birthday travels
Five days, six flights, two ferries and one long layover. If I can, I like to celebrate my birthday overseas and this year's 25th was no exception.
I spent time in Estonia, Finland and Denmark. Enjoy these city snaps from Tallinn, Helsinki and Copenhagen
I spent time in Estonia, Finland and Denmark. Enjoy these city snaps from Tallinn, Helsinki and Copenhagen
New Zealand - the South Island
New Zealand - the North Island
summer in Canada
from where I once stood
the wedding of the year
Here are a handful of photos I snuck at the wedding of my childhood friend, Natalie. It was the most beautiful day
"I do"
I had the opportunity to shadow Laynie whilst she photographed a wedding some weeks back.
These photos really benefitted from her creative leading, but I enjoyed the challenge of taking photos quickly and hunting for moments. Such fun!
These photos really benefitted from her creative leading, but I enjoyed the challenge of taking photos quickly and hunting for moments. Such fun!
Washington break week
Did you know, I've only been to the states Florida and Hawaii? Until now...
I spent the last week in Washington, surrounded by mountains and in 40ºC heat, hosted by Hannah's family
I spent the last week in Washington, surrounded by mountains and in 40ºC heat, hosted by Hannah's family
Hawaiian adventures
teamy photo shoot
Here are some family photos that Jon and Layne, our beloved school leaders, took for us. People pay for their skills and their time and we adore that we get to call them our Track parents, and do fun shoots like this.
You can check out their much-sought work here: www.jonoandlaynie.com
You can check out their much-sought work here: www.jonoandlaynie.com
Waipio Valley // our waterfall hike
This is my favourite place in the world (so far). To find this fall, here's what you do:
enter the hidden trail, wade through the river, hop across the boulders, amble through the bamboo forest, continue through the mud slants and be delivered slightly bruised to a secluded, breezy and majestic waterfall
enter the hidden trail, wade through the river, hop across the boulders, amble through the bamboo forest, continue through the mud slants and be delivered slightly bruised to a secluded, breezy and majestic waterfall
Hawaiian beauty
I love the window seat
mi familia
Big Island road trip adventures
Our journey anticlockwise around the Big Island of Hawaii via the Southernmost tip of the US, a volcano (as you do) and Hilo side
back in Bolivia
Hawaii week one
Curaçao
Some photos from my recent break on a wee Dutch Caribbean island
the one year count - 365 days, 36 beds
A few months into travelling I decided to take a photo of every bed I sleep in on Track, here's a handful and a taste of where we've been staying.
Hover for the where's...
Hover for the where's...
living with the Ache tribe
The Ache tribe are one of Paraguay's remaining indigenous groups, numbering around 2000 in total.
We had the privilege of living with an Ache community.
We had the privilege of living with an Ache community.
The Tools of Male Slavery
I had the honour of creating and contributing a piece of art for an anti-slavery exhibition held in Kenya this May, below are my photographs for the gallery. Arts to End Slavery (a2es.org) is an initiative of HAART (haartkenya.org) that unifies the work of thirty artists who create pieces which communicate messages showing the different facets of human trafficking.
My creation was based on the trafficking of males. It is a series of nine photographs, each showing the different tools of slavery that a male trafficking victim is exploited for. Human trafficking occurs both internally within Kenya as well as across borders to other countries. Trafficking is not exclusive to certain ages or generations.
Below, tiled, is how my piece will be presented...
My creation was based on the trafficking of males. It is a series of nine photographs, each showing the different tools of slavery that a male trafficking victim is exploited for. Human trafficking occurs both internally within Kenya as well as across borders to other countries. Trafficking is not exclusive to certain ages or generations.
Below, tiled, is how my piece will be presented...
Driver – Sex Work – Mining – Organ Transplant – Farming – Begging – Construction – Coffee Farming - Fishing
a wee dose of Kenya
Here are some pictures that I took simply because I like taking photos
Safari
This year, for my twenty-fourth birthday present, I went with a fellow HAART intern to Kenya's Maasai Mara on a weekend safari. As well as learning that I don't know the names of all the animals, there were so many moments that I found incredibly memorable. One of my favourite parts was driving for two hours from a game drive back to our tent, standing leaning out of the roof and listening to music chosen to suit the epic scenery.
The Circle of Life was one of the selection.
The Circle of Life was one of the selection.
Maasai
The Maasai tribe of East Africa live in Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania. On a recent (beautiful, memorable) trip to the Maasai Mara, I had the opportunity of meeting some Maasai people and enjoyed learning of their rich culture. These photos are from a short visit to a Maasai village, home to 200 people all with the same grandfather; all from the same clan. From decade to decade they relocate slightly due to the deteriorating structure of their mud houses.
One tradition that particularly fascinated me was one that awaits 15 year old Maasai boys. They are circumcised and sent out into the wild (in groups of 15-20) where they will live for anything from 3-5 years. In this time, each group must collectively kill one lion, bringing back its mane to the community. In some of the photos below you can see Sasini wearing the lion's mane as a hat. We were told that the men will carry their own spears and at strategic times will wear bells on their ankles (a noise usually associated with herds of cows) to attract a lion.
One tradition that particularly fascinated me was one that awaits 15 year old Maasai boys. They are circumcised and sent out into the wild (in groups of 15-20) where they will live for anything from 3-5 years. In this time, each group must collectively kill one lion, bringing back its mane to the community. In some of the photos below you can see Sasini wearing the lion's mane as a hat. We were told that the men will carry their own spears and at strategic times will wear bells on their ankles (a noise usually associated with herds of cows) to attract a lion.
no faces
As part of my work for HAART (haartkenya.org) I took some photos of a class for rescued trafficked victims as they learned about entrepreneurship.
I got to practise creative photography that hides people's identity and quite enjoyed the challenge
I got to practise creative photography that hides people's identity and quite enjoyed the challenge
Imazamo Yethu/Mandela Park Township
I have been fascinated by the overcrowded communities that we've come across on our travels. Here in Cape Town I had the privilege of visiting a Township in Hout Bay. I want to let my photos do the talking and most of all to give a feel of life in Imazamo Yethu, or 'Our Village' in English.
I'll give as much context to each photo that I can, so hover over and have a read of the captions. Click too to see the photos enlarged. Enjoy!
I'll give as much context to each photo that I can, so hover over and have a read of the captions. Click too to see the photos enlarged. Enjoy!
Cape Town in all its glory
Muizenberg, Cape Point, Table Mountain and Boulders Beach
Quotes from Nelson Mandela's book,
Long Walk to Freedom
home sweet home
Here are some of the photos I've taken throughout my two weeks of being home in England. Mostly, they're clustered between photographing the morning of my sister-in-law's wedding and adoring my nephew, Micah
GREECE
Athens, Ancient Corinth and Aegina Island
JORDAN
Amman, Petra, Jerash and the Dead Sea
ISRAEL
Jerusalem, Palestine, Tiberias, Capernaum and Caesarea
Here are some of my favourite snaps from one of my favourite weeks of Track: Israel
Here are some of my favourite snaps from one of my favourite weeks of Track: Israel
walkin' in a winter wonderland
hereicallhome
If you're anything like me, a recurrent and sizey dose of perspective is regularly needed; my default is to get caught up in my own version of life. I began to take photos of the different homes that we've seen on our travels purely because for me it serves a great reminder that many live in ways so far from my norm. In case this dose is helpful for you too, here are some of the homes that we've been introduced to.
Hover over the images to discover more.
Hover over the images to discover more.
framed
Quite partial to a good window or door.
out of focus?
I think there is something so beautiful about a photo that is barely in focus. Sometimes all you need is just a glimpse.
REUNITED
Here are stills from the video footage I took alongside my team. We documented the airport reunion of an East African refugee
who met his family after six years of being apart.
who met his family after six years of being apart.
autumn according to Brantford
Canada, we are BACK
We've been back for a few days now and happily readjusting to the life we built here before summer. I love having a backpack full of stories from our recent adventure but it most certainly is good to be home... We rather tactfully arrived back in time for Canadian thanksgiving and a turkey feast. Most of all, it's special to see people again.
adventures in Vietnam
This past school break brought me and some friends to Vietnam for a holiday structured around one plan: beach. I felt liberated to have no agenda for my camera but to take photos simply because I wanted to take them. One day, I want a wall full of photos, frames and artwork...
Buddhism
sneak preview
It was such a privilege to see a small slum in Phnom Penh, although I resent how touristy that sounds. Our brief two visits to this slum were enhanced by having our friend introduce us to some families as well as tell us about the history of this slum. Here are a few photos from a story I've written about life in this slum. To be continued...
our first week in Phnom Penh, in pictures
Mae La Refugee Camp, Thailand
when we biked to Burma
Humans of Mae Sot
Here are a few of the beautiful faces of those who let me take their portrait in Mae Sot, Thailand
Ohana/sweet sweet advice
One of the best pieces of advice I've been given for this school is to invest in loving my team. It sounds simple, doesn't it? Eventually our travels together will end with us calling audiences to recognise a certain injustice, and ultimately with a call to respond in love. We've been challenged that we can't call the masses to respond in love if we can't even figure out how to love each other throughout the next few years. That thought really challenges me.
Sometimes I think of my team as a motley crew, and sometimes we both love and endure each other. But there is something so beautiful about committing to doing life alongside someone for a while. Committing to not quitting, to creating memories with them and to wanting to learn about them constantly.
So I'd like to introduce you to one of my favourite teammates: Cat. I really am a fan. Cat was born in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and spent nearly half of her life with her family there. I love the PNG-ness about her. She is often found living life barefoot and is quick to choose adventure. If there's an exotic insect threatening our existence (well, sanity) she's the one to call on. She draws from an abundance of stories and wisdom that she gained from growing in the mission field and in community. There is such a steadfastness about Cat. She holds the ability to be unshaken by life's fluctuations as she reasons, decides and often jumps on opportunities to do the jobs no one wants to do. I've watched her serve us constantly for months and am beginning to suspect that she genuinely feels joy and feels alive when she sees others being blessed. I can't imagine the team without her.
Sometimes I think of my team as a motley crew, and sometimes we both love and endure each other. But there is something so beautiful about committing to doing life alongside someone for a while. Committing to not quitting, to creating memories with them and to wanting to learn about them constantly.
So I'd like to introduce you to one of my favourite teammates: Cat. I really am a fan. Cat was born in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and spent nearly half of her life with her family there. I love the PNG-ness about her. She is often found living life barefoot and is quick to choose adventure. If there's an exotic insect threatening our existence (well, sanity) she's the one to call on. She draws from an abundance of stories and wisdom that she gained from growing in the mission field and in community. There is such a steadfastness about Cat. She holds the ability to be unshaken by life's fluctuations as she reasons, decides and often jumps on opportunities to do the jobs no one wants to do. I've watched her serve us constantly for months and am beginning to suspect that she genuinely feels joy and feels alive when she sees others being blessed. I can't imagine the team without her.
I'd like to introduce you to one of my favourite teammates: Eric. I really am a fan. I love to see Eric laugh. We saw a Bollywood film back in Kolkata and I had just as much fun watching Eric laugh than I did watching the film. He holds high expectations for God and has a natural understanding that he can strive for excellence when he works for God. This flows out into his photography as he learns how to master the kit he's got to create really strong, striking images. I've begun to notice how much Eric genuinely loves spending time with God. He'll create room for it and let little snatch away the times he sets aside to pray. He can often be found initiating conversations with strangers and asking our team questions about the countries we're from. Our Track quote-book is dominated by quotes of Eric. I can't imagine the team without him.
I'd like to introduce you to one of my favourite teammates: Idun. I really am a fan. Idun is a treat. She holds a wealth of experience that she doesn't boast about, so rather you learn sparkly parts of her in odd conversations where I notice her humility in not bringing up such a fact sooner. She is one of the most gentle and unassuming communicators I know, and she also has been chosen to lead my team as we travel in January-March 2015. I have every faith in her as a leader. I think of Idun as the peacekeeper of the team. She's the traveller of the group and the one to ask your geography questions to. I love her taste in music and her love for quoting Friends. She's a super gifted photographer already with her own style and understanding of the photos that she likes. I can't imagine the team without her.
Chiang Mai
some of my favs
I mean it, every inch of Kolkata is photogenic. I’ve been truly spoilt with photo opportunities and with gracious people willing to let me fumble around my camera as I take their portrait. Whilst I still have heaps of photos I take on a regular basis that are only worthy of deleting, I'm learning how to, amidst those, capture some pretty special snaps. Here are a few from the last month that I'm proud of...
home sweet home
Kali-kata
The Hindu goddess understood to rule over Kolkata is called Kali, the goddess of death and destruction. I heard that Kolkata was in fact named after here, Kali-kata. She can be identified by her pointing red tongue, her painted black face, her hand clutching a man’s detached head and her feet standing upon dead bodies. Despite this being Kolkata’s religious reputation, I beg to differ. The Kolkata that I see is so full of life. It’s one of the busiest cities in the world and houses joy, interaction, family, community, laughter and hospitality. I long to see a Kolkata perceived for it’s vibrance and life, not for its death and poverty. I’m not even a week in and it’s already been such a privilege to take photos here!
Adventures in BC
I flew into British Columbia wedged between two business men, ukulele at my feet, and invaded one’s personal space as I constantly gazed past him and out of the window (I refrained from taking a selfie). From the plane I got a stamp-sized preview of BC’s luscious mountains, rolls of trees and patches of lakes. With the most enthusiastic tour-guide by my side, Shinae, I enjoyed both being a tourist and going to the local gems. Here are some snaps of beaut BC!
Party Party Party
As June rushed by our last week in Brantford arrived in no time at all. It was a week full of fun, food, friends, farewells and final to-do's. Brantford, you've been a babe, see you in autumn!
Graffiti
For the past three months I've been volunteering for a local Pregnancy & Resource Centre, working on creating resources to be used in High School sex-education lessons. One particular off-shoot of this project has been my favourite: looking at what local people are communicating through graffiti. This form of art and expression is an instant way to get into the artist's mind without necessarily meeting them at all. Up there with advertising, graffiti is also capable of influencing many thoughts as its messages are subconsciously absorbed. Here are some of my favourite finds...
adventures and stuff
Our friends are nice and our friends have cars. Because of that we've been able to explore Toronto and Niagara, both charming places in their own ways. In the past few weeks me and my teammate biked the neighbouring city, Paris, I over-exhausted the joke that I wore my bikini to Niagara Falls and we enjoyed being tourists and eating hotdogs on the streets of Toronto.
Quote UnQuote
This week our lectures had a break from photography as a guest speaker came to teach us on leadership and character development. We’ve be reading two small books, one called A Tale of Three Kings, and the other, Humility. I’d really recommend them both, to those who desire humility and to those who don’t. The small yet feisty books have proved to be mirrors into which I see a rather ugly reflection. I began to see the many disguises my prideful motives take, and I hope the discussions my class had will stay mulling in my mind for a while.
Below are some of my favourite quotes from our talks and from the book Humility, by Andrew Murray.
Below are some of my favourite quotes from our talks and from the book Humility, by Andrew Murray.
'Cahoot' - to partner or conspire
This weekend we tripped together to the Cahoots festival, embracing cabin life and conspiring for good. The gathering was all about learning of social injustices as well as history and theology. The nature was beaut, the weather was beaut and our weekend was beaut. We canoed, went to the beach, explored, camp-fired, stargazed and chilled on a jetty with a ukulele in hand - oh these are a few of my favourite things!
Spring, I'm happy to see you!
Team Love
Our leader Layne captured this family moment. Enjoy stalking her and her husband's overflowingly creative blog here: http://jonoandlaynie.wordpress.com/
Here laying on us is Sharon who'll lead my team in our time in Asia. Cat and Idun, they're huggers.
Here laying on us is Sharon who'll lead my team in our time in Asia. Cat and Idun, they're huggers.
Night Life
On of our assignments last week was to hand in two photos taken at night, one a portrait and one scenic. My tripod became my best friend!
best school EVER
Yesterday for class we sat in on a photo shoot led by our school leaders, Jon and Layne. I enjoyed seeing the logistics of it all and seeing other photographers at work, how they envision and how they guide. We were allowed some time at the end with the models and our cameras, I'm going to explain it as being dauntingly rewarding!
this Track has been FUN
Tell Your Story
This week our assignment was to hand in 5-10 photos which aid telling our testimony. Collectively they had to help tell the story of how we each came to know and love God in our lives. I'll leave you guessing as to what each of my pictures represent...
Film SLRs
Living in a digital age, photography looks a whole lot different than it did in the days of film. Whilst using digital has so many benefits (which demand my loyalty), the discipline required when using film is an art that gets left behind and forgotten. Our assignment has been to take 36 photos on our reel of film communicating 'Street Life.' With the inability to see the snap you've just taken, every photo feels all the more precious!
Here are some of my favs from my reel...
First week, baby
Here are some fresh snaps from the Track's first few days...
Blessings whilst being home...
Despite being born in England, I've never felt like I particularly belonged here. Twenty-one years down the line and this meant I wasn't overly optimistic about the prospect of being home for more than a year whilst earning and saving towards the Track. Happily wrong, this time at home has been brimming with blessings, surprises and not just things to busy myself with but things, I now see, that God brought me back to do.