Well, here is my second blog on photography, and I’m really excited! There have been a lot of influences that have directed me into this obsessive passion. I’ve always been an artistic person- it was my outlet. I used to draw like no other, my stepsister taught me how to draw cartoons, and later on I moved into trying to draw realistically. I can’t really draw humans because they are too detailed, but I loved drawing what I saw, especially if I was outdoors. I liked to draw my dogs and trees.

Later on, I thought maybe I could be a designer. I was one of those kids who planned out their future before their first day of kindergarten. Anyways, I started watching HGTV with my mom and loved the interior designers on the channel. I began designing what my room could look like, but I really liked to design kitchens. I still haven’t figured out why I liked to design kitchens so much, but it might have to do with family. When it comes to my family at least, we all crowd in the kitchen (nothing like being smashed against someone when you’re reaching for a glass in the cabinet). Memories in the kitchen are always priceless.

When my family went to California in 2007 for my aunts wedding, photography was introduced to me. One night at a bonfire on the beach, I took Brian’s camera and went down to the shore. I was feeling very somber, very deep. I began taking pictures of strangers playing in the water and other people walking by. I took pictures of the sunset and the waves when they engulfed into my feet. Something happened to me that day, something that I can’t really describe. I just fell in love with taking pictures of people. Strange since I didn’t know whom they were. But I wanted a story out of them, out of the moment. So I just snapped, snapped, snapped, and voila! A story of a family on the beach was created.

I didn’t think anything about it; I just was having my artistic moment. But when my family came back home, I kept on taking pictures. It became apparent that I liked photography and that’s where my interests had turned.

I learned right away that you couldn’t be scared of getting your shot. When you get close to someone, who cares what they think? For one, if someone’s a stranger you’re not going to see him or her again. And also, if there is a moment, an opportunity to capture something that matters to you, then take it. You’ll be glad that you did.

I still love taking pictures of people and sharing a story. I like either taking shots of people who are just living and doing whatever, or actually directing the shot. There’s nothing better than a little power! I have also taken pictures of beautiful scenery, but it’s just not the same. People are just so much more alive.