If you know me, like, really know me, you’ll know that I’m a pretty shy person. Unfortunately, being a quiet and introverted photographer does not bode well when you have bills to pay. While in Salento, Colombia, I was wandering around the highest point in town taking the path back down to town when I spotted three soldiers relaxing at the foot of a cross. I thought to myself what a great photo that would make but my debilitating shyness led me back down the path to the bottom of the small mountain. After reaching the base, I realized I had just tricked myself into not doing something I actually wanted to do. So I built up the courage, and the physical endurance, and jogged up the steps. Once up top, the hustle up the mountain had transformed me into a gasping, wobbly-legged mess of a human being. I stumbled toward them, took a deep breath, and asked. They smiled and said, “claro que si.” Well, that was easy.
After getting the shot, I hung out for a bit and showed them some other photos of my travels. They couldn’t have been older than 19. I asked if they wanted me to email them the photo. They laughed and said “no, that’s for you.”
MORAL OF THE STORY: While I’m not so sure the photo was all that successful, the lesson I learned was the most valuable.
So, like that Smiths’ song says:
“Shyness is nice, but shyness can stop you from doing all the things in life you’d like to.“

