Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Photographing Cats Helps Me Deal With My Insecurity And Dark Past
Photographing Cats Helps Me Deal With My Insecurity And Dark Past
User submission
1.7K

Photographing Cats Helps Me Deal With My Insecurity And Dark Past

408

ADVERTISEMENT

When I was little, I was a very happy child. I had some good friends and I was mostly an outgoing child. I loved playing outside and acting goofy.

My life became dark when I went to high school. I got bullied a lot, became very insecure and cried almost every day. It got even worse when I almost lost my mom, when she got very sick twice. This also had a very large impact on my grades and I didn’t pass high school. Luckily, my mom survived and she is still the happiest person I know.

My life became positive again when I was in my first year of studying graphic design. I got friends, became outgoing and I was happy again, but it was missing something. I still wanted to remember the moments, so I bought my first DSLR camera and started taking photos and posted them on Flickr. I got so many positive comments and learned so much.

I love taking photos of mostly cats. I see my photography as moody and storytelling, with lots of contrast. Photography has changed my life forever and I’m happy that I can share that with people around the world!

More info: flickr.com

RELATED:

    My life became dark when I went to high school

    ADVERTISEMENT

    I got bullied a lot, became very insecure and cried almost every day

    It got even worse when I almost lost my mom

    ADVERTISEMENT

    This also had a very large impact on my grades and I didn’t pass high school

    Luckily, my mom survived and my life became positive again when I was in my first year of studying graphic design

    ADVERTISEMENT

    I got friends, became outgoing and I was happy again, but it was missing something

    Then I found passion for photography, especially photographing cats

    ADVERTISEMENT

    I see my photography as moody and storytelling, with lots of contrast

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Photography has changed my life forever and I’m happy that I can share that with people around the world

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    55Kviews

    Share on Facebook

    Explore more of these tags

    Felicity Berkleef

    Felicity Berkleef

    Author, Community member

    Read more »

    Hey everyone, I am a 25 years old self-taught pet photographer in The Netherlands, who loves to take pictures of actually everything, but I have to admit that my cats and other cats are one of favorite subjects! This because I can be creative with photography, but I also love to capture the story behind each photo!

    Read less »
    Felicity Berkleef

    Felicity Berkleef

    Author, Community member

    Hey everyone, I am a 25 years old self-taught pet photographer in The Netherlands, who loves to take pictures of actually everything, but I have to admit that my cats and other cats are one of favorite subjects! This because I can be creative with photography, but I also love to capture the story behind each photo!

    What do you think ?
    AnnaMcHugh
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How beautiful. I'm having a hard time at the moment, and seeing your cat pictures feels like a little oasis of calm and a reminder that it's completely OK to be a bit weird sometimes. OK, a lot weird. :)

    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thank you so much Anna! So sad to hear that you're having a hard time! Everything will get better and yes it's completely OK to be weird. Normal is boring. Weird is awesome :D

    Load More Replies...
    MikiNyckel
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Photo's of cats are nothing new, but the way you take them, wow. You really have a unique sense that creates these incredible shots! Definitely keep at it! I'm so sorry that it's due to pain you suffered during what should have been the best times of your life, but you've found an outlet. And its one hell of an outlet, just STUNNING! It sounds like you're happy again, and that's all that matters. Put the past behind you :) All the best.

    Tillie Martinussen
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My thoughts Exactly. It really IS a unique, beautiful perspective this photographer gets. Wow!

    Load More Replies...
    AmandaAbel
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cats have so many different attitudes and personalities. I commend you for capturing a bit of yourself in the photos you take, which are stunning, quirky, full of energy and passion. Thx for your beautiful contributions!

    LisaPeterson
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Magnificent. So sad that you've been through so much, but amazed and glad that you turned all of that into such a fantastic, cathartic outlet.

    ArwenJayne
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Felicity, your pictures are incredible as is your spirit.x

    EwinaJasmina
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love your pictures! Cats are really the best therapists. I do the same. The world with cats is amazing:)

    Helga
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Your photos are very deep and I can perceive a hint of melancholy, I love them. My cat too helped me through a very difficult time of my life. Since I adopted him I've been happier than before.

    Load More Comments
    AnnaMcHugh
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How beautiful. I'm having a hard time at the moment, and seeing your cat pictures feels like a little oasis of calm and a reminder that it's completely OK to be a bit weird sometimes. OK, a lot weird. :)

    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thank you so much Anna! So sad to hear that you're having a hard time! Everything will get better and yes it's completely OK to be weird. Normal is boring. Weird is awesome :D

    Load More Replies...
    MikiNyckel
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Photo's of cats are nothing new, but the way you take them, wow. You really have a unique sense that creates these incredible shots! Definitely keep at it! I'm so sorry that it's due to pain you suffered during what should have been the best times of your life, but you've found an outlet. And its one hell of an outlet, just STUNNING! It sounds like you're happy again, and that's all that matters. Put the past behind you :) All the best.

    Tillie Martinussen
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My thoughts Exactly. It really IS a unique, beautiful perspective this photographer gets. Wow!

    Load More Replies...
    AmandaAbel
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cats have so many different attitudes and personalities. I commend you for capturing a bit of yourself in the photos you take, which are stunning, quirky, full of energy and passion. Thx for your beautiful contributions!

    LisaPeterson
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Magnificent. So sad that you've been through so much, but amazed and glad that you turned all of that into such a fantastic, cathartic outlet.

    ArwenJayne
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Felicity, your pictures are incredible as is your spirit.x

    EwinaJasmina
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love your pictures! Cats are really the best therapists. I do the same. The world with cats is amazing:)

    Helga
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Your photos are very deep and I can perceive a hint of melancholy, I love them. My cat too helped me through a very difficult time of my life. Since I adopted him I've been happier than before.

    Load More Comments
    You May Like
    Related on Bored Panda
    Popular on Bored Panda
    Trending on Bored Panda
    Also on Bored Panda
    ADVERTISEMENT