"The power of focusing on what excites you!" With @isakstockas / "One day, my family and I went to see a contemporary circus show in my hometown of Järna. I was amazed by the performance and ended up taking classes in acrobatics and later enrolling at the Stockholm University of the Arts to study for a Bachelor's in contemporary circus. Photography was another form of art that captured my attention at a young age. I made trailers for shows, posters, and press photos for other artists and companies. I loved it, but my true passion has always been photographing and filming something else – Travel. In 2019, I left to go on my first big solo trip. I went around the globe for six months, and that experience truly cemented traveling as a crucial part of my life. Coming home from my travels, I could not stop thinking about photo and film projects; it completely took over all of my creativity, so I put the circus on the back burner and applied to film school. I got in and just recently graduated. Now I am working as a full-time freelance photographer and filmmaker, and the following lessons made an enormous difference in getting where I am now: (1) Dare to take on slightly more challenging tasks than you think you can handle. Setting a high standard for yourself and saying yes to tasks you find slightly frightening builds confidence over time and improves your problem-solving abilities. (3) Similarly, always keep learning. The satisfaction you gain from seeing your work improve through conscious practice is a great motivator. It also increases your confidence when working with clients. (3) Embrace your style. There is great value in knowing the conventional way, and old-school knowledge is crucial, but it is equally as important to find what you are good at, what you enjoy, and what inspires you. (4) I think the freedom gained from doing your own thing far outweighs the security of a conventional job. Of course, you have to work hard, but as long as that work is fulfilling and as long as it allows you to do what you want with your life, it is all worth it." You can read this inspiring article with @isakstockas by visiting the link in our bio!