I am a Photographer and a Health Coach based in Australia and working everywhere.

Who I am, I am Ana Maria

You know, when it comes to where my story begins, it's a tough call. My tale has been unfolding over a decade, and a couple of paragraphs just won't do it justice. So, let's kick things off with my latest escapade and how all the dots connected to bring me to this very moment in my life.

Picture mid-2017, and I'm gearing up for a journey that will alter the course of my life. I was yearning for a place to not only learn English but also swing open the doors to a fresh chapter in my professional realm. After weighing my options, I set my sights on Sydney, Australia.

Back then, I was deep into my role as the videographer for Juan Manuel Santos, navigating the hectic waters of the Colombian Presidency. It was intense, and demanding, but I managed to ace it. Despite my lack of video experience, I dove headfirst into the unknown. Looking back, that risk was worth it – embracing the challenge, enjoying the ride, and soaking up the lessons.

Fast forward a bit... August 10, 2018 – the day I left Colombia with a plan to study for 8 months, maybe a year tops. And guess what? I'm still here in Sydney, standing strong. You'd need a whole book to capture every experience I've had – the laughter, the struggles, the tears, the sickness, the yearning, the love, the giving up and starting over. I've adapted and I've discovered something crucial – I found myself. I embraced who I am, flaws and all. I've unearthed my path, and that's no small feat.

Speaking of discoveries, Sydney taught me something powerful: insecurities don't just vanish, no matter where you jet off to. That universal question – "What am I doing with my life?" – echoed in my mind. I craved significance, like any person plagued by self-doubt. We all want to prove ourselves, right? It's that feeling of being disconnected from our core selves. We're here to make a mark, to stir the world. But sometimes, fear steps in, and it whispers that our dreams are destined to flop. That we're doomed to fail.

Then comes the moment of self-reflection, the journey inward. Managing our fears and insecurities in the midst of our own strengths and brilliance – that's the real deal. Our shadows, those hidden fears and insecurities, meet our light – our strengths and positivity. Juggling both lets us own our full selves. For me, embracing both sides was the key to becoming whole, and authentic.

As I delved into my journey of self-discovery, I've embraced self-worth, health, and spirituality in a kinder, more profound way. My experiences and talents are now tools to guide and inspire others toward holistic well-being.

This transformation didn't unfold overnight. My story is a mosaic of struggles, pain, and triumphs – each piece crafting my unique path. A pivotal step was my 2020 resolution to become a Health Coach. The idea had been brewing for years, and now, living in an English-speaking land, it was time to seize the opportunity. Little did I know, 2020 had a curveball waiting.

Boom – a global pandemic hit, turning the world upside down. Four months of isolation in an unfamiliar place, financially strained, but guess what? I powered on. Daily studies, meditation, gratitude practice, exercise – I embraced it all. Even in the storm, I stood resilient, illuminating my path. I didn't just survive; I thrived.

I was eating better, meditating to ease my mind, and adapting. The course and the pandemic, paradoxically, became my anchors. They shaped my perspective, guiding me toward what truly matters. Sure, there were tough times, and moments of doubt, but I pressed forward, armed with new tools. My light never wavered. Today, I'm shining brighter than ever, charting my course with clarity and determination.

anamariagarciaphotography@gmail.com
Made with Love

Awards, Recognitions & Nominations

  • Best Street Photography | Urban Village, Local lens Competition. Sydney.

  • EL TIEMPO, journal. Award for journalistic excellence in 2016, on the best multimedia work.

  • Journalism prize for the best news coverage given by Interamerican Press Society 2015, to work made in the 7th World Urban Forum with EL TIEMPO journal.

  • Mention of honour prize Multimedia Daily Life category, at documentary photography contest, Pictures of the Year International (POY) 2015.

  • Colombian Journalism Prize Álvaro Gómez Hurtado 2015, category, Best Photography.

  • Colombian Alvaro Gomez Hurtado Prize nomination, Category Multimedia.

  • Colprensa Journalism Prize, Category Best Photography, ‘Noah's ark’ taken in Fontibon neighbourhood floodings on April 2009.

Lens of Life: Memoirs from a Photojournalist Journey
Lens of Life: ...
By Ana Maria Garcia
Photo book

IIN Alumni — Whole-Person Health Certificate

Awarded:Nov 5, 2021

VERIFY

Integrative Nutrition Health Coach (INHC)

Awarded:Mar 23, 2021

VERIFY