A local photographer has put the camera down and picked up a pen, all to share her inspiring story.
Sara Knight of Sara Louise Photography is an award-winning photographer who has been working in Penrith for years, now she has put pen to paper to write about her story for the new book Women Living Fearlessly.
The book, put together by Women Changing the World Press, showcases the story of 25 different women all speaking about a topic unique to them.
Knight’s chapter is all about overcoming family and domestic violence and her struggles with mental health issues.
“This book is specifically about how we combatted our fears and how we became the women that we are today,” Knight said.
“A lot of my chapter has to do with overcoming domestic and family violence as well as autism and having mental health issues to deal with. I am officially diagnosed with CPTSD, severe anxiety and severe depression, even though you wouldn’t be able to tell.
“It’s about what I did to get myself past those to be able to be this award-winning photographer that I am today.”
Knight chose to tell her story now because she felt like it was important to help other women.
“It was about time I started telling my story and trying to boost other people to reach their dreams because that is what everyone needs to do,” Knight said.
“We’re all miserable these days because we think we just have to get up, go to work and it is what it is, but it’s not. We deserve to be happy, and we deserve to live to our fullest potential.”
Prior to being selected to contribute to the book, Knight had never written before, and it was something she found a little bit daunting.
“I had no idea what I was doing, how I was going to form sentences and all that, but I think being part of this process with the 25 other women really helped,” Knight said.
“We would meet fortnightly on Zoom and talk about what we were feeling, what we were going through, where we are going with our chapter and then we would just sit there quietly typing.
“It was a great process. I think it has brought me more out of my shell than I was before.”
Major celebrities even have their hands on a copy as it was part of the gift bag given to attendees at the Academy Awards just a few weeks ago.
If you want to get a copy of Women Living Fearlessly, make sure to visit http://www.saralouisephotography.com or visit http://www.amazon.com.au.
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.