The Girl Behind The Lens | S.M. (Discontinued)

Part 1- My Life

"She's gotta bad reputation, she takes the long way home"

-Shawn Mendes, "Bad Reputation"

~~~

My dad was photographer. Every time he had to work on the weekend, I would go with him. I was so amazed of how every detail could be captured with one device and how magical the photos were. The way he smiled as he took a photo made me see that he deeply loved his job and appreciated to have it.

I even stole the camera once and took photos around the house. I wanted to know how he felt when he took the photos and what was all the fuss about, but he never let me touch it again. I was so sad that day, because I really loved taking the pictures.

On my 6th birthday, my dad gave me a princess-themed camera and I was the happiest girl in the world. I ignored the other presents and took many photos during the party. Since that day, I knew I had a passion for photography.

But a year later, my dad died on a car accident and my mom, my little sister, and me suffered a lot but we stayed strong and continued our lives, even if it was the hardest thing I have ever done. The last thing my dad gave me was one of his old cameras and I still have it as a reminder of him.

As I grew older, I continued to take photos of beautiful views and sometimes people but I never took photography classes because the first time I tried to enter the classroom I got reminded of my dad and cried. So I am just taking photos as a hobby and I have never showed them to anybody, except my sister, Isabelle.

And here I am dressing up in my room to sneak out of the house at 4:20am so I can take a photo of the sunrise without my mom knowing. I put on my grey Coca-Cola tank top with red jeans and black Vans. Also, I put on a black beanie on my head so that I don't have to brush my hair. I take my camera and my phone from the nightstand and tip-toe out of my room. I walk to the front door not making any sound and I open and close the door slowly.

I take out my light blue bicycle from the side of the house and paddle away. I was going to go in my car but my mom would hear the engine and I would be grounded.

I finally reach the hill that is a little far away from my house, all sweaty and tired. I put of the bicycle on the ground and turn on the camera. I sit there on the grass, waiting for the sun to come up and eventually, I fell asleep. But then I ray of sunshine wakes me up. I jump to get up and take one of the most beautiful photos I have taken. I stand there and appreciate the beauty of the sunrise until the alarm on my phone starts to beep. I run to the bicycle, place my camera on the basket and paddle back home before my mom notices.

I get off the bicycle, place my phone on the back pocket of my jeans and I was about to enter through the front door when I see my mom surprisingly opens the door. I stay still, really hoping she doesn't see me.... even though she is standing right in front of me, glaring and with her arms crossed.

"What were you doing out of the house?" my mom asks.

"I was... waiting for you so we can go to the bakery?" I said, putting the camera behind my back.

"Oh really? Well I appreciate it" she said and smile.

I sigh in relief and was about to take a step into the house until my mom said:

"I know you are lying" she said, grabbing my hand and revealing my camera. I look down at the floor. Dammit...

"Where were you now, Luna? At the beach, at the mountains, where?" she said.

"I was taking a picture of the sunrise" I said.

"Look, I like that you continue to take photos but you are always risking yourself for them. A person may have kidnapped you or ran you over with their car"