Oreo

 Taking time off, to sit back and do whatever you wish, has its own sweetness. Today I re-discovered my love and addiction for photography when, in the midst of work and chaos, all I could think was "I-want-to-take-photographs-I-want-to-take-photographs-I-want..." It's like one of those diets where you stop eating chocolate for a week, promise yourself you wouldn't even touch it, and after a week of dieting is over you eat more chocolate than you would in two months. As the season is between fall and winter, it's dreary and colorless out, all the world bland and grey, so traditionally my camera's victim became Oreo :) He decided he wanted some play time also and started chasing my necklace chain. I'm thinking of printing some of these photographs for my Mother's album, she'd love them :) How are your winters going (or summer, depending on where you are!)?

And some candid outtakes:

Forest Larks

We Are Only Young Once

 

A series of photographs from Italy I finally brought myself to edit :)

*Disclaimer: I have only edited the last photograph in the middle row

Vintage Holiday

Pumpkin pie, happy chatter, and christmas lights strung on the windows. The wonderful feeling of the holidays has come once again :)

Learning to Fly

I sat down, fresh and ready, to write this blog entry--knowing exactly what I'm feeling but not knowing how to channel emotions into words. I stared at the white screen, cursor blinking with no words trailing behind, for minutes at end, and then I realized that there's no one way to put this into words--it's just not that easy. Things don't always come in black and white, and they aren't sketched into stone. Sometimes things get foggy, and the haze is your only solid reliance--which isn't very solid at all. You get torn between the ups and downs, scared and angry when everything goes wrong, unsure and worried when it doesn't. 

At first, I thought I was alone--everyone seemed happy, content in their own perfect lives. But then I started looking around. The truth is, in this rollercoaster of ups and downs we call "life", everyone is rocked back and forth, torn and put back together. I learned that making your dreams come true can sometimes only seem like a wistful thought and the means to fulfill them can be hard and rocky path--endless hard work, and what seems to be no achievement at first. As a photographer, it's been a long and hard journey to get where I stand today. Yes, I will always want and expect more, but I can look back and tell myself I have come a far, far way from when I started photography all that long ago. I can fall asleep with a smile plastered across my face, knowing that I am doing the best I possibly can and I am working hard for what I have and what I want.

 Not everyone has the courage to carve their dreams and spend years chasing it, but those who do know that it is worth in the end.--those sleepless nights and stiff backs, sodden pillow cases and tired eyes are never a waste. I know in the morning I can look into the mirror and tell myself that, even though it may take years for my dream to become more than a wistful thought, I am spending every moment to its fullest and getting one step closer to turning my wishes into reality. I learned that it's okay to admit your weaknesses and step outside your boundaries because in the end, it only makes you stronger. Every time you fall, you must dust off the dirt and keep on going. It's part of what makes you who you are, and it's something you'll be able to look back upon and say, "If I can get through that, then I can get through this". Mistakes and failure, trying and trying again, falling and falling once more--it's all a part of building your dreams and making them come true. It's all a part of learning to fly. 

Vanilla and Honey

Summer as it takes its last breath midst Autumn's colors. They danced and played in the wind, talked with the leaves, and smiled at the sky.

Sun-Kissed Sunday

On a sun-kissed Sunday evening, my girlfriend and I roamed a long the crowded streets of a town filled with live music, pumpkin decorating contests, and chattering families and friends. The air smelled of funnel cake and coffee beans carried by a light wind as we strolled down the boutique and restaurant-lined sidewalks. We wandered in and out of the shops that smelled of incense, enjoyed fruity frozen yogurt, and added to the street buzz with our cameras strung around our necks. Sometimes all it takes to let go is a day with someone special doing something you love, because I know at that moment on that sun-kissed Sunday, I wouldn't have traded that evening with anything else in the world.

And one more photograph because of my new black and white fascination:

Love, From Paris

As the night folded over Paris like a blanket, a whole new world shifted into focus. "The City of Lights" was full of life and love. Although I did not get a chance to photograph Paris as the sky dimmed and the lights that Paris is famous for clicked on, one by one, I will forever more remember the wonderful people and sights I met along the way.

Head in the Clouds

Full with noise and grain, yes, but I love them nonetheless--it gives a film camera feel to it. One of the most exciting things about a plane (besides the movies, of course) is the beautiful view that you get to see right before landing and right after takeoff. While most passengers shut their window and prefer to read, I spend most of the ride with my nose squished against the cool glass, enjoying the wonderful scenery. These are pictures of mountain ranges that appeared below my window, and disappeared as fast as they came. I only got a chance to grab my phone in a hurry and snap these two shots (psst, what looks like white foam at the base of the mountains in the second picture are actually clouds). I will ever more remember this wonderful trip.

The City of Masks

Flames

Let's Lay Here...And Forget the World

 As part of today's society, it's expected of us to mold into the stereotypical image of the 21st century. We know the ins and outs of fashions, get emailed Facebook and Twitter notifications straight to our Blackberry or iPhone, are always updated on the newest Apple products. We are always running. Running to get somewhere, running to do something, running to get ahead. When the sun is too bright, we turn our heads. When it's raining out, we open an umbrella. When the wind is strong, we shut the windows. The birds fill the air with their melodies, yet we plug our ears with headphones. The sunset has painted the sky in its colorful shades, yet we're inside watching a movie. Why do we constantly have to be engaged, entertained, or on the run? Sleep, work, eat, sleep, work, eat, sleep, and then work some more. Our alarm clocks are programmed for 5 in the morning and the coffee machine is already brewing. The radio is blaring and the car engine is already revved. Our world revolves around being on the move, but do we always have to fit the 21st century stereotype? Instead of hitting the TALK button on your cellphone during lunch break, step outside and drink in the sunshine, even if it is just for a moment. Instead of cranking up the radio, roll down the windows and listen to the wind whoosh past you. While everyone is running breathless, stop and notice the birds on the telephone line. Go against the crowd; it's okay to stand out. Let the rain drizzle on your eyelids, let the sun warm your skin, let the wind weave through your hair. Admit your weakness and take a break; we're not made to run 24/7. Next time, instead of drawing the blinds, enjoy the the sunset whilst lying on the cool grass and finding shapes in the clouds. Step outside your comfort zone; trying new things, experimenting, opening up new possibilities.

Starlit Skies and Firewood

After two days of reminiscence, I returned home packed full of sweet memories with the aroma of firewood and seawater lingering in the air. My jeans hid sand in its creases and hadn’t yet dried from the water of the beautiful beaches. We spent the day on a long walk refreshing dusty memories and skipping rocks across the smooth waters and swam under the sunset sky. We made smores under the starlit sky, creamy chocolate and milk spreading me with warmth. Our night was completed with homemade pizza, a movie, card games, and ice-cream. The next morning was spent chatting and canoeing on a tippy boat..it was time to leave too soon. I can still smell the firewood and leafy smell of the country side on my clothes, and sometimes I wish I was still midst the beautiful wilderness when I close my eyes. 

A short film I made of peaceful summer.

Roses and Vines

Summer Waters

We sidled along the beach shore, our toes sinking in the warm sand and weaving through the cool water, slowly and melodically lapping at our feet. The day was filled with ocean water, fresh air, music, and enjoyable food. It’s been around a year since my last beach visit, and revisiting my favorite beach I’ve known from childhood was absolutely refreshing. As the setting sun dipped beneath the horizon, we began to head home, leaving me wishing for another visit to this beautiful place. It was an absolutely invigorating day leaving me with nostalgia and a longing for an endless summer. 

The Girl Under the Trees

I thought a collection of photographs from my old blog would be a good way to start out :)