All images by Eva Kassekert.
Throughout most of my life, I avoided looking too closely at things that made me uneasy. Whether it was uncomfortable thoughts, emotions, or the quieter corners of nature I had been taught to overlook, I pushed them all away. Not out of defiance, but because I had never learned to sit with discomfort without feeling like it would overwhelm me – then I found photography.
In a society that teaches us to minimize, hide, or push away what feels uncomfortable, I followed the pattern without questioning it. I didn’t realize how deeply ingrained that habit was until I found myself staring through my lens at insects I once avoided, noticing details I had never allowed myself to see.
Early Childhood
I spent much of my childhood hiking with my parents, yet when I reflect on those memories, I realize how disconnected I was from the world around me as I passed through it.
If I encountered a bug, it was background noise, something to step around, fear and ignore. Over time, I’ve come to see that the way society minimizes small emotions or uncomfortable feelings is mirrored in how small aspects of life are treated as disposable or invisible.
As I walk through nature with my camera now, I notice the insects and details I once disregarded. In paying attention to them, I’ve begun giving my own emotions that same care.
A Blessing…
Photography has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. It has taught me to lean into what once made me uncomfortable. When you allow yourself to sit with painful feelings, emotions, or even the realities of nature, you open yourself up to a deeper understanding. Most people avoid that discomfort, but I’ve learned it’s precisely what expands perspective.
Only a few years ago, a cricket in the house could trigger a complete panic response. Now exploring the world through my lens, I see the detail and liveliness of wildlife beyond what the human eye alone can capture.
Instead of seeing something dark and scary with “too many legs,” I now see living creatures going about their day, doing what they need to survive. This transition has been one of the most meaningful shifts of my life.
Getting out into nature and grounding myself in the earth has deepened my curiosity and admiration for the natural world. Working through my fear of insects with the help of photography led to far more than tolerance.
As curiosity replaced fear, I began teaching myself about these insects, their roles in the environment, and why they matter. Through that process, I developed a deep respect for the small lives I walk alongside.
Today, I stand proud in my love for all animals that share this planet. Photography has taught me to advocate for those without a voice, reminding me that small lives matter just as much as larger ones. With a deeper love for nature, I’ve also become more compassionate toward myself.
I now see meaning in every small corner of the Earth and my life, and that awareness continues to guide my passion and heart.
Face Your Fear
If you’re someone who turns away from things that scare you, it may be less about fear and more about unfamiliarity. Often, what feels threatening is simply something we don’t understand yet, and avoidance can feel safer than exploration. But curiosity, even at a distance, has the power to soften fear.
When you allow yourself to question instead of retreat, space opens for understanding to grow.
Photography can be a gentle way to begin that process. You don’t have to photograph insects or confront your biggest fear right away. You can start with anything that quietly pulls your attention.
Holding a camera creates a sense of distance and intention, allowing you to observe without pressure while remaining present. On the other side of that curiosity is a world waiting to be seen, and sometimes, a deeper understanding of yourself.
Signing Off
Through photography, I learned that paying attention is an act of care. What we choose to look at, and how long we stay with it, shapes how we understand the world and ourselves. By learning to stay with what once unsettled me, I found not only beauty in overlooked life, but patience and compassion within myself.
Photography has become the quiet practice that taught me how to keep looking instead of turning away.
More reading: Photographers Make Bugs Look Adorable and the Internet Loves It
