August 24th marked the 3 year anniversary of the first video on my YouTube channel and the 29th marked the 3rd year since my first post on this website.

At that point of 2019 I had been freshly out of the hospital and trying to recover from another really bad flare up from Crohn’s Disease and Colitis. I had already been fighting for my life for 10 years with no relief and had reached a low point in my life. The next two years followed up with several family members passing away and my coming out. These past 3 years have been evolutionary to say the least.

Canon TX
Through it all, my photography and these platforms have been my saving grace. I can’t stress enough the saying you have nothing if you don’t have your health. I don’t think this can truly be understood until you experience it yourself, and I’m sure many of you out there know what I mean.

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I went from a healthy 21 year old straight out of college, working for a major ad firm to suddenly a disabled person with a deadly disease and PTSD that no doctors could help. My life flew past me without my consent and suddenly here I am 35 years old with no career and nothing to show for all my hard work and dreams.


Photography and my need to be creative truly has saved me. My life definitely doesn’t look the way I always thought it would, but I have a wife and a child on the way. That is something I NEVER thought I would be able to say. Now I am just trying to pick up the pieces of what is left of my body and professional life while documenting it all through my photography.
All of this just to say, thank you. Sincerely from the bottom of my heart. I don’t think I would have made it through that last flare up without this outlet, and the jury is still out on whether I can survive another.
All of your comments, and encouragements have meant more to me than just a stat on my analytics. It has kept me going these three years and I really hope that I’ve brought some added value to your lives as well.
Starting off the 4th year of AVCA I’ll just say, until next time, stay motivated and keep shooting.
Congrats on three years, Aly. xx
Thank you
I’ve had a couple cancers during that period The sometimes brutal treatments used to stop them give me some considerable sympathy with your health issues. Makes this ‘anniversary’ an even bigger triumph.
Thank you 🙏 you understand then. I hope you’re well now.
Congratulations! You’ve done a great job!!
Thank you
Congrats!!! So glad I found you and enjoy following your journey!!!
Thank you! I’m glad too
Congrats!
Congratulations on 3 years! I thought you had been doing this for much longer. It’s really impressive what you’ve been able to accomplish in that time, especially with your health issues. I love all your content but more importantly I appreciate what a kind person you are. You really open yourself up and its been nice getting to know these past couple months!
Thank you. I appreciate that.