“I Was Here” is an exhibition of 24 female-identifying photographers from around the world. From snapshots taken via Facetime in quarantine to photos of places made hollow by the people that are no longer there, these photographers rail against the isolation inherent in the human condition while finding and preserving beauty within these empty spaces...

Lauren Zaknoun

Has it been a smooth road?
It has been a bit of a challenging experience for me only because this wasn’t the path I initially envisioned for myself. I have struggled with looking for validation to feel more secure in pursuing photography full-time. I am also at a point in my journey where photography isn’t consistent income, sometimes bookings are slow and far in-between. I have full support from my friends and family so the only pressures that come with my passion is how hard I am on myself. Sometimes, we forget to recognize our progress and take a step back to be proud of ourselves and the work we do. On the flip side of things, being my biggest critic has helped me grow at an exponential rate as a photographer. I didn’t choose this career because I knew it would be easy, so I don’t have expectations of a smooth road but I will be intentional about enjoying the ride.