What an inspiring story. I’m 53 and still don’t know what I want to do when I grow up 😂. You’re never too old to make a positive change!

I love your story. I started taking photos of wildlife not too long ago and I’m not sure why the thought came to me to start but it was after a time that caused me a lot of anxiety and put me into a dark space of negative thoughts and feelings that I didn’t think I could escape. Luckily with the help of family and friends I’ve had support and photography also has helped me to feel peace, love and healing.

Three years ago, at 40, several events happened that led to me starting over in many ways. Anxiety, regret and doubt were followed by relief, excitement and optimism. I had to laugh a bit when you said old at 31, because I felt precisely that restarting at 40 and people decades older than me laughed at it. I now look at it as having the life experience necessary to have more control over the next steps of my life, so I don't have to regret not having followed these pursuits sooner. The people questioning your decision clearly haven't internalized that Mary Oliver quote, hopefully they too will one day be fortunate enough to really feel it. I'm looking forward to what comes next with your channel!

What a beautiful and touching story. Thank you for sharing. You might be my robin…

Chiara. I love your story and I am so happy you decided to follow your heart and pursue your passion. I spent 30 years in a career that made me miserable, even though I knew my passion was photography and wildlife. I wish you the best of luck on your journey.

Hi Chiara, It’s a brave move and very admirable. I too have suffered quite badly in the past with anxiety and am also about to embark upon a similar venture to you with nature photography (landscapes and wildlife). I wish you all the best and I’ll be following along on your journey.

Hello Chiara, I'm in very same position but I haven't found bravery to quit what I am doing and I even struggling with time for photography. All because I have kid and I am currently the one who brings money to the family. I even have to spend time in work and then with family. So if I want to do wildlife photography I would have to replace my job with it. But! And that's why I am staying back from becoming wildlife photographer. I have no idea how to make decent money from it. Teaching others could do a little but honestly most of the professional wildlife photographers doing so many things. Selling photos thru many platforms, writing articles, doing workshops, expeditions etc. It is overwhelming honestly.

Hi Chiara, Wow, and what an amazing and inspiring story it is for so many people that you share. That first encounter you had with a Robin bird was a special one for you. I had a very similar experience as a wildlife photographer last year, in 2023 when this Robin kept close contact with me in the trees as I moved around taking pictures of the bird. The Robin is one of the most curious types of bird and most often will follow you if you are walking in wildlife areas or even outdoors. They like to get reasonably close compared to other birds. One tip I can give you is whenever you are taking pictures of a Robin bird, be respectful of the wildlife and don't rush to take too many pictures of the bird in one hit. But to relax into the photo opportunity with your camera and lens and take the prize-winning pictures that the Robin bird will afford you as long as you move in a manner that is conducive to taking great photographs of the moment. If the Robin bird is getting that close, then there is a degree of interest there and for you the chance to take a stunning photograph of a beautiful bird that most people with cameras will never be able to achieve because they scare the bird off in flight. I believe you made the right choice way back when you did, and now you can build on those early pictures you took of the Robin and create a stunning portfolio of images to impress others. Congratulations on your achievements to date.. and continued success to you as a wildlife bird photographer.

What a beautiful story! I hear the voices in my head to take the leap as well! I love birds and have been photographing them years ago. I quited because i thought my pictures were not good enough. The critical voice. It is hard to shut it down and start to believe... I am 37. I have a great job in ecology, but its mostly indoors writing policy and doing meetings. Your story inspires me to pick up my camera again and start to register the beauty of birds and animals with people! Thank you and enjoy living your dream! ❤

Just discovered your channel. What a great story. I am a retired physician, but widowed five years ago. I have gotten into bird photography as an amateur. I would rather keep my photography as an avocation rather than a vocation and not have to worry about making a living from it . But I’m excited to find a new KZfaq bird photographer who is from Italy ( I have visited Italy about 25 times.)Look forward to future videos from you and also catching up with the old videos

Hi Chiara! I'm just happy that now you're feeling much better! I started my wildlife photo journey when i had my issues with mental health as well, actually had MADD (both anxiety and depression disorder) and can imagine a bit how painful it is too. Birds also helped me a lot to survive past years and changed my life a lot. I love my current job, but I'd say, bird watching and bird passion is so important and healing

You Chiara are a warrior! I’m a 50 year old man who finds inspiration in your words, your experience and actions. Go get em!! Subscribed!!

As someone else with GAD I very much relate to your story. You have come a long way and your photography is excellent. I wish you all the best in your photography journey.

Chiara, you are a very brave, powerful and inspiring young lady. Thank you for sharing your story so openly and deeply-it’s rare to virtually meet someone so genuine and honest. I can see how your psychological and photographic journeys are intertwined, and yours is a beautiful story of success all around. I’m a mere 66 but have had photography in my life since I was a boy. I recently retired after a long and successful career, and I’m looking to follow my heart in a second career, or perhaps just chapter of my life. Your story really resonates with me, and your advice is always so simple, yet essential. I may be starting a new journey with your help. I am grateful for you and your work. 🙏

Watching this, so inspiring, that quote so beautiful, making my old man eyes leak.

Congratulations on your decision to pursue your dream! I’m confident you will be successful! I look forward to seeing and learning more from you!

You are an amazing and beautiful human being. My sister, my daughter, my friend I never met, but I send my love across the sea and let you know that you are not alone. You have so much to share with anyone smart enough to listen to you. Photography and art are the best way to connect your spirit to the earth and help to heal. I wish you the best in your journey, but also remember your words and your experiences are just as valuable as your art.

tough job doing anything in the arts. Hard to pay the bills without an enabler for support at home. Glad you've decided to be a teacher. Good luck.

lovely story, i am in the same stage of my life, i am in my 50's and in a lot of pain with my joints and i suffer mentally too. I have been in the photography trade on and off for a long time i started in my 20's in professional darkrooms. I am like you taking a massive step forward soon over the coming months.

Thank you for sharing your inspiring story! You're really brave!

Wonderful story with a touch of magic.

Thank you for being you. You make the world a better place.

What a brave descision to follow your heart and your dreams. I´m a birder and a hobbyist photographer and dreamed about becoming a professional wildlife photographer but never had the courage to jump in the deep. Probably i´ve missed the Robin on the way. Thanks for your honesty and openess to tell your story. I wish you all the best in your new career. May the birds be with you and go for it!!!

Good for you Chiara, keep your dream forward and I share my motto in life, "Lead, follow, or get out of my way...."

Incredible story and wishing you every success on your journey but more than success wishing you inner happiness with your new life. We are never to old to make changes , I was 42 when I went to college and now at 57 have 2 degrees . Just remember we’re never alone on a journey , a robin is the sprit of a departed loved one and they help us on our way through life . Keep doing what you do Chiara with a smile on your face and a will to succeed

My college professor told me “those who can do… those who can’t teach” And while you are not yet a full fledge commercial photographer, you are a wonderful teacher on KZfaq , and already a very good one at it. The correlation here you’ll find applies just as well to your medical career. if the environment is toxic for you, it does not mean there is no venue for you to teach and guide others in their medical careers or up-and-coming apprentices, by starting your company or joining existing ones. You needn’t give it up entirely. Going up the hill or around it will still get you to the other side pick the path more suited to you . Best of luck, Chiara we are rooting for you .

I think you are a very brave girl to do what you are doing! The majority of people out there would be jealous. They would remain in their cage and not have the courage to quit a job and follow their heart. Life is about living, with the decision you made I think you are already successful. Follow your heart, love what you do and you can't go wrong. Congratulations!!

I am a retired veterinarian who has been interested in birds and photography most of my life. I am strong in identification, and life histories of birds but weak in photography. I think I will enjoy your vlog. Looking forward to learning from you!

Thank you for sharing your story. It's a very hard and brave decision to choose for change. I wasn't sure what to expect from this video but I am happy I took the time to watch. I am in a very difficult stage in my life as well, questioning my way of thinking and the choiches I have made. I wish to quit my job and look for the things I reallt enjoy but I haven't got the courage yet. I do feel it is growing on me. Then there is the Robin. Ironically we have a little Robin living in our backyard in a little round tree. We hang a little feeding house in there to help him through the winter. It's a joy to watch him eat and live in our little tree. (I even scare the cats to protect him, althoug I am quite sure he can manage himself). Maybe he is trying to tell me something as well in the end.

Hello Chiara, photography saved my life and made me live the best moments of my life. I just spent a few days photographing Pink Flamingos in Camargue so I understand very well what you feel.… I wish you a great photographer life… take care, enjoy, and never give up, we have one life, and passion is the only reason to live! Best regards from southwestern France

Brave Young Lady! Follow Your Dream! What an inspiring story! You are going to do great things in life!

Thank you Chiara for sharing your success story, listening to your heart and not to your mind,you inspire lots and lots of people who are in the same dilemma as you.wish you all success in years to come.

beautiful lady and beautiful photos. I wish you all the best. You are well on your way.

Super inspiring to see you following your dreams! I wish you all the best in your new career and Im looking forward to follow you along this new journey! ❤

There is strength in defeat ; there is courage in fear; Remember the story of Antaeus in Greek mythology ? Your story is such an inspiration. Mental health issues are are not the easiest to deal with and come out in the open! Nature is always the best healer! Looking forward more videos on bird photography techniques !

What a wonderful story! thank you for sharing. And by the way, you are by no means old! I'm 51 and still haven't figured it all out!

Congratulations, You have already succeeded in life. Nature heals all, I subscribed to your channel and look forward to watching your journey!

A fantastic story and I wish you every success with your journey. I can totally relate to how you were first inspired by a Robin. I had a similar experience with Roe deer, which led to a passion for wildlife photography.

I'm happy for you & thank you for sharing your story. I wish you the best of luck

Congratulations and i wish you the very best and success in your journey and i will be delighted to keep seeing your videos and thank you for sharing and been inspiration to me and many others! 🎉

I'm so happy for you! I wish you the best of luck on your journey and I cannot wait to see what amazing new things you'll do in the future. And, as a fellow wildlife conservationist, I hope you enjoy your postgraduate course!

Chiara thank you so much for sharing. It’s so incredible to hear about your journey and I know you will inspire so many people. You’ve inspired me as someone who is also transition to a career that is very similar! Thank you for making this video!

I just found you today . What an inspiring story. YOU ARE A VERY BRAVE WOMAN! With your very pure heart to guide you there is noway you will not succeed and inspire. Thank you for sharing amazing personal story.

Wishing you all the best for your new and exciting journey. Good luck!

What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing! In your new life, you are already a success!

Be proud! Well done, you are strong!

I am so happy for you. Congrats on your new path in life and can't wait to see how things go for you. You are an inspiration to us all. Follow your dream and your passion....

Such a brave and inspiring video! To open yourself to the world in such a truthful way requires unbelievable courage. You've become that Robin! Thanks so much for sharing your experience, it's incredible inspiring!

Absolutely love this video, the future is unbounded for you. Looking forward to your future videos.

Great for you to finally break free! I wish you much luck and happiness in your new adventure!!!

What a great story Chiara, thank you for sharing. I can relate to a good amount, I'm 41 and just starting, or rather decided to take it more seriously. I've subscribed and looking forward to following you journey. Best wishes!

Congratulations on following your passion! You will be amazed at all the support you will find and get in your pursuit of your passion and life.

Fantastic story Chiara such a brave move wish you the best for the future and look forward in following on the channel.

Love love love this! Good for you!

Wow that was very touching!!! I know it took a lot for you to share with us!!! At some point I got the feeling that you shed a few tears before you could go on!!! I'm very happy for you, that you are getting to do something that you love so much!!!😊👍👍👍

Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your story. Go forward, do what you love, be who you dream you can be.

Thank you Chiara for being so honest with your previous conditions and how you beat your demons. I truly admire your honesty and I wish you the best on your wonderful journey. Look forward to watching more of your videos and seeing more of your work.

Hoi Chiara ,inspirational story, full of meaning, stay strong and creative, best regards 🌷.

Great story. Thank you. Love to see more pics

Congratulations! I wish you every success. Also wanted to say what a brave and inspirational video

This is a very inspiring story. Thank you for putting yourself out there.

Thank you for telling your story, it is incredibly inspiring. Well done for being brave and for following your passion. I hope your new career and life brings you peace, joy and fulfilment. Best wishes. Jools

I wish you all the best of luck with your adventure! I'm also a postdoc with a real passion towards wildlife photography, so I can relate very much! :) I'm really happy for you!

You awesome!!! Thanks for sharing part of your life with us. Love from North Carolina USA ❤

Congratulations Chiara on making such a big decision and taking a big step towards achieving your dream! Good luck, I hope you succeed!

Very inspiring., you embodied that little Robin's spirit. While I have been a landscape photographer for a while, I am only recently starting my wildlife photography journey so hopefully it will be a successful one also. I wish you all the luck and success on your journey. Subscribed. Take care!

This is an honest and heartfelt video. I was thinking when seeing it, maybe photo and wildlife conservation could be an meaningful and an important direction, and that’s what you did. Best of luck! 😊

Follow your passion and your heart. It’s the path to happiness and fulfilment. As an amateur wildlife photographer just starting out I have subscribed.

A robin made you change your life. Nice story. Thank you for sharing.

You are a very inspiring person. You have all my respect and I wish you all the best on your way!

Congratulations on pursuing your passion and broadening your life experience through exploring art and science, while you immerse yourself in Nature! What a healing process this has been for you! Your journey has touched the lives of many other people who struggle privately with their own negative emotions and self-defeating patterns of behavior. Surrounding yourself with Nature and learning the rhythms of life in various ecosystems reconnects us to the ground of being! It would be wonderful to take one of your wildlife photography workshops!

Thank you for sharing - I'm very happy for you. All this will go well. Kind regards from a cabin in a swamp in a rainforest in Aotearoa-New Zealand.

Thank you for sharing your story!

Love this video. Thank you.

Your story is beautiful as are you. Thanks for sharing.

Wonderful!

A very inspiring video, thanks for sharing. Best wishes in your new career, ATB Alistair 👍

Great share, thank you. Living your Dream - who could ask for anything more.

Just the caption was enough for me to subscribe your channel, best wishes 👌🙏

Love your channel, you're a great storyteller and very inspiring!

I'm glad for the surprise that shifted the direction of your life ,,,, all the best to you

Great video 👏good luck with your new venture in wildlife photography. You should be very proud of yourself 🤝

I don't usually watch long videos, but your story really captured my interest. I wish you well in your change of course. I have a daughter in law that is a genetics researcher and I often wonder if she is really happy with her career choice. Good luck!

Excellent video 😊

Well done Chiara. Best of luck, wish you every success!

Ther is a saying that if a Robin comes to you it is being seen as a sign of new beginning and renewal, also they are kind a spiritual sign to uncover happiness. Funny thing is that it has happened to me yesterday while hiking with my camera, and i cannot stop thinking about it and i do believe it is a sign of something. Now seeing your video it is put my believe in it much stronger. So happy for you that you were able to follow your passion and doing things that makes you happy both mentally and physically :). You got yourself a subscriber and fellow robin encounterer that may have changed something. Definetely looking forward for your next vid :)

Thank you for sharing your story! And congratulations for your courage to leave an established career for what is a hobby for us. But no wonder, you really must have been an artist all your life if tour first pictures were THAT insanely good!!! I have a friend who shoots masterpieces with quite a simple setup. I've been taking pictures since the era of point and shoot film cameras and then 3MPix digicams... but was getting nowhere until I moved to Australia and took a half decent shot of a rainbow lorikeet😂 I got completely hooked on bird photography and now also birdwatching (thanks for the tip on binoculars!). Keep up great job and sharing your masterpieces with us! Good luck with your new job!!!

Your never to old to rethink your life, and good for you but you have done something for and that's given me hope because I also suffer with depression and anxiety, and I'm getting the urge to get out with my camera, good luck with your new adventure.

Such a beautiful story of transformation, so inspirational. Beautiful to see how il pettirosso guided you to open the door. Spero di seguirti presto Chiara! In bocca al lupo. ❤Mary Oliver's poetry.

Thank you for sharing this story Chiara… i did something similar when i was in my early 30s (was a little while ago now !) and i made it work …. You will succeed, of that I have no doubt. Know that you have inspired me once again after some significant life changes to follow my original dream - lovely story Chiara !

Well done I wish you every success and happiness keep the faith the Robin had in you watch and listen to nature it can teach you so much and share your story. Your the light for others be yourself and dont hide it.

My story is similar to and different from yours in interesting ways. I feel what you went through in your journey. I wish you all the success your life can hold!

A marvellously articulate and personal presentation. Truly inspirational.

Very intersting life story. Maybe my future will put in front off me the sames challenges, I will loved it. Thank you so much from Brazil.

Glad to hear that all is moving in the right direction.

Amazing ❤

Thanks!

a beautiful, emotional story... follow your passions! Daje Chiara!!! :)

I really keep thinking lately about quitting my job, but I wish I had the courage that you have shown!!

Chiara. Wow non ho parole. Sono molto contento per te per il grande passo che stai facendo e ti desidero il meglio. Mi ha commosso molto come ancora ti emozioni e come lo trasmetti. Sono sicuro che diventerai in una grande professoressa e in una grande fotografa. Per me ormai sei uno esempio 😊