Turning Rejection into Redirection: The Moment That Changed Everything
How a Setback in My Career Led to a Transformative Artistic Journey
Hello and Happy New Year! Whether you're listening to this on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day, I hope your holiday season was filled with joy, rest, and, if you're like me, a lot of reflection. I truly hope that I had a fantastic Christmas (as I record this in advance), and I wish the same for you—whether you celebrated, took some time off, or simply enjoyed a little relaxation.
Today, I want to share something deeply personal with you. It's a story about a setback that initially crushed me but ended up being one of the best things that happened to me in 2024. I want to take you back to September of last year, when something occurred that completely shifted my perspective on my work as a fashion photographer and artist. It’s a story about embracing failure, learning from it, and ultimately growing into a more authentic version of myself.
A Game-Changing Opportunity
As many of you know, I have been experimenting a lot with AI in my creative practice throughout 2024. I’ve been exploring how AI can be integrated into fashion photography and how I can merge technology with traditional artistic practices. One of my favorite projects involved mixed media, where I would take AI-generated images and physically paint on them. The idea behind this project, Artificial Reality, was to take something artificial and make it real—bringing digital art into the physical world.
I was creating these pieces not just for the sake of experimenting, but because they brought me joy. They felt like a new way for me to express myself. However, there was a point where I felt that these pieces were just sitting online, doing nothing. I wanted to find a way to share them with the world and give them the recognition they deserved. So, I decided to print them out and work with them physically. From there, I began uploading them to my Instagram, though it was hard to gain traction, and I eventually created a dedicated Instagram account to showcase them.
As I continued to create these pieces, I didn't have a grand plan. I was just enjoying the process. But little did I know, something life-changing was just around the corner.
The Setback That Changed Everything
In September, I received an email from one of the biggest advertising agencies in the world. It wasn’t a typical client shoot request I’d received before, but rather an invitation to participate in an exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery—a world-renowned art institution. The exhibition was sponsored by a major brand, and they were interested in featuring my AI-generated art and mixed media works.
I was ecstatic! I had never, in my wildest dreams, imagined that I would be considered for an exhibition, let alone one at such a prestigious gallery. I had always focused on commercial photography, and while I loved that, I had never truly considered myself an artist. But here I was, being presented with an opportunity I had never thought about before. I could hardly believe it.
The agency, however, expressed concerns about the focus of my work. They felt my pieces were too "fashion-focused" and centered around people. Since the exhibition was sponsored by a non-fashion brand, they asked if I could create pieces that were still in my style, but without the focus on people. I thought about it for a moment and responded with excitement, saying, “Absolutely, I can do that! I have plenty of ideas.”
I was so ready for this. I made the work, sent it in, and waited with bated breath.
The Disappointment
A few days later, I received an email saying that while they loved my work, they felt that it was still too fashion-oriented for this particular exhibition. They informed me that my pieces wouldn’t be included in the show. Honestly, I didn’t cry, but I was devastated. The opportunity I had been so excited about slipped through my fingers, and it stung. I realized just how much I had wanted this—perhaps more than I had ever realized.
In the weeks that followed, I reflected deeply on why I felt so upset. It wasn’t the rejection itself. I didn’t care much about the brand or the exhibition not aligning with my work. What hit me hardest was the realization that I wanted to be an exhibited artist. I had never considered that possibility until the opportunity was presented to me. And now that I knew this about myself, it felt like a deep, unmet desire.
A New Beginning: Embracing My Artistic Identity
That setback became the catalyst for a transformation in my creative journey. It led me to revisit my roots as an artist. It reignited the spark I had back in art school, a time when I was immersed in creative exploration and pushing boundaries. This experience pushed me to truly embrace my identity as an artist—not just as a fashion photographer.
With the encouragement of my best friend, Anna, who was with me when the rejection came through, I decided to shift my focus. I couldn’t just wait for opportunities to come to me—I had to actively work toward the dream of becoming an exhibited artist. That’s when the idea of the Art School Kid Era was born. It’s my journey of rediscovery, of diving deeper into the world of mixed media, digital and traditional arts, and of embracing new forms of creative expression.
The Silver Lining: From Setback to Growth
Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful that I didn’t get to exhibit at the Saatchi Gallery. It’s a strange thing to admit, but the truth is that I am now more focused and more aligned with my artistic goals than I’ve ever been before. The rejection pushed me to redefine my creative practice and start working toward something I didn’t even know I wanted.
Over the last year, the personal work I’ve created has completely transformed. It’s evolved into something far more authentic and true to who I am as an artist. And while I still love commercial fashion photography, I now know that being an artist is equally important to me.
As I head into 2025, I’m diving even deeper into this journey. I’ll continue experimenting with new mediums and pushing myself creatively, fully embracing the Art School Kid Era. Whether or not I ever exhibit my work at the Saatchi Gallery (or somewhere even bigger like the Tate or the Guggenheim), I now understand that this path is one I need to walk, and it’s the journey that excites me most.
What I’ve Learned: The Importance of Reflecting on Setbacks
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this experience, it’s that setbacks and disappointments can often lead to the most beautiful and unexpected outcomes. If you’re facing a setback right now—whether it’s a missed opportunity, a rejection, or something that didn’t go the way you hoped—I encourage you to take a moment to reflect. What is this situation telling you about your true desires? Sometimes, what seems like a failure is actually guiding us toward something far more aligned with our authentic selves.
So, if you’re going through a tough time, take heart. On the other side of this pain is something beautiful, waiting for you. I truly believe that the things that hurt us can lead to the most incredible transformations if we’re willing to listen and learn from them.
Here’s to 2025 being a year of growth, creativity, and embracing our true artistic selves! I’m excited for what the future holds and can’t wait to take you all on this journey with me. Let’s make it a year to remember.
Happy New Year, and I’ll speak to you soon!
