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Photographing Cats Helps Me Deal With My Insecurity And Dark Past
When I was little, I was a very happy child. I had some good friends and I was mostly an outgoing child. I loved playing outside and acting goofy.
My life became dark when I went to high school. I got bullied a lot, became very insecure and cried almost every day. It got even worse when I almost lost my mom, when she got very sick twice. This also had a very large impact on my grades and I didn’t pass high school. Luckily, my mom survived and she is still the happiest person I know.
My life became positive again when I was in my first year of studying graphic design. I got friends, became outgoing and I was happy again, but it was missing something. I still wanted to remember the moments, so I bought my first DSLR camera and started taking photos and posted them on Flickr. I got so many positive comments and learned so much.
I love taking photos of mostly cats. I see my photography as moody and storytelling, with lots of contrast. Photography has changed my life forever and I’m happy that I can share that with people around the world!
More info: flickr.com
My life became dark when I went to high school
I got bullied a lot, became very insecure and cried almost every day
It got even worse when I almost lost my mom
This also had a very large impact on my grades and I didn’t pass high school
Luckily, my mom survived and my life became positive again when I was in my first year of studying graphic design
I got friends, became outgoing and I was happy again, but it was missing something
Then I found passion for photography, especially photographing cats
I see my photography as moody and storytelling, with lots of contrast
Photography has changed my life forever and I’m happy that I can share that with people around the world
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What do you think ?
AnnaMcHugh 9 years ago
How beautiful. I'm having a hard time at the moment, and seeing your cat pictures feels like a little oasis of calm and a reminder that it's completely OK to be a bit weird sometimes. OK, a lot weird. :)
FelicityBerkleef (Post author) 9 years ago
Thank you so much Anna! So sad to hear that you're having a hard time! Everything will get better and yes it's completely OK to be weird. Normal is boring. Weird is awesome :D
Load More Replies...
MikiNyckel 8 years ago
Photo's of cats are nothing new, but the way you take them, wow. You really have a unique sense that creates these incredible shots! Definitely keep at it! I'm so sorry that it's due to pain you suffered during what should have been the best times of your life, but you've found an outlet. And its one hell of an outlet, just STUNNING! It sounds like you're happy again, and that's all that matters. Put the past behind you :) All the best.
Tillie Martinussen 8 years ago
My thoughts Exactly. It really IS a unique, beautiful perspective this photographer gets. Wow!
Load More Replies...
AmandaAbel 8 years ago
Cats have so many different attitudes and personalities. I commend you for capturing a bit of yourself in the photos you take, which are stunning, quirky, full of energy and passion. Thx for your beautiful contributions!
LisaPeterson 8 years ago
Magnificent. So sad that you've been through so much, but amazed and glad that you turned all of that into such a fantastic, cathartic outlet.
EwinaJasmina 8 years ago
Love your pictures! Cats are really the best therapists. I do the same. The world with cats is amazing:)
*NicoleMarie* 8 years ago
BEAUTIFUL.........Cat-ptures the Essence of Kittys.......Thank U They are indeed awesomely wonderful creatures - purrveyors of serenity & calm
Abdullah 9 years ago
Goed gedaan Felicity! It's brilliant how you channeled that dark past into something completely positive and bright.
Terry Jensen 8 years ago
cats seem to have calming effects on most people...these are great photos and you can tell that cats are special to you. All mine are special...I have seven right now but could have more shortly as I may move and then will have one or two more that belong to my son...I am in the process of building an outdoor 'cat house'.
Celeste Coit 8 years ago
i am completely engaged by a photo that tells a story, and you are a wonderful storyteller. Your cats all have lives I can see before and after the capture. Will see you on Flickr!
FriyantiAnanta 8 years ago
Wow! Thank you for sharing, your photos are all amazing. I wish my cat can be pictured by you.. But seems impossible since we'are living in different country :( Keep up the good work.. You and all cats are awesome!
GabrielaOrnellas 8 years ago
What an amazing thing you did there. Hope everything's fine now, and that photos you have there, they're pretty damn incredible!
SabineSteldinger 8 years ago
I love cats and you are able to catch them from their best side! I love the picture with the fangs open while yawning
FelipeDurli 9 years ago
Beautiful photos. Congratulations! What gear do you use? Loved the contrast! I always take pictures of my cats too. They rock! Check it out on instagram @felipe.durli
FelicityBerkleef (Post author) 9 years ago
Thank you so much Felipe! I use the Canon EOS 6D camera mostly, with mostly the 50mm f/2.5mm lens for indoor photos and the 85mm f/1.8mm lens for outdoor photos! I will check out your instagram account :D
Load More Replies...
lunanoir69 9 years ago
I could relate to your story, Felicity! Your images of the cats are beautiful!! I love the contrast that you use, and the cats seem very natural and lovely!! Keep going, you are wonderful!
FelicityBerkleef (Post author) 9 years ago
Thank you so much! I'm so happy to have them around me and yes they're pretty used to the camera :D
Load More Replies...
matylda ariadna 8 years ago
great passion! Beautiful photos. Also I have a cat passion; P I love sculpture: https://www.etsy.com/listing/469741234/sandy-cat-cat-sculpture-in-motion?ref=shop_home_active_1 Please tell me what you think
BiariAllai 8 years ago
my friend's sister makes $61 hourly on the laptop . She has been out of a job for eight months but last month her check was $21010 just working on the laptop for a few hours. Visit Website >>>>> ᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵhttp://www.moneytime88.comᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵ
AnnaMcHugh 9 years ago
How beautiful. I'm having a hard time at the moment, and seeing your cat pictures feels like a little oasis of calm and a reminder that it's completely OK to be a bit weird sometimes. OK, a lot weird. :)
FelicityBerkleef (Post author) 9 years ago
Thank you so much Anna! So sad to hear that you're having a hard time! Everything will get better and yes it's completely OK to be weird. Normal is boring. Weird is awesome :D
Load More Replies... MikiNyckel 8 years ago
Photo's of cats are nothing new, but the way you take them, wow. You really have a unique sense that creates these incredible shots! Definitely keep at it! I'm so sorry that it's due to pain you suffered during what should have been the best times of your life, but you've found an outlet. And its one hell of an outlet, just STUNNING! It sounds like you're happy again, and that's all that matters. Put the past behind you :) All the best.
Tillie Martinussen 8 years ago
My thoughts Exactly. It really IS a unique, beautiful perspective this photographer gets. Wow!
Load More Replies... AmandaAbel 8 years ago
Cats have so many different attitudes and personalities. I commend you for capturing a bit of yourself in the photos you take, which are stunning, quirky, full of energy and passion. Thx for your beautiful contributions!
LisaPeterson 8 years ago
Magnificent. So sad that you've been through so much, but amazed and glad that you turned all of that into such a fantastic, cathartic outlet.
EwinaJasmina 8 years ago
Love your pictures! Cats are really the best therapists. I do the same. The world with cats is amazing:)
*NicoleMarie* 8 years ago
BEAUTIFUL.........Cat-ptures the Essence of Kittys.......Thank U They are indeed awesomely wonderful creatures - purrveyors of serenity & calm
Abdullah 9 years ago
Goed gedaan Felicity! It's brilliant how you channeled that dark past into something completely positive and bright.
Terry Jensen 8 years ago
cats seem to have calming effects on most people...these are great photos and you can tell that cats are special to you. All mine are special...I have seven right now but could have more shortly as I may move and then will have one or two more that belong to my son...I am in the process of building an outdoor 'cat house'.
Celeste Coit 8 years ago
i am completely engaged by a photo that tells a story, and you are a wonderful storyteller. Your cats all have lives I can see before and after the capture. Will see you on Flickr!
FriyantiAnanta 8 years ago
Wow! Thank you for sharing, your photos are all amazing. I wish my cat can be pictured by you.. But seems impossible since we'are living in different country :( Keep up the good work.. You and all cats are awesome!
GabrielaOrnellas 8 years ago
What an amazing thing you did there. Hope everything's fine now, and that photos you have there, they're pretty damn incredible!
SabineSteldinger 8 years ago
I love cats and you are able to catch them from their best side! I love the picture with the fangs open while yawning
FelipeDurli 9 years ago
Beautiful photos. Congratulations! What gear do you use? Loved the contrast! I always take pictures of my cats too. They rock! Check it out on instagram @felipe.durli
FelicityBerkleef (Post author) 9 years ago
Thank you so much Felipe! I use the Canon EOS 6D camera mostly, with mostly the 50mm f/2.5mm lens for indoor photos and the 85mm f/1.8mm lens for outdoor photos! I will check out your instagram account :D
Load More Replies... lunanoir69 9 years ago
I could relate to your story, Felicity! Your images of the cats are beautiful!! I love the contrast that you use, and the cats seem very natural and lovely!! Keep going, you are wonderful!
FelicityBerkleef (Post author) 9 years ago
Thank you so much! I'm so happy to have them around me and yes they're pretty used to the camera :D
Load More Replies... matylda ariadna 8 years ago
great passion! Beautiful photos. Also I have a cat passion; P I love sculpture: https://www.etsy.com/listing/469741234/sandy-cat-cat-sculpture-in-motion?ref=shop_home_active_1 Please tell me what you think
BiariAllai 8 years ago
my friend's sister makes $61 hourly on the laptop . She has been out of a job for eight months but last month her check was $21010 just working on the laptop for a few hours. Visit Website >>>>> ᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵhttp://www.moneytime88.comᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵ
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