How Photography Became a Catalyst for Personal Growth
Photography often begins with a camera and a place, but over time, it can become something very personal. In this essay, Muench Workshop guest Drishti Arya reflects on the moments when photography stopped being just about images and began shaping how she learns and grows, both behind and beyond the camera.
With a camera in hand and a beautiful scene in front of me, I’ve learned that photography is more than just capturing images. If you allow it, photography helps you create a space for personal transformation.
For many things in life, we are often advised to “just start.” I find this especially true for activities related to my personal growth and photography. Since 2020, multiple “just start” moments have shaped both my skills behind the lens and my perspective on life. It’s a journey that has been the most rewarding and meaningful to my life, and I hope that parts of it resonate with you and encourage you to reflect on your love for photography and its impact on your life.
Before we dive into these moments, here’s a little about me: My love of photography began very early. My mom often mentioned that I was always the kid behind the camera rather than in front of it. When I think back to my childhood, many of my core memories are linked to photography—whether it was the first photography class I attended or the night drives with my dad, during which I photographed the streets of New Delhi.
Looking back now, those early experiences planted the seeds for the passion I carry today. I’ve also benefited from the practice of meditation, which has helped me think more deeply. I use meditation to help identify fears and beliefs that subconsciously prevent me from venturing out of my comfort zone. By being aware of these thought patterns, I can consciously not give them the power to stop me from moving forward. In hindsight, I can see how being mindful and reflective has helped me grow exponentially as a photographer. The practice of meditation helps me start the process of getting out of my comfort zone, and photography accelerates it as I continue to push myself to create more meaningful images.
Snow-Fall: The Photo Walk and the Start of Drishti Arya Photography
Growing up in Delhi I didn’t have many options to walk and photograph the streets, the way of life in India didn’t make it possible. I think this is why the photo project I worked on with my Dad was so memorable.
In 2015 I came to Boston for undergraduate studies, I naturally started taking photos with my iPhone every time I would walk to class. I quickly fell in love with the changing seasons. I would rush out for walks during snowstorms and wake up early to capture the vibrant fall colors. Nine years later, I still carry these habits with me, but now it’s not just me—it’s me and my camera!
I woke up one morning and looked out my window. It was snowing in October during peak fall colors! I thought to myself, This can’t be real. But sure enough, Boston was covered in a fresh blanket of white snow, while the trees were bright shades of yellow and red. As always, I rushed out the door for a walk and took my camera out with me this time. Little did I know how much that walk would change my life. I shared the images I captured on my family group chat & personal Instagram as usual, but something in me was itching to share these images with a broader audience.
A few days earlier, my brother had encouraged me to start a public Instagram account dedicated to photography. The thought sent a wave of imposter syndrome through me—”am I really a photographer? Why would people want to see my images? They aren’t even good enough to share,” I would tell myself.
However, reviewing the images from that day, I remembered to “just start.” So, with hesitation and excitement, I took the leap—on 30 October 2020, I started the “Drishti Arya Photography” Instagram account, which marked the beginning of a much larger journey.
While starting a social media account comes with its demons, working on growing one can help in many ways. The key is to stay mindful through the process to identify what serves you versus what does not. Here are a couple of ways this first “just start” moment has helped my photography:
- Creating a habit of taking photos regularly: The nature of social media algorithms forces you to get in the habit of creating content, which led me to incorporate daily photo walks into my routine. I didn’t know it at the time, but through capturing an image every day, I was learning how to refine ideas that brought me joy, research locations, and write about my images.
- Building a community of creatives: Once I started intentionally sharing my work, it quickly became apparent that I was not the only one just starting a photography account—many others were doing the same. Through this platform, I was learning how to build relationships, interact with other creatives, and receive feedback from people.
Finding Growth in the Uncomfortable: Adirondacks Workshop
The first two years of deepening my understanding of photography were filled with trying new things, learning from YouTubers, exploring editing tools, and accepting that I am a photographer.
While learning, I wasn’t interacting with other photographers in person. I was still looking to stay in my comfort zone, sitting at home and learning from behind the screen. The idea of meeting strangers in this field felt daunting. This changed on March 11th, 2022, when I signed up for my first photography workshop with Muench Workshops (my second “just start” moment.) I had never done anything like this. I had never gone on a trip with eight strangers to a place utterly unknown to me.
September 30th, 2022, the first day of the workshop, I immediately had a gut feeling that I was in the right place. In those five days, I got out of my comfort zone and challenged myself physically and mentally. One week of completely disconnecting from day-to-day life, being present, and learning from the pros and other workshop attendees was an environment that fostered growth. I became a more confident photographer.
Finally, I knew I had discovered what fed my soul, and I set the intention that I wanted to provide value to others through my photographs. Even though I didn’t know how I would do it just yet.
This second “just start” moment helped me understand:
- The technical language within photography: I learned about basic concepts like manual mode, histogram, focus stacking, bracketing, clipping, dodge and burn, and so much more. Within the week, I had a better foundational understanding of all the terms I had previously thought were too unnerving to learn about.
- The importance of receiving critique, particularly from the right people: To this point in my journey, I had never received formal critiques. At the first critique session, it became clear that learning to receive critique and objectively examining your photos is crucial for growing within this field. In my opinion, this is perhaps one of the most powerful aspects of attending a Muench Workshop!
“Each workshop I’ve attended since then has not only compounded my learning but also enhanced all aspects of my photography”
Finding my “Voice”
Now that I had a better understanding of the basics as well as a better understanding of the kind of photography I enjoy, it was time to find my “voice” — to graduate from YouTube University and to continue to find ways to have more interactions with other creatives.
I wasn’t sure how to “start” and then remembered that during the workshops, someone had spoken to me about camera clubs. This part of my journey led me to join the Boston Camera Club—the final “just start” moment I’ll discuss in this article.
Joining the camera club and having dedicated time set aside each week to interact with other photographers was another catalyst for my growth. It allowed me to enter camera club competitions and other local inter-club competitions, share and speak about my work in person, submit images to local exhibitions, and exhibit my photography in an exhibition for the first time. Through this “just start,” I learned:
- How to release expectations: In selecting and submitting photos 2-3 times every quarter for camera club competitions, I learned how not to have any expectations. The result of what people thought of my photos was not as important. I realized that just by submitting my images, I’m going through a very valuable process of understanding my work and finding patterns. This led me to pursue creating images that mattered to me versus those that would do well on social media. The very act of preparing images for the competition gave me the needed space to be more critical of my own work.
- What I like vs. what I don’t like: Being in the camera club exposed me to all aspects of photography and has helped me discover my preferences. While I appreciate all types, I realized I’m most drawn to landscape and nature photography. I’m less interested in film photography and print competitions but enjoy connecting with others in the field and participating in exhibitions. Participating in the camera club has clarified what I love and sharpened my focus on what I want to learn about and from whom I want to learn.
Spending time with photography books and listening to photography podcasts have also helped me on this journey to find my “voice.”
Through books, I’m learning how to find patterns in the work of other photographers. I’m spending more time with each image, deciphering what makes a strong composition—something that’s challenging when scrolling through social media. I’m learning about the power of writing; it deepens my understanding of the photographers and their motivations behind the images they create. This exercise enables me to find my “voice” because I now think more critically about how all my work ties together. I try to find patterns and figure out why I continue to love certain types of compositions and how others don’t stand the test of time.
Through photography podcasts, I’m learning directly from photographers about what they find meaningful in their journeys, which leads me to reflect on mine. I also discovered new photographers whose work I had never seen and learned about new photography techniques like intentional camera movement and infrared photography.
All these learnings continue to push me to find new “just start” moments in my life, one of which you’re reading now.
What are you waiting for? Now is your time to “just start!”
About The Author
Drishti Arya’s connection to photography began early, shaped by a lifelong habit of observing the world from behind the camera. Through her own efforts and time in the field with Muench Workshops, Drishti discovered what many photographers eventually learn: growth has limits when it happens in isolation. Pushing to a new creative level requires stepping outside our comfort zones and engaging with others who help develop our eye and deepen our thinking.
More of Drishti’s photography can be found on her website, as well as on Instagram and Facebook.
