“Risk taker” is not a phrase I’d typically use to describe myself. Often, I find myself hesitating to create the art I envision or to share my life’s moments, fearing they won’t be perfect or that they’ll be ridiculed. This hesitation directly contradicts my greatest fear: memory loss. It’s why I love photography so much. It captures a moment, preserving it forever in history. Travel opportunities are rare for me, so when they arise, I strive to capture every second. I never want to forget a single cobblestone or blooming flower.

Recently, I returned from a trip to the UK. The weather was perfect—never too hot, too cold, or humid. For seven days, it felt like paradise. Midway through, my partner and I ventured to Scotland for three days, expecting some weather changes given its northern location. However, we were unprepared for the ceaseless rain. As someone who fears damaging their camera equipment, it was a nightmare come true.

We had only one full day in Edinburgh, and I was eager to photograph its stunning medieval and Georgian architecture. Faced with a now-or-never situation, I decided not to care about the quality of the photos but to focus on capturing the memory. These turned out to be my favorite photos of the entire trip. This experience taught me an invaluable lesson about taking chances. It didn’t matter how scared I was of damaging my camera or that the circumstances were less than ideal. The photos were perfect because I took them anyway.

Embracing this spontaneity allowed me to enjoy the rain and appreciate the city’s beauty even more. I noticed other tourists also refusing to let the rain dampen their spirits. Everyone was on a mission to see the same castles, undeterred by the weather. Inspired by this, I decided that day not to let anything stand in the way of my art. Perfection is not a prerequisite for creation. The act of doing it makes it perfect.

From now on, if I want to create something, I won’t wait for the perfect moment. I’ll seize the moment, knowing that the very act of creation makes it perfect.

Words & Photography: Shantell Cruz