It's highly unlikely for anyone to get tired of visiting New York. She's got just about everything one could want - and probably available for delivery no less!
Read MoreBELLE AYITI
What did I know about Haiti before I decided to visit? Nothing, to be completely honest. I was of course aware of the unrest and chaos typically associated with the country and also remember reading a paragraph or so about the Haitian Revolution during World History in undergrad a few years back. But that's not saying much - I don't believe knowing the cliff notes and stereotypes of a place translates to any real knowledge of it. After meeting Vanessa, a Haitian American whose love for her home country would become contagious, my ignorance quickly turned into curiosity.
Read MoreEXPLORING NEW ORLEANS
In an age where instant gratification reigns supreme, I still believe in the beauty and art of waiting.
I don’t mean the stuck in traffic during rush hour or suffering through impossibly long lines at the DMV kind of waiting either. More like waiting to get your images sent back to you after weeks away getting processed or eagerly waiting to confirm whether your frames are any good kind of waiting. And that's not to imply that I'm a patient person either (quite the contrary - my road rage is a devilish beast that rears its ugly head more often than would make my mother proud). However, shooting film forces me to build a stronger muscle of patience and appreciate the beautiful feeling of satisfaction that can blossom from extended anticipation. A feeling I suppose is best likened to finally getting to open a sea of presents on Christmas morning.
Read MoreNAMIBIA PART TWO
Though adventuring through each surreal and wide-open landscape left a lasting impression on me, it was Thomas Mpande - my driver/friend/guide extraordinaire - who was the vessel that truly enriched the entire experience. Fluent in six languages (English, Portuguese, Afrikaans, Gangela, Rukwangali, and Oeambo), Thomas was incredibly sharp and had in-depth knowledge of all things Namibia. His great sense of humor also made him a fun travel companion,. especially as we navigated the best parts of Namibia together: its culture. When we first met, I expressed my genuine interest to expose myself to his version of Namibia, not just the one sold to visitors. Where does he shop? What does he eat? How/where does he spend his free time? I wanted to see it all. I was also very intrigued by both the Himba and Herero tribes and had high hopes to gain more insight into their history, culture, and lifestyle. Since I had a very limited amount of time (realistically, there's only so much one can do/see/experience in ten days), Thomas encouraged me to focus on delving deeper into the neighborhoods within Windhoek as opposed to other regions we explored; where I would end up getting much more than I could have hoped for.
Read MoreNAMIBIA PART ONE
While on a business trip a few years ago, my Mom had the opportunity to visit Namibia whose surreal landscapes left her awestruck. I listened intently, mesmerized as she shared about her experience driving through the Skeleton Coast, detailing what it felt like to witness the meeting point where the staggering sand dunes of the Namib Desert juxtaposed against the piercing blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It was a description that struck a major chord within me. After securing a killer deal on a flight late last year, my opportunity to visit finally came. Elated, I spent several hours combing through every blog, forum, and article online hoping to absorb as much information on the country as I could. Thanks to my research I found that, like all African countries, Namibia is extremely diverse – boasting a rich cultural history and a plethora of contrasting landscapes made up of deeply colored deserts and sand dunes, vast plains, massive salt pans, boulder-like hills and pristine beaches. Not to mention its friendly people, astounding night skies, and expansive wildlife.
Read More