Enjoy the Journey (and the Uncertainty)
Earlier this year I had the incredible privilege to photograph Ugo Uwaoma and his wife, Jacqueline.
“I grew up in Nigeria and went to school there as a young person. I was lucky that my parents understood the importance of education and pushed me to get as much education as I could. Through hardwork and determination, I went to medical school at 15 and was a physician in Nigeria by age 21.”
“At the time, my parents put their life savings into sending me to the U.K. for post-grad studies, where I met my wife and began the journey that led me here to the U.S. I came to do my clinical residency training and landed in Harlem Hospital, taking care of people there. It was a tough environment, but it was there that I developed a passion for leadership and advocacy. It really shaped everything I do now to provide support to underserved groups.”
Like me, Ugo was laid off in 2022 from a previous corporate role. I asked him to share a little about that previous corporate role. “Here I am starting a new thing, in the space I want to be. Without being laid off, I wouldn’t be in this position. I’m now leading a company in the healthcare field, driving outcomes for a population that needs attention at the moment.”
“Looking back now, I’d tell my younger self to embrace and enjoy the journey—especially the uncertainty and the failures because that’s where the growth comes from. The journey is really more important than the destination. It builds character and opens the next door.”
“I learned that from my headshot experience, too. The pictures tell a story about who you are and where you are in your journey. It was very symbolic. I’m starting a new role, in a new space that I've always wanted to explore. I am looking forward to the opportunity to use all the life experiences that I've had, while still being open to learning and knowing the discomfort and uncertainty will always be part of the future. I really look forward to what the future brings.”
Thank you, Ugo, for sharing your story with me and trusting me to capture this next phase of your journey.