If you could make a career change, what would it be and why? This is not a hypothetical question for me, because I am in the midst of such a change. My path has been anything but straight. I have had jobs that did not make me happy at all. Think about administrative jobs, telephone operator, library clerk, filing clerk, and even factory work. None of these positions satisfied me. Until one day my contract was not renewed and I was forced to rethink everything. And so I started in photography. Taking pictures was already a passion, so why not do it for a job?
For about ten years I poured my heart and soul into photography. Mostly pet photography, family shoots, portraits, and even a few weddings. I loved it. Capturing the personality of a pet or the bond between people and their animals was so valuable.
But then came the rise of the “wannabe photographers”. People who had just gotten their hands on a digital SLR camera, and what they did was destructive to me. They offered free portfolio shoots! Especially in dog photography, where I had the most work, it became a race to the bottom. Clients increasingly chose quantity over quality. I always followed the principle that I wanted to deliver my photos perfectly, even if that meant that there were not 500 photos to deliver. Better 50 perfect photos than 500 photos that were mediocre at best, right? Clients thought differently. The missing ear of their dog was no big deal, and an out-of-focus dog was no big deal either. They had 500 photos and for free! That was what counted. I could not and did not want to compete with this. The competition took away my joy. I learned two important lessons:
A passion can die in a toxic environment.
I value creativity and fulfillment more than competition.
Eventually, I decided to quit photography. It was a painful decision, but necessary.
In 2020, my camera was gathering dust while I slowly rediscovered my creative side through painting. At first, it was a bit awkward, but the more I did it, the more fun it became. Then, in December 2023, everything changed again. For my birthday, my partner gave me a pyrography set. The next day I picked up a piece of wood and started burning.
With just a burning pen and some temperature settings, I was able to bring images to life on wood. By playing with shadows and textures, I discovered a whole new way of making art. Pyrography brought back the passion I once felt for photography.
And now here I am, at the beginning of a new adventure, with my partner by my side. Together we are building something where art and meaning come together. Our love for animals is leading, and our focus is on creating memorial products for beloved pets.
Here’s what we want to offer:
Wooden Pet Portraits: I burn custom portraits of animals into wood, as a lasting memory.
Memorial Objects: My partner makes wooden urns, ash jewelry, and memorial houses where you can keep memories of your pet, such as photos, collars, and toys.
We’re still working out everything, but this is our dream.
Every photo in this blog is a pyrography piece made by me. Completely hand-burned with only the pyrography pen I received from my partner in December 2023. With this gift, a new world opened up for me and a new passion was born. Each piece is made with love and captures the soul of the subject in the warmth and texture of wood.
This career change is not only about making money. It’s about finding joy again and sharing it with others. The things we want to do feel meaningful: creating art that helps people remember their beloved pets. Now we can only hope that it will be recognized.
If I could give one piece of advice to anyone considering a career change, it would be to listen to what your heart is trying to tell you. It might take you to unexpected places, but often those are exactly where you’re meant to be.
