I’ve been pondering for a while now: where do I take this food blog, Tchakayiti, next…What about my food photography? See, we all start off with a purpose, but somewhere along the way, life throws us curveballs that make us pause and question it all. It’s like peeling an onion, each layer bringing up something I hadn’t fully admitted yet.
I started Tchakayiti right after college, a little over 10 years ago, because I was frustrated by the lack of good Haitian recipes online. Let’s not even talk about the photos. The few recipes that did exist weren’t exactly appealing.
For about seven years, Tchakayiti thrived. I enjoyed every second of it.
But then things shifted. Social media changed, requiring video content and all sorts of bells and whistles including windows into one’s private life. Other more daring Haitian culinary creators popped up. My photos got stolen. I saw chefs using my recipes and passing them off as their own. I sent emails about my work being used without permission only to be met with silence.
Meanwhile, life kept going. Haiti happened. Enough to drain anyone, enough to make you stop and wonder. So I did just that. I stopped.
But today, I realize how much I used to enjoy the back and forth with my followers, the little community that grew around my culinary anecdotes. I surprised myself as I saw my photography skills improve and discovered a passion for food photography.
So, what exactly happened?
Today, sitting here reflecting, it finally hit me: it wasn’t just “life.” It was the lack of recognition, the abuse of my art. And, if I’m honest, it’s also me. I am not one to sit in front of a camera, film myself, or record voiceovers. I’d rather let my pen and camera do the talking.
But in today’s world, that no longer seems to be enough.
Which leaves me with the big question…
Where does Tchakayiti go from here, if I can’t, and don’t want to, match the current energy on social media?
