Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon da Cunha.
Hi Sharon, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, tell our readers some of your backstories.
My name is Sharon, and I am from The Netherlands, currently temporarily living in Florida in the Orlando area as an English student. It’s always been a dream of mine to experience living in Florida for a longer period instead of vacationing a few weeks per year. Studying English here in the Orlando area allows me to improve my English, live here for an extended time, and I have time to improve my photography skills. I love photography and have been taking pictures for many years. It is my main hobby besides (long-distance) running and riding my bicycle. I have completed four full Marathons. First one in New York, two here in Walt Disney World and one in my hometown Amsterdam. It is my dream to one day make a living with photography. I would love to one day become a concert/music photographer. I have worked as a bookkeeper in my home country for many years. Last year I decided to leave my job after working there for eleven years and follow my heart and dream. Right now, I am on a career break. This gives me time to reset and explore my options for my future. Being here in Florida as a student allows me to experience living in the US and gives me more time to become a better photographer. Photography is still a hobby, but Florida has so many places to take beautiful pictures. I love to capture live music, nature, dogs, and family photography. Here in Florida, I have been going to Disney Springs for many years, mainly capturing the musicians that perform there every night. I love being there. Over the years, I have learned a lot, mainly because I spent the evenings during my vacations capturing the music entertainers at Disney Springs.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a long road to finally be able to live my dream and be here in Florida. I had to have enough means to take the step to leave my job and take a year off to study overseas. Also, it has been a long road to get my Visa from the US government because of the pandemic. The US consulate has been closed in Amsterdam for almost two years for regular Visa requests like mine.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Last year I started my own photography business in The Netherlands. I have only done a couple of small projects, mainly for friends. I am in the middle of a career change; while I am in Florida as an international student, I cannot work here. So while I am here, all photography I do is not professional. I specialize in live music photography (at Disney Springs) and pet (mainly dog) photography. But I have also filmed and edited a few promotional videos (which can be found on my website). One of them is a promotional video, ‘chair massage.’ I am very proud of that one, as it was the first video I created by request. So I do not only take pictures, but I create videos as well. I do like to capture things the way they are. Keep it natural.
Who else deserves credit for your story?
Hard to name specific people. Over the years, I’ve had many friends and people around me that support my (photography/video) work and encourage me to follow my dreams. My mom has been my main supporter; without her, I would not be here in Florida. For now, my photography business has yet to start. But I hope within a couple of years, I can start to grow my photography business enough to make a living out of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sharon-dacunha.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sdcnl99/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharonphotographer020/
