I recently received a Red Ribbon award at the Alvin Gittins Gallery at the University of Utah! It was one of those moments that stays with you. Not because of the recognition, but because of what it represents. Moments like these mark a point where the work leaves your hands, enters a shared space, and is truly seen.
This recent recognition served as a reminder of something essential about creative practice. You have to show up. You have to submit the work. And when something good happens, you have to allow yourself to acknowledge it.
The Photograph and the Moment it Captured
The photograph that received the Red Ribbon is a black and white film image I captured at a Buddhist monastery in Hong Kong. It is quiet and observant, focused on stillness rather than spectacle. I did not take the photograph with an exhibition or award in mind. I took it because the space felt grounded and meaningful, and I wanted to capture that stillness honestly.
Shooting on film asks for patience. There is no instant preview and no opportunity to rush. You slow down, observe the light, and wait for the moment to unfold. That process mirrored the atmosphere of the monastery itself, especially in contrast to the surrounding hustle and bustle of Hong Kong.
Working in black and white allowed me to focus on form, texture, and light without distraction. That approach continues to influence how I think about photography and creative work more broadly. Simplicity, intention, and attention matter more than perfection.
The Importance of Putting your Work Out There
Making art is only part of the process. Submitting it is the other half, and often the harder one. Calls for entry can feel intimidating, particularly when the work feels personal. You are trusting others to spend time with something you made quietly and with care.
Submitting this photograph was an act of trust. Trust in my instincts. Trust that the work was worth being seen. Trust that even if nothing came of it, participation itself mattered.
That choice made the difference. Opportunities do not exist until you step into them.
Why Celebrating Wins is Part of the Work
It is easy to minimize moments like this. To tell yourself it was small, or early, or not enough. Over time, I have learned that doing so does not serve the work or the person making it.
Receiving a Red Ribbon at the Gittins Gallery is worth celebrating. It represents validation, yes, but more importantly, it represents participation. The work left the studio, entered a public space, and connected with an audience.
Every win counts. Especially the early ones. Celebrating progress does not mean you stop striving. It means you recognize growth while continuing forward.
How This Experience Continues to Shape My Work
This experience continues to inform how I work as a photographer, visual artist, writer, and marketing professional. Visibility matters. Consistency matters. Showing up matters.
In marketing, you cannot build momentum without engagement. In art, you cannot build a practice without submission. The principle is the same across disciplines. You create with care, you share with intention, and you allow space for connection.
That lesson continues to shape every role I hold and every project I take on.
A Reminder Worth Repeating
My photograph from a Buddhist monastery in Hong Kong represents more than a single image or an award. It represents the courage to submit, the patience to wait, and the importance of acknowledging progress along the way.
Putting your work out into the world is an act of belief. Celebrating each win is an act of sustainability. Both are necessary if you want to keep creating.
Let’s create together!
xoxo,
Michaela Rae
