Today we’d like to introduce you to Arianna Gorman.
Arianna, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
As a kid, I always had creative interests; I loved drawing, painting, making fun videos, crafting, anything like that. When I was 13, I have gifted my first DSLR camera and I fell in love with photography. I had never taken a photo class, had absolutely no idea what “ISO” or “f-stop” meant, and didn’t know anything about the field at all… but I knew I loved it! I learned pretty much everything from reading camera manuals and watching youtube tutorials. Eventually, I picked up the basics, and I’ve been documenting life through photography ever since! Being creative excited me, but I didn’t think it was something that I could ever turn into a profession. When I was younger, I always thought that kids who do well in school grow up to be doctors, not artists. I felt that I had certain expectations that I needed to live up to in order to be “successful.”
So, in 2015, I enrolled at UCSD as a biochemistry major and with hopes of earning a Ph.D. Right away, I was overwhelmed by the rigor of the program. The workload for STEM majors is really crazy, and notoriously so at UCSD. Though I respect and appreciate the biochemistry field, I, unfortunately, didn’t have the passion for it that is necessary to succeed in such a competitive environment. I didn’t know what else I should do with my life, but I did know I wouldn’t be able to keep up if my heart wasn’t truly in it. I switched my major three times in my freshman year of college. I felt so lost and confused. I had no sense of direction or control in my life. For two years, I struggled really badly with school despite being an “A” student for a lot of my life.
But it wasn’t all bad! In that time, though, I had a lot of really cool opportunities that helped me develop my own identity (both professionally and personally). I joined the collegiate equestrian team where I met some amazing friends and mentors (and just generally had a fun time). Through one of my mentors, I also got the opportunity to work for the (at the time, brand new) online newspaper, The Triton. At The Triton, I did some photojournalism work, which really helped me develop my photography skills. More importantly, though, seeing the newspaper take off after being built from the ground up inspired me; I realized that one person’s dream really can come true with hard work and the right management. Eventually, I also chose psychology as my major. I found it to not only be intellectually interesting but also very applicable to my life and my photography. It helped me see that a healthy mind is really the most important thing for success. Rather than focusing on creating “perfect” images or having a “perfect” career, I now try to focus on having more balance in my life. The culmination of all these opportunities has led me to where I am now – a young creative trying to lay down the foundation for a lasting career.
That’s my story so far – but, of course, it’s still being written every day!
Has it been a smooth road?
For the most part, it’s been pretty chill, but it has also been very confusing and challenging at times. To be honest, I’m facing challenges now. I’m at a big transitional point in my life; I’m graduating University soon and am just beginning my first real venture into the professional world. I am still trying to “make it” as a photographer; still trying to find a way to live my dreams while also fulfilling my responsibilities. I feel like I have this goal but don’t know exactly how to reach it yet. It can feel disorienting and confusing sometimes, but it’s also very exciting in some ways to not know what the future holds! And it’s really cool to have a dream to work towards.
My advice for women who may be just starting out: work hard, but don’t be hard on yourself! It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others and wallowing in self-doubt. Especially in the age of social media, women have so much pressure and so many expectations put on us already. Self-doubt can be such a temptation sometimes. It’s normal to have some bad days, but don’t forget to enjoy the good days too! Give yourself credit for your successes, even if they’re small. It’s important to push yourself, but you also have to take time to balance your mind! A healthy mind and self-confidence are key- and they will ultimately improve your workflow as well. 🙂
We’d love to hear more about your work.
With my photography, I’ve really dabbled in a bit of everything: sports, portraits, events, landscapes, even photojournalism. I’m still figuring out what my particular focus is. I’m a work in progress, I guess! I think, though, my photography generally has a recurring theme of nature. When people see my landscape pictures, I want them to feel inspired to go outside and enjoy nature. When friends ( especially those who are not particularly outdoors-y) ask me where I took my photos, so they can also go visit, I feel really happy and proud that I’ve encouraged someone to get outside. I think the more people that get outside and experience the beauty of nature, the more will realize how important it is to protect and respect our Earth. I also love incorporating nature into my portraits, by using natural light, earthy tones, and picturesque locations. Showcasing people existing harmoniously in the natural world is definitely a goal of mine when I do portrait photography. Overall, I am definitely still evolving my brand and my interests in photography every day! But I would say that natural element is the unique story I like to tell in nearly all my photographs.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Believe in yourself! And surround yourself with people who believe in you, too, for the times when you don’t.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ariannagrmn.wixsite.com/photography
- Email: ariannagrmn@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariannagrmn/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ariannagrmn/
Image Credit:
Hayley Stokes, Arianna Gorman
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