Urban Wanderlust - The Beginning to Everything
I always tell people to let their passions guide them. Most of the time, we don't know what we're doing, or what life will bring us. And honestly, that's very normal. It's okay. The very least you can do for yourself, is to make sure you are happy. What exactly is happiness anyway? I think that answer is tailored to each individual - and that's beautiful.
My form of happiness, is when a camera is in my hand. Whether it be my DSLR, or my iPhone, having something I can document moments with, is all I need.
The Fall of 2015 marked a significant point in my life. I picked up the interest of portrait photography, but developed my own twist to it. That twist being street art.
I was raised in Newark, NJ where most brick walls were covered with either tags, art, or a mix of both. I always felt that it gave our city character, that it told our community's story. Unless it was vandalism ... then of course, that is not okay.
When I asked my friends to pose for me as practice, I always found myself asking them to pose in front of street art. At first it wasn't on purpose, it was a background that naturally appealed to me. But with time, I realized this pattern in my work, and decided to keep that pattern consistent. Thus, "Urban Wanderlust Photography" was born.
The main purpose of this post, is to share my first work with you. The images below are my favorite shots between September and December of 2015.
Model: Kim Location: Newark, NJ
My shoot with Kim, was my very first shoot with a person. Before her, I was only interested in landscape photography. I remember feeling a rush of excitement when working with her, and from then on, I knew that I had to continue to do this. Building my portfolio became a priority. Practicing photography gave me a sense of peace and happiness. I forgot all of my problems and focused solely on what I was doing - that's bliss.
Model: Haesoo Location: Newark, NJ
This photo is one of my ultimate favorites. I love all of the pinks and purples and how tiny Haesoo looks in comparison to her background. This was the first shoot in which I started to experiment with angles. I wasn't very sure as to what I was doing, but I was trying.
At this point, you can tell I was oobssessed with color, and raising that saturation (without affecting skin color). This is one reason why I was so attracted to street art to begin with - the colors! At this point, I also grew a fondness for bricks. There's something about their texture that intrigues me. You'll also notice that in photos taken of me, I love to have a brick wall in the background (not a coincidence!).
Model: Vanessa Location: Newark, NJ
Vanessa was the first person I worked with, that had experience with modeling. She taught me all about angles and how to pose a client. This was definitely a shoot that I not only had fun with, but learned a lot from. Learning means you're growing, and growth is very important no matter what craft you're pursuing! Always be open to constructive criticism. Do not close your mind to comments or opinions others give you, if you know they're trying to help you. You'll be surprised with what you might learn.
Model: Gisselle Location: New York, NY
This was one of my first shoots in New York City. I had grown very comfortable with Newark, especially since it is my home town, but it was time to try a bigger city. Gisselle and I walked around Lower Manhattan the entire day, looking for cool spots - and then we came across this wall. I truly loved this piece (by Ayakamay), and Gisselle did as well. This shoot was also the first time, in which many people were constantly walking past us. I thought I'd be shy and freeze up, but I actually didn't care. I was too "into the moment" to care whether or not I looked silly getting that killer shot.
I by no means am a professional. At ALL. But, I am quite proud of my early work. And it's very important to be proud of yourself, especially when you notice you're improving. You will never get ahead, or make progress if you don't try. And this goes for anyone in any field!
If you have a hobby that brings you genuine joy and inner peace, never stop doing it. Always make time for it, because feeding your soul happiness is extremely important for your own being. It will keep you grounded when you're facing life's turmoils. It will keep you sane when you feel as though you can't handle your current reality. Keep in mind, you are in charge of your life. As cliche as it sounds, you are the writer to your story. What will your tale be?
Please remember that you are important. Your dreams are important. Your passions are important. Do not ever give up, for times will get rough. But this does not mean that the storm will go on forever - unless you wish for it to be that way. Life is always a balance of ups and downs, but learn to turn your negatives into positives. Understand that there are never failures, only opportunities for improvement!
I am very excited to continue to share my work with you and to share my growth with you. Please keep an eye out for future posts, as I continue to expand my portfolio, and experiment with other areas of photography!
If you've made it this far into this post, thank you so much. I deeply appreciate your attention and time.
Before I let you go, I will leave you with this quote:
"The only impossible journey is the one you never begin." - Tony Robbins
With Love,
Nini