Tatym Doucet

“Self Growth”

Self or personal growth to me represents a persons potential, mindset, and creating a better quality of life. As a Freshman this year, I moved from Alaska to Malibu alone. I quickly understood that I must be independent and make some new relationships and connections. 

This year has personally been difficult along with a few years in the past. I have been almost “lost” for some time now and with the help of photography, I am finding myself again. Anxiety, depression, loneliness, isolation, abusive relationships, hospital visits... they all knocked me down to this person in which I lost who I was. 

How I have changed, developed, and grown as a woman is what I inteneded to represent in these photos. At the beginning of the day, the sunrise represents new beginnings and then slowing branching out, making new relationships along the way and growing, higher up and gaining ground (literally starting from the bottom at the ocean, ending on top of campus). There are still many steps to be taken, but being present and getting this far is something I have been able to be proud of.

An artist that was inspiring to me for this project and future shoots was Chris Burkard. He has a deep focus on nature, landscape, outdoors, and lifestyle all using natural light and is able to capture the beauty of the world. It made me think about how being outside, the water, mountains, and the sun also have a great pull on mental health.