Photography is more than a career—it's a passion that begins deep in the soul and weaves its way into every aspect of life. For me, the love affair with photography started at age 16. From the moment I first picked up a camera, I was captivated by its ability to freeze time, to turn fleeting moments into something permanent and meaningful. Over the years, this passion has grown into an obsession with patterns, framing, textures, and lighting, shaping not only the way I see the world but also the way I capture it.
I've learned that photography is never just about snapping a photo; it’s about storytelling, about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. My background as a communications and photography major in college added critical layers to the way I view and create imagery. Here, I honed my technical skills, deepened my conceptual understanding, and explored the power of visual language. Looking through the lens became second nature—a way to connect ideas, details, and emotions to something tangible.
Today, as a professional photographer, I find myself continuously drawn to the nuanced beauty of patterns, the narratives of textures, and the ethereal quality of good lighting. These elements guide my artistic vision, allowing me to distill the chaos of visual clutter into imagery that speaks. And every so often, I stumble across a place or a moment so striking that it reminds me why I fell in love with photography in the first place. One such moment came during my trip to Park Güell in Barcelona, Spain.
A Catalonian Canvas
As a professional photographer based in Florida, my daily work revolves around capturing the vibrancy of life through a diverse array of assignments. Most of my time is spent photographing events—weddings bursting with emotion, high-energy corporate functions, cutting-edge product launches, and tantalizing cuisine photography for local chefs and restaurants. These experiences shape my skills and keep me grounded in the technical and human aspects of my craft. Yet, it’s photographing scenic locations like this one in Barcelona that truly fuels my ambition to create beautiful, lasting images and continuously reignites my original love for photography.
Barcelona—a city brimming with vibrant culture, architectural wonders, and sunlit streets—was a feast for the senses. Every turn seemed to reveal something magical, from the swirling mosaics of Antoni Gaudí to the electric sense of life permeating through every corner cafe. But it was at Park Güell, one of Gaudí’s masterpieces, where I experienced the true magic of a place converging with my photographic vision.
Walking into Park Güell felt like stepping into another world, one shaped not by nature but by human imagination mimicking its beauty. The park's pathway winded through tunnels, arches, and promenades, intricately constructed from weathered rock. The textures caught my attention immediately—jagged, uneven, and yet perfectly ordered. I could have spent hours examining how the sunlight played across those surfaces, casting shadows that exaggerated the patterns and teased forth hidden details.
The scene that stopped me in my tracks was along a scenic walkway bordered by undulating walls of stone. The interplay of geometry and texture was mesmerizing. The repeated arches created a natural frame for the walkway, inviting me to peer through varying vantage points. Each angle offered fresh perspectives, much like the process of photography itself.
What struck me most, however, was the lighting. Late afternoon sunlight filtered through cracks in the stone structures, creating a mosaic of light and shadow that danced on the uneven surfaces. This wasn’t just light; it was texture in itself, a luminous fabric overlaying the scene. I reached for my Fujifilm X100—a camera that has become one of my favorites because of its compact size and the remarkable quality of its image sensor. Its portability allows me to capture moments spontaneously without sacrificing the professional image quality I demand from my gear. I raised the X100 instinctively, knowing the perfect shot was waiting to emerge, eager to translate the feeling of that place into a lasting image.
The Photographer’s Eye
Capturing a place like Park Güell requires more than technical skill—it demands an artistic mindset and an intuitive eye. When I photograph, I don’t simply see objects and shapes; I see opportunities. Every pattern, every shadow, and every glint of light is a choice waiting to be made—framed, emphasized, or even eliminated to tell a more compelling visual story.
At Park Güell, I was especially conscious of the moment's fleeting nature. The sunlight wouldn’t remain in the same position for long, and its shifting intensity had the power to change just about everything. I adjusted my aperture to balance the light, fine-tuned my focus for clarity, and took the shot. But one shot is never enough; true photography comes in layers, versions, and evolutions. I tinkered with new angles, capturing more of the archway one moment, then focusing on the minute details of the rock texture the next. With every click of the camera, I found something new to explore.
I’ve always believed that photography is equal parts science and art. While it requires a command of camera settings and exposure techniques, it’s ultimately your eye and gut that guide you. Knowing how to compose an image—how to use framing to lead the viewer's eye or texture to create depth—is something that comes from experience and passion.
Patterns, Framing, and the Language of Texture
My love for photography stems from moments like these. I’ve realized that the heart of my artistic vision lies in patterns. Patterns are everywhere, from the veining of a leaf to the repetitive lines of modern architecture. They bring order to the chaos of the natural world, creating visual rhythm and harmony. Framing, on the other hand, is about setting boundaries, telling the viewer where to look and how to interpret the scene.
Texture is what breathes life into an image. It’s that tactile quality that makes you want to reach out and feel the surface you're looking at. Whether it's the roughness of a rock wall or the softness of a dappled sky, texture connects the viewer to the image in a visceral way. And then there’s light—arguably the most important element of all. Light transforms, elevates, and defines every photograph it touches, creating mood, tone, and drama.
A Never-Ending Journey
Every photographer’s journey is a long and winding path illuminated by the very thing they aim to capture in their work. For me, this path began as a teenager with a borrowed camera and rolls of film. It took me through years of experimenting, learning, and refining during my college years, and it continues to this day every time I pick up my camera.
The moments I experienced at Park Güell were a reminder of why I do this. Photography isn’t just about documenting; it’s about feeling, observing, and interpreting the world around you. It’s about how sunlight falling on a rock wall can make your heart race, or how a pattern etched in stone can stay with you long after you leave. It is an art that teaches us to look closer, to notice the details that others overlook, and to find beauty in places that might seem insignificant to others.
Photography is the bridge between reality and imagination, and I feel privileged to walk that bridge daily. My hope, every time I take a photo, is to create something that resonates with the viewer, something that speaks to them as deeply as it speaks to me. And on days when my work feels challenging, I think of moments like Park Güell, where the world aligned so perfectly with my vision, and I am reminded that this love—this obsession—will always light me up.
Location: Carrer d'Olot, 5, 08024 Barcelona Spain.
