Today we’d like to introduce you to Lydia Troupe.
Hi Lydia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am the photographer behind Mywonderlust film & photos. I am 20 years old currently studying psychology whilst also being a collegiate student-athlete. Now one may ask, how did a nerd/athletic person get into photography? Easily. I can thank my best friend who I met when I was 14 years old. As much as I was an extroverted person and very outgoing I, by no means, liked being in front of the camera. On the other hand, my best friend and her mom loved to do photoshoots and one day she had invited me off guard to do one. It was pretty awkward at first but soon photoshoots became our little thing we did together. At this point of time, I still didn’t know how to work a camera, but I realized that I loved editing photos. I loved swaying the colors, the light, the shadows, as those simple things could change a photo so drastically. I soon realized that after a year I wanted a camera of my own. When I was 15 years old I saved up enough money to buy a Canon T5i rebel camera. It was the same camera my friend’s mother used to take photos of us, but honestly it was years later till I started using it. For a long time, the camera collected dust in the packaging it came in.
It wasn’t until my freshman year in college when things changed. The worldwide Covid pandemic was what kickstarted my photography journey. When everyone got sent home from college and it was announced that there would no longer be a season… I didn’t know what to do with myself. At that time I was learning how to draw on my iPad digitally and hanging out with two people: My best friend and my track friend from high school. One day during the summer of 2020, my friend Kyndall asked me to go on a photoshoot with her. Of course, I said yes- so I dressed up and prepped to be a model, but for some reason that day I also decided to bring my camera just in case I saw something cool in the city. During that shoot at one point, I had an idea for a photo whilst we were trying to think what to do. The photographer asked if I had a camera and I said yes. He then proceeded to say, “Okay, you seem to have a good vision in mind. How about you take photos of Kyndall and show us what you see?” I was most definitely a little nervous- the most I had ever shot was pictures of my sister in the backyard… but I took my camera, said okay and proceeded to try anyways. I took photos of my vision and showed it to the photographer. He said, “That’s dope, you really have an eye- you should think about doing photography”.
Although this was no professional photographer, hearing those words was what inspired me to believe that I did have an eye. I had something special- a vision and I finally wanted to see what I could do with a camera. That summer I was reaching out to my friends that were in town in Kennesaw to do shoots. At this point in time, I still didn’t know anything about a camera and never used a manual, lol. When a photo was too dark or too light I didn’t know what to do because I didn’t know anything about shutter speed, aperture, or ISO. But with time that soon changed.
When I posted my work and edited it, I had my friends and family look surprised at how decent the photos were. They weren’t half bad. During this stage, I didn’t have a vision for myself as yet and was simply shooting for fun. I realized I loved talking to people while shooting, sharing short stories and most of all I loved making people feel beautiful. The smile on their faces when they saw a photo of them that they liked. It truly warmed my heart, because I remember how I used to feel behind the camera when I liked a photo.
By the end of summer, I was still very much an amature but I was so excited to see what more I could do. I started to follow a lot of photography accounts- started pinning ideas that I had, and drawing ideas and scenery in my head. When sophomore year started I was very excited to shoot more. I had started an Instagram page and I could at least show something. I learned basic camera functions from the small coincidence that the on set from photographer from Stranger Things and Outerbanks, Curtis Bond Baker knew my acting my friend, and asked both me and her to do a shoot together. From there he was kind enough to want to help me with photography and teach me the basics.
I tried to shoot shoots as much as I could. Being a student, an athlete, and trying to add a new hobby to the list isn’t easy. I didn’t care what my coaches said or thought or what my parents or friends said. To the world, they would say I was burning myself out and spreading myself thin, but at the time I think a lot of people didn’t know that photography was the only thing truly making me happy. School was frustrating and gave me burnout, and track wasn’t going so well for me that season; and although photography was new, it kept my mind running and filled with hope. I wanted to shoot so bad I shot the only day I had free… Sundays. I had school and practice Mondays- Thursday, and Friday – Saturday I was competing and traveling on 3-6 hour bus rides to meets and back. We’d come home either at midnight on Saturday or Sunday morning. Then with the little time I had left on Sunday, I’d squeeze in a shoot before the week repeated itself. I’d stay up late on Sundays trying to finish homework assignments and study for exams. While all at the same time try to still have a social life and have a little fun. It was a lot , especially since I couldn’t let my grades drop at all since I wanted to go to medical school. I continue this cycle every spring semester- I am happy to say that it is getting easier and I couldn’t be happier.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No one wants to hear that it has been easy- but quite frankly for me it has been. Every mistake I give myself grace and turn into a lesson. I remind myself- I can always fix it next time. Making mistakes is just a step closer to me becoming a better photographer. Mentally I’ve been battling my passions. Currently, the goal is to go to medical school to be a pediatric psychiatrist. I know that is something that I am passionate about and something I would love to do, but the medical school aspect is very intimidating. As I continue to pursue photography and meet more creatives this little hobby I have is turning into a burning passion, but I am split between what to choose. My love for photography is growing with every shoot and every new person I meet along that path. I’m not only passionate about the photos themselves- but also the type of people I have became friends within the creative field. I realize I resonate more with those who are wild-minded than those students following medicine. With time though, I know the answer will come to me and my calling for whatever that answer is will be obvious.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a freelance photographer located in Atlanta. Although I do not particularly specialize in anything, I hope with due time and more experience I find my niche and where I’d like my photography to take me. Up to date, I’ve done couple shoots, portraits, weddings, graduation photos, senior photos, event photography for sororities, and my own creative plans. I believe I am known for truly capturing the story and emotion in my photos. I’ve heard from a few people that when looking at my photos, someone can really resonate with the emotional vibes and energy felt. If it is a couple of shoot, they can feel and experience that intimacy, love, and happiness in their own way through a picture. I am most proud of my progress in such a short period of time. I am proud of how far I’ve come with experimenting in photography and the increasing complexity of my concepts. In the future I have two paths I plan for my photography to go. The first path is storytelling and emotional bonding through editorial fashion and photography concepts.
Recently I’ve realized that pretty pictures are nice to look at, but I want my photos to be more than just a pretty pictures. I want my photos to tell a story. I want my audience to learn new perspectives, have emotional bonds, and resonate with the stories and emotions I depict through my photography. For example- my most recent shoot, “Her Natural Hair journey” was the idea of a black girl finally approaching the acceptance of her hair and deciding to go to her first beauty supply store. I believe it’s a stop in every black girl’s life to self-discovery and embracing her natural hair and roots. Aka the start in her hair journey. That is the simple explanation of this journey, but any black woman knows that this self-exploration is a lot more than just finally accepting your hair. It is combating what the media tells us to do in order to be seen as “beautiful”, “acceptable”, “professional”, “intelligent” and much more. It is no secret that embracing our natural hair causes for a lot of future judgments, and critics from the white man. Embracing your natural hair journey is refusing to assimilate anymore. It is claiming our blackness.
Path number 2 is more my personal photography. I hope to travel the world learning about the different cultures, religions, and practices of other countries and people.
While I’m in these countries, I want the most authentic and true experience of what life is like. I don’t want to stay at resorts or anything like that. I want to find the secret spots only the natives to that country know and explore those areas. I want to hear the history and the stories passed down from generation to generation. In the end with what I’ve learned, I’d like to depict a huge photoshoot depicting this particular “culture” of people to the best of my abilities. Not only that but telling a story through all the photos and experiences I have while I am there. I believe although my audience may not know exactly what it was like to be there, their minds can be a little more open and less closed-minded about other religions, cultures, practices, and people. To be more accepting and aware. What sets me apart from others? Six words, My goal – “to endlessly inspire others”. All my success and achievements don’t mean anything to me If I haven’t helped my community or the people around me grow in any way.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
One of the most important lessons through my photography journey is simplified in these five words: Creativity is not a competition.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mywonderlustfilm.wixsite.com/my-site
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mywonderlustfilm/?hl=en
Image Credits:
All photos were taken and creative directed by @mywonderlustfilm. The photos with the group of girls and group of guys: Photographer/ Creative director: @mywonderlustfilm, Creative Director Assistant @Chloareecreates
