years, make new goals for myself, and renew my passion for photography that had waned slightly with work consuming more of my life than I should have allowed. I was able to develop healthy work/personal life boundaries, and strike a balance I had been lacking. Chemotherapy was a challenge, but I put an emphasis on developing personal connections with others going through infusion therapy, as well as the nurses, doctors and staff at the cancer center.
Now, years after being in remission, I’m maintaining that balance between work and personal life and finding ways to be present in the lives of my team members, family, and friends, all without giving up the hobbies and passions I’ve developed all these years.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road so far has not been easy, but I think that is pretty standard in this ever-changing world. I struggled at different times in my life with emotional trauma, physical setbacks (like my cancer diagnosis), and substance abuse to cope with the overwhelming stress of life. In hindsight, I am grateful for all the struggles I’ve endured along the way, as they’ve made me who I am today; happier, healthier, and a better friend, brother and son.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a passionate photographer. My time away from work is usually spent deep in the forests, on top of mountains, or along forgotten backroads. My photography subjects will vary greatly in subject matter, but they all center around nature. I’m fascinated by the natural world, and I hope to explore the human connection to it through my images. In my very small circle of followers, I’m most known for my sunset images, but my current portfolio also includes astrophotography, macro, and animals as well. I focus less on specific kinds of images, and instead try to find the beauty in every setting, hoping to capture it on camera in the right way.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
During my chemotherapy, I had lots of time to think. The most important thing that kept coming back to me was this.; When you cannot control your situation, focus on controlling how you react. Often times life throws us a curve ball and we panic. Instead, be present at the moment, take a deep breath and consciously decide how you want to react. This has been the biggest change I’ve made in the last four years.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.viewbug.com/member/StevenAndersPix
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenanderspix/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevenanderspix
Image Credits
Steven Anders Emile
