The Unexpected Ways You Can Inspire Someone

Back in December of 2021, we were celebrating Christmas with Reina’s family up north and her dad had recently purchased a DJI Mini 2 which he was eager to share. Living in northern Michigan on a river, he showed us the breathtaking views on his screen as he flew over untouched jack pine forests and fields blanketed in fresh snow. I was immediately hooked and wanted to purchase a drone right away. However, for once, I showed some restraint and waited until May 17, 2022, to buy my own DJI Mini 2.

As I started taking my first flights and getting comfortable with the controls, I quickly realized that while flying the drone was fun, what truly captivated me was the creative outlet it was becoming for me. I became obsessed with flying the drone and taking pictures whenever possible. I made trips all around Michigan, exploring new places and revisiting familiar ones, seeing them from an entirely new perspective. The process from start to finish brought me immense joy.

After a couple of months with the drone, I realized I wanted to take “better” pictures with a physical camera I could carry around. A friend lent me a FujiFilm X-T10, and I quickly fell in love with the look and feel of the Fuji lineup. After a few weeks of borrowing the X-T10, I found a great deal on a FujiFilm X-T3, complete with the 18-55mm kit lens. On July 29, 2022, I drove to Columbus, Ohio, to purchase the camera from a kind man in a red minivan.

Since then, I’ve upgraded to a Fujifilm X-T4, which is still more camera than I could ever need. Next year will mark three years since I started taking photos. I’m so thankful that my father-in-law’s simple act of purchasing a drone sparked something in me. It has profoundly impacted my life and given me an incredible creative outlet that I am pursuing with more passion each day.