Growing up, I was a straight-A student and a passionate athlete who leaned on soccer to carry me through life’s troubles. I was a girl with a deep desire to be by the sea, living in a house surrounded by trees and a family that liked to stay home—where my only escape was a soccer ball and the quiet of the backyard forest.

Just as I was beginning to map out my path toward my dream of becoming an orca biologist, life took a turn. A final concussion ended not only my ability to play soccer, but also slowed my thoughts, my memory, and the way I processed the world. My identity crumbled, my dreams slipped through my fingers, and I spent the next ten years climbing out of the abyss of post-concussion syndrome. Ten years to rebuild. Ten years to rediscover myself.

Even now, memory and focus are daily battles. I’ve had to work harder than most to stay on track toward the life I want. But instead of being consumed by where I thought I “should” be, I learned to adapt. When I picked up my first camera, everything finally clicked. Instead of becoming an orca biologist, I poured myself into orca photography and volunteer work—finding new ways to connect with the ocean and its stories.

Now, I’m preparing to set foot in Antarctica with a team of the most intelligent, driven, and inspiring women I’ve ever met. Perhaps if life hadn’t led me down that treacherous road, I wouldn’t be standing where I am today. So if you’re going through something similar, I want you to know this: there is light at the end of the tunnel, you just have to keep chasing it.

This poem was born in two halves—the first written while I was lost in the depths of depression, and the second as I slowly began to find my way back into the light.

“Twirling in a circle;

emotions swirling into a whirlpool.

All different colors of a foggy rainbow;

star gazing out of a dirty window. 

Brittle memories skip like broken records.

Heavy metal screams during this game of checkers. Pawns are played with malicious precision; nosey eyes stare with judgmental inquisition.

Tidal waves push her farther and farther from her mission;

“Crazy Girl” criticizes her every thought and decision. 

Always 10 steps forward,

then 100 steps back. 

No matter how hard she fights

darkness slips through the cracks.

Koo-Koo clock strikes midnight 

its KOOs bellow through her brain.

The echo gets louder and louder until it drives her insane.

Icepicks through her temple she can’t stand the pain;

outbursts so regretful that her core fills with shame. 

Thunder is roaring,

a storm’s closing in.

Down the rain comes pouring,

to wash out all her turmoil within.

Electricity’s blazing lightning ignites the sky;

energy is sparking trillions of electrons way up high.      

Twirling in the puddles she let out a deep cry,

as thoughts became molecules vigorously colliding inside. 

A bolt jolts her to pieces and in fragments she must lay, 

until all the stormy weather and disarray runs astray. 

But peering through the darkness the suns rays begin to gleam,

and suddenly the chaos isn’t as dreary as it seems.

With the warmth of the planets her form begins to take shape;

the roots stitch her back together as the breeze blows the worries from her plate.

The eagle’s melody lifts her spirit and fills her heart with cheer;

softly he whispers that she has nothing to fear. 

As he soars through the clouds,

he sees all that breathes below.

He tells the girl, “To live in this beautiful world,

there’s a few things that you need to know.

For you cannot fix the broken memories;

you cannot turn back the hands of time.

You can’t make those immortal scars turn into bad dreams;

you simply cannot press rewind. 

But what you can still choose to do,

is fall in love with who you are.

Fall in love with every memory,

and never let one spoil your heart. 

Remember who you are inside and thrive on all that’s good;

don’t forget the ones who love you most even if you feel they should.

Because even on the foggy days the rainbows colors stick out bright,

And even through that dirty window so do those stars at night.

So no matter what life throws at you,

take it as a blessing.

All life's trials and tributes,

should be retained as a great lesson. 

The circle may keep twirling;

emotions may never go in a straight line.

Your thoughts— they may keep whirling,

until the end of time.

But keep your chin held up real high,

because bad times they never last.

Focus on the suns rays instead,

and the storm it shall soon pass.”

  ~Jami Cantrell

Antarctica, I'm Coming for You: Progress Update ❄️

This week has been full of energy, purpose, and that feeling of yes—this is really happening.

I officially kicked off my expedition training with a new gym membership and my first swim session—over half a mile! It’s wild to think that just a year from now, I’ll be swimming in the icy waters of Antarctica. Starting next week, I’ll be building up to 3 miles a week, training my body for the polar plunge—because cold water is calling and I’m answering, one stroke at a time.

Speaking of plunges… tomorrow I begin my polar plunge practice! It’s not just about building tolerance—it’s about building trust in my body, resilience in my mind, and connection to the wild environments I’ll soon be immersed in.

Even more exciting: I’ve started planning my first big fundraiser—a silent auction on May 19, 2025! I’ve been so lucky to connect with a community of incredible humans who are helping bring this event to life. I can’t wait to gather with friends and supporters to share stories, dreams, and maybe a few Antarctic surprises.

As co-lead of the Arts Team for Sea Women Expeditions 2026, I’ve also been sketching out ideas for creative projects that will help translate our experience into something visual, emotional, and meaningful for others. I’ve been updating my website, reaching out to local schools and businesses, and writing grant proposals—each letter a little spark of hope for the support I’ll need to make this dream a reality.

There’s still a long road ahead, but I can feel the momentum building—and I’m so grateful to be on this path. Thank you to everyone cheering me on, sharing advice, or simply believing in the power of women exploring the wild edges of our world.

Let’s gooooooo.

— Jami

Growing up one of my favorite shows to watch was Animals Planet, well, and Free Willy of course lol. The breathtaking landscapes and wild creatures seemed like a distant, otherworldly realm—a place I could never touch. I worked tirelessly through high school, and eventually discovered my passion for biology. But by the time I was certain of my career path, it was too late. A series of concussions early in college set me back, and suddenly the world I had once understood felt foreign. Information I used to grasp easily slipped through my fingers, and I found myself adrift, unsure of how to chart my course. 

Well, I have recently applied for and been accepted to join the SeaWomen’s Expedition team  February 2026  on their journey to Antarctica to study the impacts on climate change and the rapidly declining sea ice that it is comprised of. The Western Antarctic Peninsula is a highly productive marine ecosystem that has experienced extended periods of change since the 1950s, in the form of 3°C warming, glacier retreat, reduction of sea-ice cover, warming of the surface ocean of 1°C warming, and shifts in marine populations, among others.

I wanted to be an orca biologist, but the academic path seemed impossible. So, instead of giving up, I immersed myself in volunteer work, hoping that one day I would find my way back to this dream, with my name already making a difference. It was during that time that I picked up my first camera—and everything clicked. In an instant, I knew what I was meant to do. I began to revisit those Animal Planet moments, replaying the scenes in my mind, and suddenly, the dream felt achievable again. Even if retaining information didn’t come as easily as before, I realized that through my camera, I could still make an impact. Still, doubt lingered and my imposter syndrome consistently told me I wasn’t good enough. I was told by those around me that my dreams were too far-fetched, that I should pursue something more practical given my situation. I felt like I was starting too late, like I had missed my chance. Honestly, some days, I still feel that way.

I pushed those thoughts to the side and started capturing the world through my lens, using my photography to raise awareness for the species I’m most passionate about. I realized that, for many, connection to nature comes from seeing it up close. I hoped to ignite that same awe in others and inspire them to protect this fragile planet we share.

Since then, my work has been shared by influential outlets like PETA, Skagit Fisheries, The News Tribune, Fox Weather, Fox13, King5, KOMO4, Grit City Magazine, The San Juan Journal, and more. I hold a degree in Visual Media and am currently working toward my biology degree, which I’ll finish once I return from this expedition.

For years, I watched the Sea Women’s Expedition Team, waiting for the day I could join them. So when the invitation to be part of their mission to Antarctica came, I could hardly believe it. I am filled with joy and pride that the little girl who once dreamed of exploring the world is now stepping into the unknown.

Though this expedition isn’t financially supported, the opportunities it will open up in both photography and biology are limitless. This is just the beginning, and I’m ready to dive into this new chapter with everything I’ve got—determined, passionate, and ready to make a lasting difference. Stay tuned to follow my journey.  If you want to donate to help me with funds, here is the link to my Go Fund Me account.  CHEERS TO THE FUTURE AND CHEERS TO ADVENTURE!

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-organizers-name-antarctic-expedition?attribution_id=sl:f1b53882-0d81-4193-9173-3fb6515c1700&lang=en_US&utm_campaign=man_ss_icons&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

Welcome to my first blog! My name is Jami Cantrell, and I am thrilled to embark on this visual journey with you. Photography, for me, is more than just a hobby or profession—it's a passion, a way of seeing the world in its most intricate details and fleeting moments.

In this inaugural post, I want to share with you the essence of why I picked up a camera in the first place and what drives me to capture the world around me.

Growing up, I was always fascinated by the power of images to evoke emotions, tell stories, and freeze time. Whether it was flipping through family photo albums or marveling at the work of renowned photographers in magazines, I found myself drawn to the magic of photography.

As I delved deeper into this art form, I realized that photography is not merely about snapping pictures but about creating connections—between the photographer and the subject, between the viewer and the image, between moments captured and memories cherished.

Through my lens, I strive to capture the beauty and complexity of everyday life—the laughter shared between friends, the quiet moments of solitude, the vibrant colors of nature, and the rich tapestry of cultures around the world. Each photograph is a testament to the wonders of the world and a celebration of the human experience.

But photography is not just about what you see—it's about how you see it. It's about perspective, composition, light, and shadow. It's about finding beauty in the mundane and uncovering stories in the ordinary.

In this blog, I aim to share not only my photographs but also the stories behind them—the adventures, the challenges, the moments of inspiration, and the lessons learned along the way. I hope to inspire fellow photography enthusiasts to explore their creativity, hone their skills, and find their own unique voice in the world of photography.

So, whether you're a seasoned photographer or someone who simply appreciates the art of visual storytelling, I invite you to join me on this journey. Let's embark on a visual exploration of the world, one photograph at a time.

Thank you for being here, and I look forward to sharing my passion for photography with you.

Stay tuned for more adventures behind the lens!