To truly understand my journey, let’s rewind to my younger years. Creativity has always been a big part of me, but growing up, I felt like the school system wasn’t designed to help you find your life path. Creative fields, in particular, weren’t taken seriously as future careers. It left me unsure of how to turn my passions into something real.
I tried exploring my interests—I loved drawing, creating, and even took a one-year course in fashion design right after high school. I had big dreams and imagined my future in that field, but halfway through, I realised it wasn’t the right path for me.
That realisation crushed me. I’m someone who feels stable and grounded when my life path is clear. When that vision fell apart, I felt lost for months. I didn’t know what to do, and the uncertainty was overwhelming. I sank into self-pity for a while, but one day, I picked up a psychology book to help me reflect. It asked questions that made me think about what truly lifted me, what I was good at, and what made me happy.
During high school, I had studied sales and bookkeeping, and at the time, I didn’t think it would matter much for my future. But those skills ended up being invaluable. Working as a student in a shoe shop in Antwerp gave me my first taste of the real world. The company had a unique approach: they believed in taking care of their employees first, knowing that happy employees would naturally create a positive experience for clients.
This mindset stuck with me. As a shy person, I was initially terrified of talking to customers. Over time, I found my own way to connect with people, making sales feel natural. My goal was never just to sell a product—it was to help clients find what they truly wanted and to give them a memorable experience. That approach taught me the importance of genuine connection and service, and I’ve carried it with me into my photography business today.
By the next school year (after fashion design), I decided to take a leap into photography. In September 2016, I started a one-year photography course while still working in the shoe shop. At first, I was terrified—the technical terms, the manual camera settings, and the newness of it all were intimidating. But the moment I took my first picture and started to understand the process, something clicked. I felt that spark again, like I had finally found where I belonged.
As I watched YouTube videos to learn more about photography and taught myself Photoshop, I started to imagine my future in this field. The more I learned, the more motivated I became to go all in. By the summer of 2017, I graduated with the knowledge I needed to begin my journey as a photographer.
In 2018, I worked under contract in the same shoe shop in Antwerp. Though I was grateful for the stability, I knew this wasn’t the life I wanted. My dream was turning passion into a career where I could feel free, working on something I was passionate about.
On 1 January 2020, I finally took the leap and started my photography business in Antwerp. It was a scary step—leaving the comfort of a steady income to chase my passion—but it also felt exhilarating. Just weeks later, the world went into lockdown. For three months, I couldn’t take photos or meet clients. Instead, I focused on self-learning—improving my skills, building my portfolio, and figuring out how to attract my first clients. Those months of hard work and resilience paid off, and slowly, my business began to grow.
What I’ve learned from this journey is the power of self-analysis. Ask yourself: What are you naturally good at? What feels effortless but fulfilling? Turn that into your career. Self-learning is key—we have so many tools at our fingertips now, even AI to guide us.
Sometimes, it’s worth taking a temporary 9-to-5 in your desired field to learn the ropes and save money for your dream. Yes, it’s risky to leave the comfort of a stable job, but trust me, it’s worth it. Turning passion into a career isn’t easy—it takes discipline, hard work, and resilience—but the freedom to live life on your terms is priceless.
I’ll be honest—there were tough moments. Last year, I experienced burnout. But I learned how to balance work and rest, to build a sustainable career without sacrificing my well-being. I structure my day to start a bit later because I’m a night owl, and I value having my evenings free for rest and relaxation. That freedom of choice is something I deeply cherish.
Your story may look different from mine, and that’s the beauty of it. Have you ever felt unsure of your next step? What helped you navigate that? Every experience—even the challenging ones—can lead you closer to your dreams if you keep learning, growing, and trusting yourself.
No matter where you are in life, turning passion into a career takes discipline, daily effort, and self-reflection. But remember, the freedom to create a life that aligns with your values and goals is worth every step of the journey.
If you’d like to share your story, feel free to comment under this blog. I’d love to hear your experiences, thoughts, or questions!
Turning Passion Into My Career: How Did I Do It?