South American Adventures + Thoughts on Chile’s Earthquake

admin — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:58:49 +0000

My 25th birthday was exactly 2 weeks ago (on Valentine’s Day — I’m a love child) and as a gift to myself I have decided to do something that I never expected to willingly do. I’m about to spend 40 days backpacking through 4 countries and 10 cities in South America. I have spent the last two weeks frantically planning this adventure as it is entirely last minute. Much to the amusement of my friends (when they find out — haven’t gotten word to them yet), I even bought a pink backpack instead of a pair of heels I’ve been sweating for. Clearly I’m a changed person. Thank you, Brasil.

Which brings me to a much more somber point. In two weeks I am scheduled to arrive in Santiago, Chile. With the severe earthquake that hit yesterday, I am in a mixed state of emotions: slightly frightened at the prospect that I could have arrived two weeks earlier, thankful that I was not. I am also gratified that in a stroke of luck I happened to plan a trip there and can help however possible once I arrive. Lastly, and this one is hard to admit because it makes me feel dirty, but in conflict with being thankful that I was not in the path of destruction, there is a part of me that wishes I had been able to flex my photo-journalistic muscles and photograph the damage. That someone has to do it, so why couldn’t I have been there? But I have to assume that these thoughts are natural to most, if not all photographers. It’s no secret that natural disasters make powerful photographic moments.

But I digress and leave you with a much happier image from my birthday that happened to fall during Caranval in Rio. Pink hair was obviously necessary.

Jardim Botânico is Wonderland

admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:39:36 +0000

Like several locations within the city of Rio, wandering around these lovely gardens makes you forget that you are in fact in a huge city. Unlike the Brooklyn Botanical Garden the upkeep of the place is incredible, and unlike the Keukenhof Gardens in Holland all I had to do was walk for about a half hour down the street in Zona Sul to fall down this rabbit hole. In all fairness New York is the concrete jungle and the gardens in Holland are set outside of Amsterdam for a reason, so of course they can’t compete with this city that is a true jungle.

At any rate, the full set of photos can be viewed here on flickr.

The Beauty of Espirito Santo

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:53:55 +0000

The first two weeks of February were spent visiting my dear friend, Lorena, in her hometown of Vila Velha in the state of Espirito Santo, a charming little beach city on the other side of the bridge from Vitória. These first photos are from Setiba — a beach about a half hour away.

These next ones are of the Convento da Penha that overlooks the city. Built with slave blood, there wasn’t much history given about its origins other than what you can deduce from a few paintings hung in the main hallway. At any rate, if you ignore the history it is quite a lovely structure.

View of Vila Velha and the Atlantic from the top:

And the gringa:

We also took a day trip to visit some waterfalls in the countryside. The drive proved to be as mesmerizing as the destination. Brasil is truly a magnificently beautiful country, although I have learned that I am slightly terrified of heights. Driving along dirt roads on the edge of cliffs overlooking coffee bean and banana tree fields is as scary as it is beautiful. Fortunately, brasileiros know how to navigate these roads the same way I know how to drive through two feet of snow during a whiteout.

Pão de Açúcar and Why I Hate Tourists

admin — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 18:16:41 +0000

I have issues with tourist attractions. I hate the Disney World-like lines. I hate the fashion-challenged crowds decked out in mid-calf socks and running sneakers, Hawaiian-print shirts, and cameras hanging around their necks waiting their turn to get the generic “look-at-me-I-have-proof-I-was-here-at-this-place-so-far-away” photo only to speed off to the next destination to do the same thing. Children screaming. Bottles of water that cost 5 bucks. Noise and confusion.

Fortunately tourist attractions draw crowds for a reason — there’s usually something pretty damn cool to see. Meaning there are times when I suck it up, brave the terribly dressed crowds, and hang my camera around my neck. I present to you Pão de Açúcar (or “Sugarloaf” for all you English speaking people out there).

The Best Camera is the One That’s With You

admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:40:35 +0000

As is the tagline for Chase Jarvis’s Best Camera app, my iPhone has become my point-and-shoot camera while spending the NY winter Carioca style (read: sun, sand, and saltwater instead of snow). All photos have been edited on the iPhone using the Best Camera, Mill Colour, and Photoshop for iPhone apps.

Ilha Grande is My Lover

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:13:55 +0000

After a day of rest on January 1st, 6 French, 2 Brazilians, 1 Belgian, and 1 American set off to an island that has made it’s way into my top 3 places on the planet (interchangeable with Isola Elba and Le Cinque Terre, both located in the lovely country of Italy). I’m not going to get into the kind of confusion that was caused by so many different languages traveling together (there was a lot), but instead just let you know that if you ever truly wanted to relax and remember what life is all about, then this is a very beautiful place to do so.

When I left Rio for the island, I had about a year’s worth of tension and stress built up in my shoulders. My creative energies were at an all time low and inspiration was nowhere to be found. It didn’t help that my friends who planned the trip made it clear we were going to be spending the week living in tents. Yes, I am from the country, but having experienced far too many uncomfortable camping trips sleeping on roots, attempting to keep stuff dry in the rain, and having your campsite invaded by bears is enough to be put off of it permanently (at least in my case – I’m sure some of you live for that kind of shit). But alas, I was determined to go see this island that I had heard so much about.

The first night we pulled into Palmas which I immediately dubbed Hippy Beach because of the many tanned kids getting their hair put into dreadlocks while chilling on the beach. My nickname proved well for other reasons I won’t get into.

The following day was spent on a private boat exploring some seriously cool waters and beaches before leaving us at Abraão for the remainder of the week. I was exhausted, sunburned, and waterlogged by the time we reached the Holandes International Hostel. It must have been extremely obvious because the girl at check-in not only offered me water, but beer or caipirihnas if alcohol would be of more help. She proved to be one awesome chick and that hostel will definitely see my face again.

As my dear friend and travel buddy, Thabata, says, “When in hell, hug the devil.” And that we did. This may not seem like much to most of you, but I slept in a tent for a whole week and didn’t complain. I learned that I don’t need to wear eyeliner on a daily basis. That the best life you can live is when you live in your bikini. And most importantly, I got back that joie de vivre that had gotten lost in the stress of the last year.

As always, full set of photos can be viewed on flickr.

Once You Go Copacabana, You Never Go Back

admin — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:28:44 +0000

I’ve always had this theory that New Year’s Eve should be spent on the beach. This year I have proved my theory correct and elaborated on it: New Year’s Eve should be spent on the beach in Rio.

And also, the first day of the year should always see a sunrise such as this:

The Fancy Farm

admin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:59:02 +0000

On Christmas day I left Rio to spend a couple of days on my dear friend’s father’s farm a couple hours outside of the city. Now you have to understand that I’m originally from Northern NY where commercial farms abound and there are more cows than people. I didn’t really understand farms such as this existed — not for profit, just to live off the land. I thought it was a rural myth. But alas, here it is. Cows and all. The full set of images can be viewed on flickr.

Rio Love

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:35:31 +0000

If I haven’t talked your ear off about it for the past six months, you are a fortunate soul. I am currently in Brazil for an indefinite period of time. The initial reason my ticket was booked was for my dear friends’ wedding. After being laid off from my art director position at Honey Magazine, I was presented with a window of opportunity that doesn’t come along all that often to leave Brooklyn for a little while longer than anticipated. Instead of freezing in New York this winter, I’ll be working on my tan, photographing the favelas, and handing out my lovely new business cards. (Side hustle: download my resume here if interested.)

Anyway, the wedding was in Corcovado at the Cristo Redentor. Super touristy and crowded, but the view was worth the overpriced tram ride that happened to break on the way up and make us late to the ceremony. The chapel was tiny and full of family and friends, and afterward there were tourists everywhere which made for a difficult photo situation, but the bride and groom looked so happy it kind of cancels out the clutter. The rest of the set can be viewed on flickr.

Top: Ana and Mikael getting married in the chapel at Cristo Redentor

Bottom: hills of Brazil

Top and Bottom: the bride and groom

Top: the couple with their parents – Ana is from Rio, but Mikael’s family traveled all the way from France.

Middle: more hills in Rio; Cristo Redentor

Bottom: the newlyweds

Top: the families pose for photos; Ana and her father

Middle: Rio de Janeiro

Bottom: Ana and Mikael; Ana and Mikael’s sister, Joanna

Top: the couple give a toast

Middle: mother of the bride toasts; champagne glasses; the bride with the groom’s mother

Bottom: Copacabana beach; another of Ana

Matt and Munawar’s Baby Shower

admin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:13:49 +0000

Last weekend I was asked to photograph a baby shower. Mind you, I don’t recall if I had ever been to a baby shower prior to this. I vaguely remember attending one for a babysitter when I was maybe 5 years old. It’s clearly been awhile.

At any rate, although I am not a baby person, I couldn’t help my heart turning to mush when all the tiny clothing and accessories came out of the packages. Matt and Munawar’s friends are very thoughtful and bought them the sweetest things to prepare for their plus 1.

On another note, their gut renovated Chelsea apartment was a treat in itself. Matt is a fabulous architect and their home proved that well. Simply stunning.

Top row from left: vino for the non-pregnant attendees; delicious snacks; the apartment is ready for the guests to arrive

Second row: the father-to-be, Matt; mother-to-be, Munawar

Third row: Games! Guess which baby food; pin the diaper on the baby; beans for boys, pistachios for girls

Bottom: view of the hallway; guess the size of her belly (37.75 inches)

Top: David had more fun with the gifts than anyone

Middle: the esteemed guests: Melissa, Kelly (one of the hosts), Myriel, Heidi, David

Bottom: Munawar checks out the tiny hand knit mittens; Munawar’s mother, Farhat checks out the Tickle Monster gloves (who knew?? so great); Valerie

Top: Heidi and Scott made an origami mobile for the parents-to-be (please note how you can’t tell she’s pregnant when looking straight on — it’s incredible!)

Second row: Munawar and her mother, Farhat

Third: Fran; Munawar unwrapping gifts; Scott shows off his handiwork; digging into the presents; Anne

Bottom: “Don’t Have Ugly Children” chewing gum; Matt finds a spot to hang the mobile

The rest of this set can be seen on my flickr page.