From IT Engineer to Full-Time Photographer in Edinburgh: Why I Made the Leap
After years of building systems and solving technical problems, I made a decision that surprised many: I left my career as an IT engineer to pursue photography full-time.
This wasn't an overnight choice. It was seven months of prayer, reflection, planning, and honest conversations with my family about what truly matters.
The Pull Towards Photography
Photography started as a weekend escape from the glow of monitors and the hum of servers. But something shifted when I began photographing families, couples, and friends. I discovered I wasn't just capturing images—I was preserving moments that people would treasure forever.
The technical precision I honed in IT translated beautifully to photography. Understanding light, composition, and the mechanics of a camera came naturally. But what surprised me was the emotional connection. Every session became about the people in front of my lens, their stories, their relationships.
I began to see photography as more than a career—it was a way to serve others, to celebrate the beauty in their lives, to shine light on what matters most.
Why I Made the Decision
Staying in IT meant security and predictability. But it also meant watching my passion remain a side project indefinitely.
I realised I was spending my best hours on work that didn't fulfil me, reserving my creative energy for whatever time remained. Life's too short for that compromise.
The deciding factor? Seven months of prayer with my family and an undeniable passion for photography. We prayed together about this decision, seeking clarity and wisdom. The answer became clear: photography wasn't just about pursuing what I love—it gives me the flexibility to be present for the people who matter most. I can attend school events, be there when I'm needed, and shape my schedule around family life. No career achievement is worth missing the moments that matter at home.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." — Proverbs 3:5-6
This verse anchored me when logic said stay put. The numbers didn't always make sense, but the calling was clear.
What I'm Building
The name itself reflects this foundation. "Lumens"—the measure of light. "Grace"—the unmerited favour that defines how I approach this work. Every opportunity to serve clients, every moment I'm trusted with precious memories, is grace.
I focus on families, couples, and friends—people celebrating connections that matter. There's something profoundly meaningful about documenting love, laughter, and the quiet moments between. It's a privilege to witness and preserve these moments.
My IT background shaped how I work. I've built redundancies into every part of my workflow: backup systems, organised culling processes, careful editing protocols. When clients trust me with their precious moments, I treat that responsibility with the same rigour I once applied to critical systems.
The Reality Check
This transition hasn't been easy. Leaving steady income required financial planning and courage. Building a client base takes time and persistence. Some days, doubt weighs heavy.
But faith anchors me where I'm meant to be. Every session brings confirmation. When I deliver photos and clients see their memories preserved, I see this work matters. None of this is my own doing:
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." — Ephesians 2:8-9
That same grace gives me strength for the hard days:
"I can do all this through him who gives me strength." — Philippians 4:13
For Anyone Considering a Similar Leap
I spent seven months praying with my family before making this decision. I shot on weekends while keeping my IT job. I built financial reserves and tested whether clients would actually pay for my work.
These practices weren't a formula—they were how I moved forward with clarity:
Pray about it. Seek wisdom beyond your own understanding. Take time to listen. Our seven months of prayer as a family brought clarity I couldn't have found alone.
Prepare thoroughly. Use your current skills as a foundation. My technical background gave me systems thinking that makes me a better photographer and business owner.
Build gradually. I started shooting on weekends while still employed, testing whether this passion could sustain itself professionally.
Trust the process. You know yourself better than anyone's advice can capture. If the pull is strong enough, if the calling is clear, find a way.
Accept uncertainty with faith. Security is valuable, but so is fulfilment. Sometimes the risk is worth taking when you know you're walking in purpose.
Moving Forward
Lumens and Grace Photography is my commitment to combining technical excellence with genuine human connection. Every session, every photo, every satisfied client validates this decision.
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." — 1 Peter 4:10
My technical skills, my creative eye, my love for people—these gifts were meant to be used fully, not kept as a side project. This transition honours what I've been given.
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." — Matthew 5:14-16
This verse defines why I photograph. To illuminate and celebrate the beauty in people's lives. Photography isn't just my profession—it's my calling. The name "Lumens and Grace" carries this truth forward in every photo I take.
Leaving IT engineering was scary. Becoming a full-time photographer? It's the best decision I've ever made.
If you're considering a leap of your own, I hope my story gives you courage. Life's too precious to spend it on the wrong path.
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I'm Adrian Chiu, a portrait photographer based in Scotland, specialising in families, couples, and friendships. Through Lumens and Grace Photography, I capture the connections and everyday moments that you'll treasure for years to come. Follow my journey on Instagram @lumens.and.grace to see the stories I'm capturing and the families I'm serving across Edinburgh and beyond.
If my story resonates with you and you're looking for a photographer in Edinburgh or the surrounding areas of Scotland, I'd love to work with you. You can explore my packages or get in touch to start planning your session.
