We were lucky to catch up with Catia Simões recently and have shared our conversation below.
Catia, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I found my purpose through my weakness. I was suffering. At that time I was studying day and night to become a lawyer. When my anxiety and panic disorder became unbearable, I started shooting self-portraits and then photography became not just something tangible, but a goal. For some reason, photography began to mean much more to me than law. I know that the “life of an artist” is much harder. I had to give up a lot. But at the same time, I realized how much photography had helped me in such a short time. I have met incredible people through it, and I have matured. I acknowledge and am grateful for this journey.
That being said, like me, you will find your purpose when you feel that what you are doing is genuine and feels like a home to you. That’s what I felt. I felt safe photographing. I found a place where I felt comfortable and could fully express myself.
Most importantly, you must always mature and grow. Don’t get stuck in a purpose that leaves you without maturity and growth, and don’t rush yourself because everyone has a different experience. I was a lawyer before I found photography.
Sometimes, in the midst of chaos, you have to adjust your vision to see. Like it was for me in the beginning. When I started making self-portraits, I never imagined that the result of suffocating crises would be something so pure and lead me to where I am now.
So don’t get discouraged. Everyone has their own time and their own journey to find their purpose.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Humility and empathy. I’ll always talk about them. You won’t get anywhere without it. You need humility to learn and accept the changes and new things that come your way.
It takes empathy to be able to put yourself in other people’s shoes in order to help them.
Always carry these two great qualities with you wherever you go.
Third, recognize your small victories. Sometimes you feel lost, and when you feel that way, it’s time to look at how far you’ve come, even if it’s just a little, you are doing the best you can with what you have.
Fourth, keep trying. Even if you haven’t succeeded yet, try to remember that consistency is the key most of the time.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Living abroad. I knew it would be difficult, but I had no idea that it would take so long to adjust, that it would have such an emotional impact, and that it would be so hard. It hurts, and it hurts a lot to know that I’ve lost two family members while I’ve been here in Europe, and when I get back I’ll only be able to visit their graves. My eyes always fill with tears when I think that I didn’t even get to say a final goodbye to them. One of my uncles, the whole family was called to the hospital to say goodbye. Their last moments of life and I couldn’t go. There was nothing I could do. I was far away, starting my life all over again. Learning a new language like a baby. You feel very helpless. Having to deal with all that is really exhausting. It’s easy to wake up and feel discouraged. What I always try to do is remember the reasons that brought me here.
It may sound like a cliché, but I followed my heart when I decided to move, and when I did, I chose art. I could have stayed in Brazil, I was already studying for a public career in the courts, and I could have made good money.
But at the same time, I’m so grateful for the paths that photography has opened for me – I’m not kidding when I say that art has saved my life many times. And I know that my life here in Europe is still far from stable, but in general life has been good. I’m glad I opened my heart to this adventure, I’ll call it that from now on. That’s what it’s been.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_gingercake/
- Email: [email protected]
- Other: https://www.patreon.com/gingercake
https://photovogue/photographers/155377/gallery#4792641
Image Credits
Personal Photo – Photographer Sebastian Cvitanic All the others – Catia Simões
