What if being laid off from your job was actually a good thing?

It feels like every other day I hear about someone being laid off from their job, or how challenging the job market is right now. Getting caught in the middle of this can be incredibly discouraging and depressing. 

So what can you do if you find yourself there? I recently got to photograph the inimitable Tami Wong, whose story shows how when facing hardship, sometimes the best thing to do is to try something new. 

Tami lost her job in biotech last year after her company enacted a sweeping round of layoffs. This is a role she had held and loved for years. She was discouraged, to say the least. One evening, feeling overwhelmed by the job hunt, she sought refuge in something she loved — reading her two young daughters their bedtime story. Then suddenly, something clicked — she loved reading to her daughters, what if she tried writing to them? 

Through her newly formed daily writing practice, she worked through much of the shame she had felt around alopecia (something she dealt with since early adulthood) and aimed to instill in her children a love of themselves just as they are. This turned into Tami’s first book: a story for children titled “Hair Pride”. Beautifully-illustrated by her friend Amanda Dowell, Tami’s book delivers a powerful message about self-acceptance, diversity and the true beauty that lies within every child.

Tami has also emerged as a passionate online advocate for alopecia awareness and I highly recommend following her on Instagram. She not only sheds light on her personal journey with alopecia but also offers valuable insights into wearing wigs and navigating the challenges associated with the condition.

Tami’s story is a positive reminder to follow your instincts and keep creating and exploring. Even through setbacks, you never know what great things lie ahead. Personally, I can’t wait to see where Tami’s journey takes her next!

Find your own copy of “Hair Pride” here.

Are you ready to share your project with the world? Putting yourself and your offerings out into the world can be scary, but having great photos makes it a little easier. If you’ve been thinking about updating your brand photos and creating some new content for your offerings please send me a message.  Let’s find out if the Quarterly Content Club or one of my quick Headshot Pop-Ups are a good fit for your needs.