'Out Of The Comfort Zone' was originally an idea I had when I was on maternity leave in 2012. I created a blog to challenge myself to get out into the world and talk to strangers/photograph people. The challenge was to photograph 100 complete strangers in one year, to walk up to random people and ask them to model for me. It was an exciting idea at first, but in the end I only photographed 3 people!! Yup, I failed miserably lol. I would love to blame it on the busyness of being a mom, and it was partly that, but really I just got lazy and stopped doing it.  

I bought my first DSLR 10 years ago before a trip to New York, I wanted to be able to capture city scapes, people, and art. I splurged on a wide angle lens, and it was during that trip that my passion was ignited. I couldn’t really afford the camera, lens, or the trip at that time, but luckily….I had a credit card!! When I look back on the photo’s now, they bring me so much joy. Pictures always mean so much more when you look back at them years later. They are a visual time capsule of the feelings that were so easy to take for granted in the moment. To me, that trip was freedom, wonder, and excitement in the famous city, and the first trip I ever took with my boyfriend (he put a ring on it a few years later), Justin. We didn’t have kids yet, and had no idea that we would never travel like that again. Every single moment of our lives is unique. It makes me want to capture every single second that goes by, because you can never get it back. The simple and mediocre moments suddenly become beautiful, and then they are gone. 

I think people are happiest when they are creating, and when they are surrounded by friends, family, and their community. I've been working on making 'out of the comfort zone' a philosophy for my life. I was painfully shy as a kid, so now I am making up for lost time and trying to connect with as many people as I possibly can. People intrigue me, and connecting through photography is so much fun, plus you have memories that last a lifetime.

I am based out of the Fraser Valley (Chilliwack, Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs, Hope) but I bounce around BC quite a bit, and would like to take this global one day too. The possibilities are endless, and I'm looking forward to all the amazing people I will get to meet.

Cheers!!

Kelsey

Here’s a few snaps from that first trip to NYC!