We recently connected with Olya Blase and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Olya, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

My Instagram account and blog is called Hint of Thought. I believe we can elevate everything to the next level if we have even a tiny ‘hint of thought’ behind it.

There is stuff we have to do.
There is stuff we can’t not do.
There is stuff we can’t undo.

Amongst all this is one truth, you have to DO to get anywhere. We tend to spend so much time thinking of how to alleviate risks that it takes us further away from doing. What is risk anyway, but the action before you have all assurances, before your mind has generated a bucket of alternative solutions to “what if” scenarios. Risk is a beautiful thing, risk and perseverance is so much more, it is the essence of living vs. existing.

As the philosopher Alan Watts once said: What do you desire? What makes you itch? What sort of a situation would you like?… [W]hat would you like to do if money were no object? How would you really enjoy spending your life?”

This quote drives me daily. This may be about passion to some, but above all it is about reality, your reality. It is about listening to yourself and having the grit to act on your gut feeling, and to persevere as life ebbs and flows. While passion is a lovely concept, not everyone has a choice to pursue it immediately, sometimes a person has to take steps in order to get close to the opportunity they want.

A person’s passion might not be making a living in a specific way, but living differently. The way to stomach a drastic change is having a specific purpose in mind, which is often stability as the first step. Stability is not passion, but it can be a step towards more opportunities. That alone is the beauty of life, to have an open mind, and to think long term. The strength is in the ability to have perspective. To not let it drag you down even when some people can jump into their favorite activity and you have to start with establishing a stable foundation first.

This is not unique, but it was my journey. I moved alone from another country after high school for the chance of going to college and having a better life. I had no relatives here and barely any money. It took six years before I was able to see and hug my parents again. Yet, through all those years my parents were and are my biggest cheerleaders. The power of knowing that someone believes in you with all their being is beyond empowering.

I think we forget that reaching stability is a critical accomplishment, you need foundation. Then the hard part is keeping an open mind for the next opportunity. You do not know when it will come, but if you do not spend time preparing for it, you can never grab it. So, another risk is having the guts to let yourself pursue change. For that, you must listen to yourself and let that authenticity drive you.

Savoring a moment is extremely meaningful to me. Imagining and creating drives me. For me photography is a irreplaceable part of life, it fuels the fire within. I get goosebumps from being around people that are hustling, those that are striving. I feel most alive when I can capture someone’s authenticity, show a sliver of their story. I have been photographing for a while and every day I get fired up to learn more of this craft, such as seeing the light, especially that light within the person. You know how people’s eyes light up when they talk about someone or something they love?! Capturing that light is a special moment.

What we do, the accumulation of small and large events, our decisions and the people that surround us, those are the forces that propel us forward. The gift is to keep our spirit ravenous for experiencing life through our ups and downs. We as humans have the ability to pull ourselves out of the unfathomable. It is not magic, it is ABILITY. It’s a skill of recovery from what we’re told are unrecoverable situations. It’s the act of overcoming the so called impossible. Not in spite of anyone or anything, but simply, plainly because it’s the next step. Like that frog that fell into milk and kept on kicking. Maybe you’ll find solid ground under you after all by virtue of not giving up, by virtue of perseverance. Not obsession, never obsession. Grit and perseverance.

So let’s do what needs to be done!

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?

I love telling stories through my photography and video content, and connecting with enthusiastic remarkable people that are pursuing their dreams! I get fired up about capturing authentic moments that help tell the story.

Each photo has a hint of thought behind it. Media to me is purposeful and thoughtful. It is a powerful tool similar to a language. I believe there is strength in candid visuals, ones that are relevant and alluring to those seeing it.

Life is demanding. Rarely do we have the time to do it all. Do we ever? I am here to help.

I am based in Kitsap county, Washington and serve the greater Puget Sound and Seattle region.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Prepare now… it will be too late when opportunity comes.

Here is a story that my dad told me that remind me to keep on keeping on.

There is a story of an actor that wanted to act in Hollywood. His friend said, study English and when time comes and I have an opportunity I will call you. Time came and the friend called him, but the actor did not study English so he missed the chance. “If only I had known.” Said the actor. “I told you to start preparing” said the friend.

What I have learned throughout the years is that we can only rise to the level we let ourselves think we can reach and then doing consistent work towards that purpose.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

There is a phrase I heard from Sue Bryce (a well known photographer, speaker and educator): “The most powerful energy that comes out of the body is authenticity, your truth.” I believe when people approach others with authenticity, that bounces back with similar energy.

The dream is to nurture a community in our Seattle region that brings remarkable people together, people that hustle and try, that create ideas and pursue them, people that are genuine.

Think about it, when we connect, we cannot help but mirror one another even if for a very short moment. Psychologists call it the “chameleon effect.” Each person we connect with leaves a piece of their being, an intangible reflection imprinted somewhere on psyche. Every person we make a connection with reflects in us and so we also reflect in them.

Some people leave an indescribable impact, be it one we comprehend or not. It’s just there. Similarly to when we open the door and let the outside breeze in, we cannot shoo that air out of the house after that moment. It all becomes part of the other, not because it is good or bad, but because it can’t do it any other way.

And thus, each one of us holds the incredible power to bring something positive to others around us, however small and unnoticed in the moment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.olyaslens.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hint.of.thought

Image Credits

Olya Blase Lens