Discover who's behind the lens of Calming Captures.
I'd love to share my journey through mental healing with you. In hopes that sharing my story could help you with your healing journey.
Hiya! It’sa me, Erica in Yosemite National Park, California
🌌 A little background about me and Calming Captures:
👋 Hiya, it’s Erica, the founder and photographer of Calming Captures. I’m a Central Florida native and always loved being outside as a kid. The outdoors always appealed to me but I wouldn’t say I was the “outdoorsy” type. I mostly played sports, took weekend family trips to beaches and parks, or I would be playing outside with my brother. I didn’t realize the importance of being outdoors and in nature until adulthood and when stress, anxiety, and depression started coming into my life.
Eventually I found Milky Way photography and it became a favorite hobby of mine that brought me back outdoors. The excitement of finding a location with minimal light pollution and a clear sky is always a new adventure and enticing. Being in nature and in complete darkness is a whole different world and feeling. Seeking a unique composition with the galaxy in complete darkness is a significant challenge with a lot of trial and error. But once you find the perfect shot and it’s breathtaking.
After a few years of practice, my best friend Dustin and I set a goal to travel to Utah and capture the Milky Way at an International Dark Sky park. Once I was in Utah, I realized how much stress and anxiety I lost while seeing various beautiful and unique landscapes. After that, I was hooked and wanted to focus on traveling and photography more in my life. I had no idea how nature could cure my anxiety , stress, and depression. Cue Calming Captures where I can share my landscape photography and the beauty of the world in hopes to inspire others to get out in nature to be in the moment and stress free.
Milky Way behind Landscape Arch, Arches National Park, Moab, Utah
🧠 My mental health battle:
(This could be triggering, so please read cautiously as trauma and suicide are mentioned).
In 2014, I had an experience that no one could have imagined. At midnight, while driving home from work on an extremely busy highway, a homeless man attempted to commit suicide and stepped out in front of my car, going ~45mph. He was in my blind spot, and I didn't see him until it was way too late. I'll spare you the graphic details because it was a sight that no one should ever experience. I was over the unconscious man on hold with 911, and I could only do one thing, pray. I prayed for the man and asked God to give him a second chance. I knew I would never be the same after that moment and prayed for guidance.
I was in complete shock; my brain went mush, and I was no longer myself. My brain just experienced unimaginable trauma. I felt so guilty for an action and result I had no control over. I knew I needed help, I attempted to try three different medical facilities but they all denied me because I wasn't suicidal or they were afraid of a lawsuit (even though the police report stated otherwise). This BLEW my mind! How could medical facilities deny someone who was actively seeking help before they became suicidal? I didn't want to be baker-acted: I wanted a professional to help me recover from trauma.
Dark storm overtakes beautiful sunset
☀️ My community and uprising:
Thankfully, I had a great community of people to support me and get me back to the Erica they all knew and loved. I had co-workers cover my shifts, outstanding managers who would protect me, friends who would babysit me so my mind wouldn't go into chaos, and a resilient mother who wanted her daughter back and did everything she could to help me. I went from the most outgoing ball of energy to a broken flickering light.
My church recommended a counselor who helped first responders with PTSD using Accelerated Rapid Therapy (ART) and she was my miracle. After four sessions with her, I was able to drive again, finish my college degree, and follow my passions. Most importantly, I was back to the Erica my loved ones recognized.
Ten years later, I still struggle from time to time, as new waves of life flows over the years. I’m thankful that I have built a resilient community of people who recognize my downs to help build me up, incredible hobbies to continue to motivate me, and mental strengthening tools to help me feel centered. If it wasn't for the treatment I received, my community I wouldn’t of accomplished all that I've done over the past decade. My community and ART therapy changed my life.
In my late 20s I discovered I had untreated childhood trauma, that caused me to struggle with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. It wasn't until I had a huge scare of almost committing suicide in 2020 I realized that these issues weren't normal behavior. I needed help. I was stubborn and refused help for A LONG time because I thought I was "fine" or could “tough through it” or “it will pass”. I made endless excuses of couldn't afford the appointments or didn’t have the time. Thankfully, after finding the right psychiatrist, payment plans, and recommended self-help/spiritual books, it motivated me to get onto medication and on my mental healing journey.
Of those hobbies, photography, and travel felt the most healing for me. However, I encourage you to find a hobby that is healing for you and that you can take outdoors! Being outside for 20 minutes heals and helps regulate nerves. I've always wanted to find a way to be able to help others who struggle with mental illness or who are on their journey through mental health.
🌄 How does nature landscapes benefit your mental health?
In the book "Chatter" by Ethan Kross mentions that viewing landscape photography releases stress hormones. Absorbing the nature’s beauty, you learn to appreciate the simple things and the beauty of life surrounding you. While working as a producer, I printed out my Utah Milky Way landscapes and posted them on the wall in front of my desk, then I added my New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Scenic Byway photos as a screensaver, and bought a coaster that said, "Be the good." When I felt stressed from work, I took a minute to read the affirmation, breathe, recite it, and observe the photography. Suddenly, a wave of relief was released from my body and had an ease of calm.
🔌 My Business Plug
Calming Captures creates products that are simple tools and a starter to your mental health journey. Absorbing nature landscapes (even in photo form) automatically makes your feel good by reducing stress, blood pressure and overall providing a sense of calm. My goal for these products is to help you be more productive, relieve stress, anxiety, and be your guide to start your mental health journey. I hope my stories and photography can encourage you to find the support you need. It is possible to see the light in darkness and discover the beauty in life again.
I appreciate you reading part of my journey and supporting Calming Captures. If you have any suggestions for nature landscapes, or destinations you want to see in the future, feel free to send a message! I would love to hear from you about your journey in nature and mental healing. Keep following along as I’ll be posting more about my personal stories, benefits of being in nature, mental health guidance, travels, photography trips, tips, & tricks, and journeys in life. Thank you so much for your support!
Stay groovy ✌️
Erica,
