The Girl with the Green Eyes

For those who are interested, here is the article : http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2002/04/afghan-girl/index-text/1

One thing I will always remember from my parents' home is the bookcase. In the elaborate mahogany wood is stored countless National Geographic magazines. You see, my father had found refuge in the pages of the countless worlds captivated by various photographers.

I must have been about six years old when he showed me the one photograph that spurred me to pursue a career in photography to this day: "Afghan Girl" or "the Girl with the Green eyes". At the time, I didn't know why this picture made me cry. I remember just staring into those burning eyes and thinking "She's so pretty, why does she look so sad?" I couldn't help it, I took the issue into my room and stared at her photo for hours. 

This photograph made an impact on me like no other. Years later, I found out that NG had actually found her again. I dug up the article and became immersed in her tragic story. The once beautiful teenager who moved me had changed into a woman with heartache and destructions so clearly written on her features. I did a project solely on her story. It moved me to tears in the classroom as my teacher and other students got emotional. I swore to myself that I would impact someone else with my own images just the way this one had captured the world. 

Despite this, for a very long time, I was resolved to become a vet. This pleased my parents, my family. However, I did not have the grades to even consider applying for that program and once I actually had to apply to College and University, I got seriously conflicted. It had been recently brought to my attention that I could pursue a career in photography. My passion, my dream. It was impossible, I hadn't even though about it beforehand. I also loved writing and english literature, and of course on the side, I still drew, painted and sketched. Now though, I was debating. Graphic design, journalism or photography? The one thing I knew I never wanted to be was a sell out. I never wanted to make my choices based on other people and what they tell me. I wanted to follow my heart. 

I went for a long walk down a path in the forest that I knew by heart. I held that little piece of wilderness close to me and I took in the fresh air, the gorgeous scenery and thought long and hard. - That's one thing about me that I've found very useful. Being outside calms me, eases frayed nerves and helps me think. - That walk changed my life for ever. Although, it is probably not why you think. I did not have some kind of epiphany, I didn't see the light at the end of the tunnel, I didn't suddenly come up with my purpose in life and no apparition appeared before me.  What happened was my boyfriend. I was talking to him during my walk. Very patiently, he listened and crooned over my problems. He convinced me to follow my heart and not look back. He drilled me with compliments on past work and wouldn't let me say otherwise. He made me believe in myself. Yes, again he has made one of the biggest impacts in my life.  He was the one who convinced me to follow my dreams. He is the reason I am now in the Photography  program at Algonquin College, chasing my heart's desires. Despite what my family has told me, I am here. 

I walked into that foliage with a very heavy heart and walked out with a large smile on my face and a resolve to believe in myself. I adore photography and thanks to a very special person in my life, I get to do it for a living. 

I just wanted to say thank you. Nick, you've changed my life and I will forever be in dept to you for that. I love you.