New Me + New[york] City

When I was a kid I used to want to be a lot of things. But, I think at the crux of it all I wanted to have one foot in the realm of creativity. I was yearning for it, and didn’t feel like there was a way for me to achieve it. Better yet, I didn’t feel like I was creative.  If you ask any of my friends that endured those adolescent years with me, they will tell you not only of my trend to be a romantic, but also about my infatuation with different mediums of creativity. I tried being a writer, had short stint of thinking I could be an actor, and so much more. I think that’s why I gravitated to food so much. It was finally a medium that I excelled in.  It can transform perspective, it’s multi-faceted, and it literally takes people’s breathe away. More than that, there’s something in it for everyone. From the science of baking to the absurdity that modernism has brought to the contemporary food scene and everything in between. Food has been the be all end all for me over the last ten years or so. It’s been an amazing ride (and this isn’t my break up with food, btw if you were worried I was writing a breakup text). In turn, it’s about what food has led me to discover. Thank you, food. (I wish ‘food’ could talk to me, haha. I wonder what it’s personality would be like?)

Well, if you haven’t figured it out already, this post is not about food. This post is designated to voice excitement on a new medium. I’ve been dabbling in photography since moving to the bay (almost three years, now). However, up until about four or five months ago I wasn’t interested in the technical side of photography. I’ve grown to expand my knowledge and I can’t help but experience a similar feeling I’ve felt for cooking all of these years. Being a self-pioneer into a new creative space is so fun. It’s exhilarating.

I ventured to Manhattan last week for work, and while I was there I had some time to really flex my new skills. Not only did NYC offer me a new perspective, but a fresh landscape. In my week there I felt validation for my work, a true culmination that this newer form of creative expression was worthwhile, and that maybe I might be good at this, too!

The quality of my work has increased significantly. As I continue to learn about photography my eyes widen, my heart opens, and my love for capturing moments expands.

I thought I’d keep this post short and sweet and showcase my favorite pieces of work from my trip.

Also, on a side note, a few of these photos were taken by Ryan, but all the editing is my own. This is also the first time I’ve made an effort to capture more of an urban landscape. I usually photograph humans, so this is something pretty new. 🙂 Hope you enjoy.

Oculus.

The Village.

Stonewall.

Best park ever.

Oakland, CA.

I wonder how my perspective will shift in the next six to twelve months? Stay tuned.

Thanks for reading. I love all of you.