About

👋 Hiya, My name is Erica, I'm the founder and photographer behind Calming Captures.

🌌 A little background about me and Calming Captures: 

   Back in 2017, Milky Way photography became a favorite hobby of mine in college with my best friend, Dustin. After a few years of practice, we 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. Cue Calming Captures is where I can share my landscape photography and the beauty in the world! I want others to feel what I feel at the moment. Peace, beauty, awe, and a moment of feeling stress-free.

🧠 My journey to mental health: (This could be triggering to some, so please read cautiously as trauma and suicide are mentioned below). 

    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.

   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, and she was my miracle. After four sessions with her, I was able to drive again, move away from the area, and finish my college degree. Most importantly, I was back to an Erica people recognized.

  As for the man, six months after the accident, I was told he was released from the hospital and survived. Almost 10 years later, I still struggle from time to time, but I have a resilient community of people, incredible hobbies, and mental strengthening tools to help me. If it wasn't for the treatment I received, I don't think I could've accomplished all that I've done over the past decade. 

  Aside from my PTSD experience throughout my childhood, I struggled with untreated anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. It wasn't until my adult life that I had a huge scare of wanting to commit suicide in March 2020. Soon after, I realized that these issues weren't normal behavior. I was so stubborn and refused help because I thought I was "fine" or couldn't afford the appointments. Thankfully, after finding the right psychiatrist, a few recommended self-help books, and support from friends and family, it motivated me to get onto medication and better my mentality. 

  Of those hobbies, photography, and travel felt the most healing for me, and I've always wanted to find a way to be able to help others who struggle with mental illness or are on their journey to mental health. As Calming Captures products are a simple tool and a starter to your mental health journey, I hope my story 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. 

🌄 How do landscapes help your mental health? 

The book "Chatter" mentions that viewing landscape photography releases stress hormones, and words of affirmation help you feel more present. The use of affirmations can help change your mindset, and while absorbing the natural beauty, you learn to appreciate the simple things and the beauty of life surrounding you. While working as a producer (an extremely stressful job), I printed out my Utah Milky Way landscapes and bought a coaster that said, "Be the good." When I felt stressed from a task, I took a minute to read the affirmation, recite it, and observe my photography. Suddenly, a wave of cortisol was released from my body, and I could finish my tasks without having a mental breakdown. 

My goal for these products is to help you be more productive, relieve stress and anxiety, and be your step to your mental health journey. 

💜 I appreciate you reading part of my journey and supporting Calming Captures. If you have any suggestions for landscapes you want to see in the future, feel free to send a message! I'll happily do customizations as well. Thank you so much for your support!

Stay groovy,

Erica, Founder of Calming Captures

Calming Captures ~ Your journey to tranquility.