I believe that photography is the easiest way to cheat at drawing and painting! You just have to notice it, and capture it with a simple click of a button. In that, I feel that I was a photographer long before I ever got my camera. I started drawing and playing music at a very early age. But, I've always felt as if my eyes were like the camera lenses. Having a grandpa for a pro photographer may h
ave inspired that sense. Ever since I was little, I had watched him carrying his heavy Zenith in a worn out leather case around his neck everywhere he went, and capturing amazing candid moments, which otherwise would have been lost forever. But, I didn't realize I had that same creative outlet until much later. I wanted to be a filmmaker at first...and just like my grandpa, I used to carry my analog Sony camcorder around my neck everywhere. I filmed everything that inspired me, and collected hours and hours of footage for future editing. It wasn't until after college, when I got my first compact digital camera that I started to see what a huge immediate impact photography had on the audience, and that it had come natural to me. Of course, I had continued to explore my passion for making films. After my grandpa was gone in 2008, I started working on my first documentary "In Heaven and In Our Hearts", which was partially shown on RTN in 2010. That film was supposed to explore the right way to pay respects to someone who's gone. The film made me feel better, but it was never finished. I couldn't find the perfect way to end it. Regardless, I thought I did my best in keeping my grandpa's memory alive by just making it. Few years later, as I was trying to break into graphic design, I was given an opportunity to take some photos for a children art exhibit...and the rest was history! I've been blessed ever since to call myself a professional photographer, working for a great non-profit organization YANY which supports and promotes the arts in the public schools - a cause that's near and dear to my heart. I feel lucky to be able to photograph children's performances, their photo and art exhibits, dance recitals, and choir rehearsals. I candidly capture their amazing happy smiles and triumphant moments of creativity, that only another artist can understand. I'm blessed to not just be able to do what I love, but to do it for a great cause! I hardly ever pose my subjects, as I am really interested in capturing the beauty of life's most real moments, which otherwise would be lost forever. Now, just like my grandpa, I carry my heavy Canon on a worn out leather strap around my neck. Every time I do, I feel as if he's still here, and I realize that I have found the perfect ending for my doc. Although it's an end for the film, in real life it's a happy beginning. I have finally found my true creative calling, and in addition, I get to keep my grandpa alive by continuing to do what he loved. My personal motto whenever I take photos, is that you have to look at your subjects not with your eyes, but with your heart. Only then, you can really capture the unique essence of their soul. Thank you so much for reading and please contact me with any questions.
