We were lucky to catch up with Aubrey Lee recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Aubrey, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Wow, this is a fairly loaded question. Peculiar Perspectivez is a not-for-profit personal blog and free photography service, in short. My mission is to help others feel “seen” or “heard,” regardless of their story. New business, difficult journey through life, peculiar point of view on an issue – it doesn’t matter, I want to hear [your] story. This idea came to me after a series of grand mal seizures and the realization that no one is promised tomorrow. I came to the conclusion that although I have experienced some beautiful, amazing, crazy things/places – I am wildly uneducated on how others view the world. Just because I experienced a certain event one way does not mean that is the only way. Through years of therapy I eventually comprehended that just because I perceived [an event] one way does not mean the others involved perceived it the same way, I want to know “the other side,” if that makes sense. What is possible through the eyes of another?. I also like to use: “Many say everyone has a story, but not everyone has the guts to ask about it; Well, I do.”
Although I work full time for “the man” that is not my passion, I, like everyone else have struggles and need to pay the bills, so = Peculiar Perspectivez is a side passion or hobby. In exchange for a business or individual being vulnerable with me about their story, I trade a photo session of their choosing. It could be product photos, family photos, a self-motivation photo shoot, it does not matter. I also do not photoshop anything, I enhance the beauty already captured.
Photography is a passion I’ve always had.
So, in summary, I share my passion, you share your story, and I learn a new or addtional perspective whilst educating myself.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

LOL – while writing is something I love, writing about myself is a difficult challenge for me. So bear with me.

My name is Aubrey, those close to me call me Aubz for short. The “Z” from Aubz is why one comes across it so much on my website, it’s a part of me. I’m 32, I’m from the middle of nowhere Indiana and now I live in the middle of nowhere Michigan. I am a type 1 diabetic and have been since the age of 8 (I wear an insulin pump), I have seizures, and many many other medical issues that this box probably doesn’t have room for.

I’ve always been “the blacksheep” friend, the outcast, the one that doesn’t quite fit in anywhere. I’ve been “the fat girl, the emo kid, the person with too many tattoos, the person with the alcoholic mother and no father figure, the one in the poor family, the oops child, the outspoken, the one that asks too many questions,” you get it. But, despite all of that – I have made a fairly decent life for myself, without anyone holding my hand. I’ve lived in Australia and Costa Rica post college and just this year I bought a house with my (female) spouse.
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I used to say, “I’m a no one,” many did not appreciate that, so now I say “I’m just Aubrey.” I feel strongly about curiousity and intention, so “I feel” if someone wants to know more, they will ask.

In this journey I’ve learned that talking about myself could come off as inaccurate because I may perceive myself different than others perceive me, so the perspective of me lies with [you]. I know I am a villian in some stories, but “be as it shall.” (That is my saying).

I’m very sensitive, I cry about everything but I’m stuborrn as hell. Laughing is my favorite thing in this Universe. For a long time I wanted to be a standup comedian but leaving this ethereal realm in a more positive place than I came into it as is my goal now.

How I got here? Mmm, a lot of self reflection and questioning. I am an analyst by day and chronic overthinker. I am a person that always wants to know “the why, the how, and the difficult.” I’ve met many interesting individuals in my journey through this life and I thought, “how can I get exposure to my photos and help others get their story out,” thus Peculiar Perspectivez was born. There is no industry, I haven’t received many inquiries, but I honestly feel that those who Peculiar Perspectivez are intended to reach, it will reach and from there it will grow.

What do I feel I provide? I feel I provide a unique service as photo sessions are VERY expensive these days, although I respect that, my trade is free, there is no catch, I just ask for grace in returning photos and writing the initial blog as I work full time. I also provide a listening ear, a safe space to be vulnerable, and a chance at exposure. One may never know who their story and/or experience may help.

I am most proud of even carrying out this idea/business/passion. It is unique or “peculiar” in itself, but it’s worth it. I am unique or peculiar. I don’t want to be like everyone else. Not everything needs a profit, just heart.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Although redundant to my earlier writings, I will chose this one.

Others have said that I have been “dealt a shitty hand.” However, I don’t want anyone’s sympathy. I know that sounds harsh, but I am one that thrives in challenge. I am very spiritual and I believe in “soul contracts,” and if my soul simply decided to “sign up” for these challenges for me to grow and learn from, I feel in my heart that is authentically Aubrey.

A few examples:
– I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 8, my mother nor I had a solitary clue what that was. Sticking yourself with needles 4-8 times a day is a nightmare for an 8 year old. But I did it, I had to. Through that, I did not really have a chance to “be a kid.” I was always monitoring what I ate, what my blood sugar was, how many carbs I was intaking, did I remember to give myself a shot, can I project what my sugar will be in a few hours, is my swift mood swings attributed to a high blood sugar… I could go on forever. With that, people around me were always monitoring me as well, however – most of whom were not educated on what this disease entails. The amount of inaccurate information or things individuals have said to me are outrageous.

– Being the fat girl, I was/am have always been overweight, my entire life. But like any other little child, I wanted to be a model, a cheerleader, a dancer, whatever… to have adults around me tell me that was NOT obtainable `because I was fat at age 10 is a tad earthshattering. But guess what, I did it. Because of my diabetes, I had to get into an activity to stay healthy, I chose gymnastics and tumbling. I picked it up fairly quickly, within a year I was asked to join a traveling competitive team. Yes, like “Bring it On.” I did that for 8 years. I will honestly admit I was no where near the best, I was decent. I then joined highschool cheerleading. I was second from the best in skill, but I was always cut because I “did not mesh well.” Between being the fat girl and emo, (hey, I liked metal, whats the big deal?), I understood the politics of a small town. My parents (my mom remarried when I was 14) then started to control my outter appearance, makeup, hair, clothes, tanning etc…. once I changed that, I made the team immediately. Long story short, I eventually became captain and won an award my senior year.

– Addiction. My mom is an alcoholic, so was my “sperm donor” (AKA: my real father – he was absent my whole life), my older brother, and eventually myself. I started drinking to escape emotions when I was 18, I did not get help for my addiction until I was 30 and got married. My spouse, Miranda eventually sat me down and told me how I was blacking out and emotionally hurting her. I love her, she is the last person I would want to hurt. I would drink at work, as soon as I got home, any and all day … just to stop feeling. But when I realized I was hurting those around me, I quit – cold turkey. I faced “those emotions” I was running from and grew from that. I am the person I am today because of that. I have a little drink every now and again, but I don’t get out of control. I LOVE feeling deeply and emotionally, I will contribute those feelings to helping me develop Peculiar Perspectivez.

– Seizures: In college, I dropped cheerleading everything and played college rugby for 4 years. Although, one of the best time period of my life, I developed seizures and could no longer play after college. I have had seizure in my corporate work spaces, had my license suspended multiple times leaving me to WFH for months on end. Although WFH is not terrible, I started to isolate. Going to the grocery store was hard. Luckily I have been seizure free for nearly 9 months now and things about settling nicely.

– Being gay. I knew I was gay at the age of 13. But I did not tell a single soul until college. Actually, my friends in college told me. I “dated” males in highschool but I would end up breaking up with them for no reason. They would ask me why and my response would be “I don’t know, I just don’t like you.” When I had my first girlfriend, it all made sense.

– I’ve had multiple other instances such as my mom telling me I was an oops child, my “sperm donor” abanndoning our family when I was 6, being r*ped when I was 15, dating someone in college that was severely physically abusive to me, and more. However, intent. If someone wants to know more, they will ask.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

This is a good question.

I have unlearn many things in my life. Guilt, shame, blaming, hatred, conflict, etc…

But to recall one of that hardest things I had to unlearn just to turn around and relearn were emotions and feelings. I am still learning today, but with all the years of drinking I endured, I was not really sure what I felt or how I knew I felt them. For a long time, my therapist and I decided I would describe my emotions and/or feelings in colors. We worked from there. It eventually evolved to closing my eyes and describing what I felt physically or what I saw/day dreamed of. I am still to this day working on it. It is quite difficult, but growing as a person is something I desire so greatly. It is a “thing” that doesn’t have a finish line. Failure and stagnicity is something I am so so SO scared of. Staying the same is something I am also fearful of, therefore no matter how hard or painful growing may be, I owe it to myself.

I do want to give a shoutout to my therapist, who has to remain anonyomous, but I would not be the version of myself I am today without her. Thankful is not a deep enough word to describe how I feel. I often tell her that I hope we are friends in another Universe because lawfully we cannot be here.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.peculiarperspectivez.org
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/peculiar_perspectivez
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550628011589
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/aubreyklee/
• Twitter: @ItsjustAubz
• Other: Working on a TikTok profile soon, JUST opened a Twitter or “X” this week.

Image Credits
Credit to: sydneymariephotography (for the photo of me and the canvas on my booth)