The wee blonde lass? Whose she?
I'm Christina Damron - photographer, cosmetologist, half graphic designer, half website designer, writer, and an avid traveler.
Coffee is my favorite drink. I drink it black, but I love me lattes and fancy coffees from time to time.
I'm not a young fledgedly, but neither am I middle age- but I LOVE the stage of life I'm in. Happily single. I firmly believe that every age simply gets better and I've seen that to be true. Take care of yourself as you can and your body will take care of you as it can.
Lip reading is something I can do well. Actually watching movies with no sound nor captions to see if I can understand. Astonishingly enough I know little sign language. I live in two worlds....and somehow I thrive as it collides.
I am deaf in one ear and partial hearing in the other.You are, whether full hearing or deaf my friend,...I have no sides. BTW Sue Thomas FBI based on a real person is my favorite show • want a taste of how I live • watch it. You'll not regret it. She is my real life "hero"... a new world opened for me when I was introduced to her via screen. I discovered I was not alone...it is possible to live in between two worlds.
Everyone has a story to tell. Some don't want to tell it, but mostly I believe it's because we don't know how...or where to begin. My friend...simply start however broken or healed you are. No one has it together...including me. With that said...here are parts of my story.
My Past & Present
My
teenage
years
For long as I can remember, I've loved traveling. As a child, we could not travel much other than to grandparents. I longed to see the world from a young age. From the time I was little, I'd hear adventures from my grandparents. They and my mom sparked a tiny spark unbeknowst to myself at the time. The same was for doing hair, from a babe I'd reached up to play with my mom's curls. Growing up, I'd do updos and hairstyles for weddings and even as a minor for proms. It was not the same for photography. My love came softly and gradually. It was here before I knew it. And it started because I saw my mom was never in the photographs and my young heart couldn't take not having her in them. She gave me my first camera and enrolled me in highschool in camera classes. Everyone needs a encourager, she was mine.
At the age of 15, I had decided to graduate early. I was told no and I didn't believe that No. There was a dream, I was bound and determined to see it through. My decision, however required me to make decisions for my future earlier. If I wanted to go to college I needed to know. It was a quandary, however in trying to decide between my love of photography and hair. A dear family friend suggested why not both? The lightbulb went off. I went first for my degree in photography, yet when I got there it was suggested to graphic design. I did and enjoyed it...it is one of the few regrets that I never finished with one semester left to have a certificate. However, getting a degree in photography was a very good decision and as planned I attained a license in cosmetology.
By the way, I did see my dream come true. At the age of 17 not only did I graduate early to see my grandparents come, I also created a media presentation for all graduating students, and much to my surprise won a scholarship. To speak well has taken tears, tantrum, blood, and frustration of not hearing sounds. It still remains a struggle especially when those who could speak well easily choose not to speak well. Yet, ironically was the main I was speaker for my graduation. A fact that still astonishes me even today.
That was the grace and favor of God.
The years after that were hard and often unkind, but filled with beautiful and wonderful memories. Despite hardships, I discovered ways to find happiness in the small things. To experience moments more than things.
Once I hit my twenties, the family and I were traveling at least once a year for vacation. I loved adventures, climbing a 40ft telephone pole was thrilling. Rock climbing made me happy. Music continues to be to this day, an in and out past time. Created a radio story with friends, that I'll bring out from the archives simply to listen. The irony that I am good with sounds is not lost on me.
The Netherlands was the start of my love for travel photography. Thanks to my study abroad program I shifted from graphic design to photography degree. That trip forever changed me. It is also the trip that empowered me to •wisely• explore alone. No regrets.
I lived three months on at a camp, my nickname was "Gumby" . Though I was "hired" as a photographer, I did more than that. From kitchen work, helping in the shop, photographing and everything in between I was on the constant go. Up at 6 am and work done at 12 am. I don't miss the hours, but I missed the feeling of being part of something bigger than myself with people my age.
Once again, graduated cosmetology a month early. I worked jobs as I built my business. Fell into a nanny position- going strong for almost 8 years. During that time my sister and I visited Russia to England on a 5.5 month trips. Memories made and photographs to show. I often ache to go back, but know I never can. Not to that moment and even some of the people I will never see again. Life is precious meant to live abundantly and wildly.
My
twenties
Leading up to now I have visited 13 countries some twice and one thrice. My own online gallery was created. I've hairstylists for photoshoots. In the process of writing a book. Creating courses to help up level both photography and hair in daily living. Whether that world in my backyard or in Italy, there is so much to see, to learn, and to share. To see vivid textures combine with color is an inspiring way to look at part of the object. It is fresh and new. The colors of shells when you hold them in your hand, to the texture of the shirt someone wears is extraordinary. I love seeing the micro aspects of life, because it is they who makes up the big story. Portraits and events record a moment in time describing details that can only be told in photographs. It is my desire to inspire others of how stunningly beautiful they are. They are worth being loved and worth encouraging. When I make a portrait photo of them or share a photo, I want to delightfully change their lives for the better. It is my hope that you will go beyond the visuals to the heart of beauty. This is why I do lifestyle portraits, why I love travel photography.
Most of all, I hope you walk in the identity God calls you regardless of the cost. That you know who you are and whose you are. The no's can strengthen you as well as propel you. The yes's can hinder or encourage you. If I can help make you laugh or let the healing tears out of your eyes then you my friend are well on your way. It's your journey and only you can decide to take encouragement, empowerment, and beauty that God gives.
All things are possible...
Daring to dream. Daring to be real in my impossible dreams by doing hard at times invisible needed work. I can't settle for less nor won't settle for less. You see I have been told more a lot of No's in my life, but my Yes's have been life-giving. I've been told not in exact words to shut up, to be invisible, to not get in the way, that what I had to offer wasn't good enough, don't travel- I am a girl, its too dangerous, you talk funny- you should stop talking, or you think oddly and are weird. And that my dear friend, that's a lie. Lie athat needs to die. You know something? My no's and naysayers have shaped in many ways how I approach life. They've cause me to bend my knees, often times wake in the middle of the night; tears streaming down my face, choosing to worship instead of listening to regrets, and praying hard to lean into God's understanding not my own. By the same token, I've had people help hold up my arms. To strongly encourage me. Calling out the gifting with in me. Challenged me to not quit, but yet consider perspectives. The result?
I know who I am, but more importantly I know whose I am. For all the lies that has been told whether by others or myself to my at the time fragile broken heart- they can't stay forever. Those labels aren't meant to be my identity and they're not to be yours either.
My dreams aren't for only myself. I photograph not to bring myself pleasure...but to tell the stories of others that they can leave their legacy. I photograph so I can showcase a small part of God's glory in what's He has created and what He is doing. He created beauty and that's a powerful tool that we don't use as often as we should. It is not vanity to feel beautiful, it is not vanity to take care of ourselves, nor is it vanity to be the best that we can be in the calling that He has given us.
I do up-do and hairstyling not to make you *more* beautiful- but to bring your already existing beauty out. To help you learn your hair and help you feel confident in who you are create to be. To inspire you ,is my desire, to look your best and be yourself, not because you have to, because you are worth looking and being incredible in how God called you.
I believe the impossible, because when I am walking in His Will, I know my God to make it possible. I find myself swimming upstream when it would be easier to swim downstream. As time goes on I've learned I do things differently, not because its a rebellious streak in me, but because of how God wired me.
The no's have turned into a strength for me. My anger and disappointments proved to be excellent launching pad. I've learned to get to use my anger my disappointment to bring forth life. To help bring healing to others...not to fix anyone only God can be capable of that. Not all "No's" I've been told is what should hold me back or even propel me forward. Sometimes the hurtful no's have come from ignorance or others who unfortunately and unknowingly pave a way that could have hurt me and most likely others. I've learned painfully to release my own expectations and to grab ahold of what God says.
"Do nothing more, Do nothing less that what I've called you to do."
God spoke to me 2012 when I conversed with him watching a stream sitting a rocker...this has been a core message in my life.
My regret is that it took me more years than I would like with my life, finances, writing, speaking, photographing, (somehow my updos escaped for the most part) to come to this point. I'm not aiming to be the best photographer, I am aiming to do the best I can to tell stories that will reflect life via writing, photography, and hair. I learned perfection can actually be more harmful than helpful. Perfection was a mask that allowed me to keep running away from what I should be doing. Now, I understand more the power of grace, simplicity, and being willing do the hard things while loving what is mine to do.