Woodman Point with Charlie
A couple of years ago I went through a tough break up which due to a dynamic change, left me feeling distanced from some of my friends. To avoid any further hurt I decided I needed to start learning how to make new friends while things cooled down.
I remember the day; I got on instagram and searched all of the local photographer and artist hashtags to find people that had similar interests as me. #perthisok #perthphotographers #perthartists and for the first time ever I started using the platform to connect with people. I’d message people whose work I liked and create online relationships - It’s how I met Dylan Van Dijk (who I often go on photo adventures with), It’s how I met Ryan Ahern (an incredible artist & photographer who continues to inspire me from a distance) It’s how I met Andrew Throup, Stephen Norman (who I am yet to catch up with in person!), Mackenzie Soper, Zachary Kiernander, just a few names of people who have made appearances in my blogs or stories, which I have instagram to thank for.
*Edit: & TOAN DO! One of my fav online photography pals that I forgot to mention as I always do with my fav people when I do these things!!
Charlie is another instagram friend. I followed him because I liked his photos and then realised he is the brother of someone I have worked with before which made him feel like less of a stranger to me. I messaged him and we decided to catch up.
Turns out we have heaps in common; both equally as sporadic with our interests and life plans, both suckers for poetry, each love a good cuppa and we love taking photos. Conversation with Charlie is easy and fun. As I was driving on my way to meet him I found myself battling with my own mind which was trying to find every single excuse to cancel - this is normal for me. I am so introverted and meeting new people is extremely out of my comfort zone and every time I find myself so relieved as soon as I spend 5 minutes with them, and then so happy as I get to know the person further. See, knew this would be worth it I find myself thinking.
I love making new friends. I love it. It scares the crap out of me, but simultaneously it is one of my favourite things in the world.
