Through the Lens: How Endometriosis Shaped My Photography Journey

Introduction

Hi, I’m Destynee Fagaragan—a 24-year-old tech professional by day and the creator of Studio Dessy by every other hour I can find. Based on the island of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i, I spend my weekends photographing everything from lifestyle portraits to small events, including maternity and family sessions. It may feel like I never truly get a day off, but capturing meaningful memories for others gives me so much joy.

This post is one of the most vulnerable things I’ve shared in my photography journey. It’s my first time opening up about my health—something I’ve kept mostly private until now. I hope this story is received with compassion and that it spreads awareness about a condition that affects so many, often in silence. Whether you’re living with a chronic illness, navigating uncertainty, or just trying to find your purpose, I hope you find a part of yourself in my story. And while I’m sharing my personal experience with endometriosis, I want to acknowledge that every body is different—what I’ve gone through may look very different from someone else’s journey, and that’s okay. Every story is valid.

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Opening Up About Endometriosis

Growing up, I always assumed that having extremely painful periods was normal. The first few days of my cycle were brutal—I couldn’t move, couldn’t focus, and all I wanted was to stay in bed. Over time, I learned to manage around it, planning my life around when I’d be out of commission.

For those unfamiliar, endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. It causes inflammation, pain, fatigue, and in many cases, infertility.

By January 2024, I was told I had a 4cm cyst on my right ovary. My doctor suspected PCOS due to the appearance of my other ovary. Then, in April 2024, everything changed. I went to the ER with intense abdominal pain. What was supposed to be a simple surgery turned into a 3-4 hour procedure with complications. I woke up to find that my uterus had torn during surgery, and I now had a large scar similar to a C-section. That’s when I heard the word “Endometriosis” for the first time.

The doctor gently explained that my condition would make getting pregnant extremely difficult. I had tears running down my face. Becoming a mom has always been one of my biggest dreams. It felt like that dream was being taken away. In the weeks that followed, even the smallest things would hit hard—seeing a family at the park, scrolling past a TikTok of a mom holding her baby, or watching a couple celebrate a gender reveal or take a positive pregnancy test. I would cry in frustration, heartache, and fear that I might never get to experience those moments myself.

I spent six months recovering and trying to return to my normal life. I was placed on new hormonal treatments to manage symptoms, but the pain returned in late 2024. By January 2025, another cyst had formed—this time, twice the size. My options: risk another surgery, wait and monitor, or have a full hysterectomy. I chose to wait.

Then in April 2025, a year after my emergency surgery, I began experiencing on-and-off fevers. After multiple doctor visits, I learned my cyst was infected. I was referred to a women’s oncologist, and we decided on Lupron treatment—a medication that puts my body into temporary menopause in hopes of shrinking the cyst and giving me a better chance at future IVF.

Balancing all of this while building a business has been incredibly hard. After surgery, I lost all motivation. I stopped shooting from April to November 2024. When I picked it back up, I was still in pain after every session. But I kept going because photography lights up something inside me that nothing else can.

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Finding Photography in the Midst of It All

Studio Dessy became my outlet. It helped me focus on something other than the pain, the bills, or the fear about my future. I could pour myself into creating. Maternity and family shoots became especially meaningful. I know firsthand how precious these moments are. For some of us, these moments may never come—and that’s what drives me to capture them so thoughtfully.

Having my own business has also allowed me to work with my body, not against it. I can schedule shoots around my pain, and I can choose when to rest. That flexibility has made all the difference.

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Why Maternity Photography Means So Much to Me

I’ve always dreamed of becoming a mother. One of my biggest fears was that I wouldn’t be able to conceive. So when I get to photograph pregnancy, it hits differently. The female body is powerful—capable of growth, of resilience, of bringing life into the world.

Even though I haven’t experienced pregnancy myself, photographing expecting mothers brings me peace. I see their strength, their beauty, their vulnerability. They celebrate their stretch marks and their bumps because they’re carrying someone they already love. Being able to document that feels like a privilege—a way for me to be close to something I long for, while still finding healing.

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Lessons I’ve Learned

Endometriosis has taught me resilience. It’s forced me to be patient with my body, to listen more closely, and to practice self-compassion. I’ve learned that just because pain isn’t visible doesn’t mean it isn’t real.

To anyone navigating chronic illness: you’re not alone. You’re allowed to rest, to say no, to show up in ways that work for you. And you can still create beautiful things while doing it.

Most of the time, my clients don’t see what’s going on behind the scenes. But I show up with love, creativity, and purpose—even if I’m quietly holding pain in my body.

I also want to acknowledge that while endometriosis is still under-researched and there are differing opinions on treatments or paths to healing, no one should ever be judged for the choices they make for their own body. What works for one person may not work for another—and that’s okay. Every journey is different, and every body deserves to be met with respect and understanding.

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Final Thoughts

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Writing it was hard, but also incredibly freeing. If nothing else, I hope it encourages you to speak more openly—about your health, your dreams, your fears.

If you’ve related to any part of this story, I’d love to hear from you. You can connect with me through my contact page or drop a message on Instagram. And if you’re looking to book a maternity or portrait session, I’d be honored to create something meaningful with you.

Here’s to hope—for healing, for purpose, and for the beauty that still finds its way in.

With love,
Destynee Fagaragan
Creator of Studio Dessy

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Learn more about Endometriosis

https://www.endofound.org

Endometriosis Outreach