Author: Lianne de Laffressange
Interview data: April, 2025
Publishing date: October 2, 2025
It’s May 2025 — exactly one year and one month since Noa Kroon joined me for her first Find your next step session. She’s now in a much better place, with a renewed sense of confidence. Soon, she’ll be heading to Ibiza for a photography assignment at a retreat, capturing personal branding portraits for participants of a holistic coach training.
Over the past year, Noa has worked through limiting beliefs and stepped fully into her role as a photographer — which ultimately led her to her dream assignment: photographing women on a retreat in Ibiza.
In this interview, you’ll discover how Noa let go of her old life which drained her, and aligned with a life that gave her energy and fulfillment.
“Looking back, that job had been a way to run away, a way to avoid feeling.”
Lianne
It’s been exactly a year and a month since our first session. What’s happened in that time?
Noa
So much has happened — it’s honestly crazy. I quit my job, started a new one. My relationship ended, I started a new one and moved in together. There was this turning point that made me ask: what do I want to let go of, and what do I want to welcome in? I’m still in that process, but I’ve taken so many steps already.
During our sessions, we talked a lot about my dreams — the things that truly make me happy inside. Deep down I already knew I wanted something different, but there wasn’t space for me to feel that yet. It wasn’t until I started letting things go that space began to open up. The sessions were a beautiful addition to that process.
Lianne
What kind of work were you doing back then? And what was your situation like that made you feel out of place?
Noa
Because of my job at a coffee shop, I ended up on sick leave. In the beginning, it gave me a lot of energy. I loved socializing, leading a team, and expressing my creativity through latte art. But when people got sick or didn’t show up, I took on everything. I thought this was the way to create this warm, supportive team, but in reality, I kept putting everyone else first.
Little by little, I lost myself. I started with four working days, but eventually, I was there seven days a week. I developed health issues — my eyesight got worse, my rheumatoid arthritis flared up. And at some point, I realized: I can’t do this anymore. The joy I once felt was gone. Out of a team of twenty people, only two showed up for me. I felt that deeply.
When I decided to quit, I thought that would heal me. But actually, I fell into a black hole afterward. Looking back, that job had been a way to run away, a way to avoid feeling.
Not long after, it was time for me to let go of my relationship. At some point we realized: we don’t belong to eachother. We decided we could no longer give each other what we longed for.
“It’s just so much easier to let yourself get consumed. It’s kind of an excuse not to face yourself and admit that you might be stuck.”,
By making unconscious choices, I let myself get completely consumed by work and the relationships around me. I lost touch with where I was in my life at that moment, and where I wanted to go. The space that opened up when I started letting go turned out to be an in-between phase: I finally had room to pause, to feel, and to think about what I truly wanted. The visualizations really helped with that. Whenever I thought about what I deeply desired, I felt this flutter in my stomach — and that was my sign to start consciously choosing what I truly wanted. And honestly, that’s pretty hard for someone who’s always been swept up in everything.
“Not just: point the lense, click, and goodbye. But truly seeing someone and empowering her through the photo I capture for her.”
Lianne
You’re describing a year of major transition — from someone who put others first, to someone who started standing up for herself. And all this happened alongside your passion for photography. It’s like being on both sides of the lens: capturing the perfect image for others, while simultaneously rediscovering yourself. Is that right?
Noa
Yes, photography was always in the back of my mind. I knew it made me happy, so I kept doing it and kept visualizing it. At some point, people started approaching me with photography opportunities. That gave me so much energy. I realized: this is what I want to do more of. Traveling and photographing at the same time. And now, I’m going there for the second time, this year.
“My dream had always been to see more of the world while photographing. A year ago, I would’ve never dared to imagine that dream coming true”,
Lianne
Can you tell me a bit more about the retreats and why they resonate so deeply with you?
Noa
They bring depth to my work. I photograph women during a women’s circle retreat. Over the course of a week, you really get to know each other — so much more deeply than during a regular shoot.
That’s exactly what we talked about during the sessions: I want to create meaningful connections with the women in front of my camera.
Not just: point the lense, click, and goodbye. But truly seeing someone and empowering her through the photo I capture for her.
I had some assignments, and I earned some money. But they didn’t bring me joy. When I was offered this shoot, I had found something that brought me joy and also rewarded me financially.
“I had learned to carry myself through all of life’s storms.”
Lianne
It really does sound like your dream assignment. What did you have to let go of to fully receive it?
Noa
My job, my relationship and certain friendships. And the belief that I wasn’t capable of doing it. I had learned to carry myself through all of life’s storms. I had been through so much… A trip to Ibiza and turning that into my job, that was something I should be able to do. That summer, I let go of so much and that’s how I slowly started to rebuilt trust in myself.
Lianne
You’ve mentioned that visualization stuck with you. How does it support you in your daily life?
Noa
Visualizing is a way for me to subconsciously change my limiting beliefs. I’ve been a dreamer since I was a child. But now, I know it’s time for more action. When I visualize, I let go of all the external noise — the beliefs, the reality that sometimes feels a bit strange to me. I just dream: if anything were possible, what would I want? And that brings me to a very comforting place where I can create freely.
Lianne
I still remember your visualization clearly — about the tree with birds flying in and out. At first, it was just a dream to fly. And now, that dream has become your reality.
Noa
Yes, that visualization was about “coming home.” I feel like that tree again now: grounded, stable. And the little birds represent me and my dreams that are now allowed to take flight.
Lianne
Would you recommend visualization and the sessions to others?
Noa
Yes! From the very first moment, I felt heard and safe with you. And that’s a really good foundation to work with. You have a way of gently guiding things back to the core, even when I drift off. You have a very creative way of working, and that approach allowed me to explore what truly felt right for me.
Lianne
Wow, thank you for sharing. I’m truly honored. And now? Off to Ibiza.
Noa
Yes! I get to photograph the graduation ceremony of a holistic coach training. Every morning at sunrise and every evening at sunset, I have a shoot planned. I can’t wait.
Noa’s story shows the power of slowing down and creating space for your dreams. By releasing what no longer served her, she found her way back to herself. And in doing so, she is now living a life filled with creativity and adventure.
Her journey is a reminder to all of us that our biggest dreams can become reality. As long as if we’re not afraid to dive deep and take that honest look within…
There’s no other interview I’ve written with such care and love as this one. My gratitude for Noa Kroon is endless. Noa, you are my dear friend and an infinite source of inspiration.
Thank you for choosing yourself more and more each day, and for showing me what’s possible when you keep believing in yourself.
This one’s for you…