My Travels

A Portrait of the Galapagos Islands

Ecuador | Thursday, October 7, 2010 | flickr photos

“Adrenaline rushes through your veins and your eyes are locked on an exclusive, once in a lifetime shot. You observe every detail carefully, inhaling the majestic beauty that stands in front of your eyes. You raise your camera to your eye very slowly, being sure not to disturb the scene ahead. One wrong move will stir fear in your subject and you will lose the opportunity for a perfect shot. Silence … and the foreign sound of the shutter closing pierces the air of the rainforest. You lower your camera to view the image on a digital screen, and your muscles can finally relax. You have captured the glorious scene in front of you in a 4x6 frame exactly how you envisioned it.” – Journal entry, July 3, 2009
A profound love for nature has always existed in the core of my being. Ever since I picked up a camera I knew that I was born for nature photography. In 2009 I traveled to the Galapagos Islands to study biodiversity and photography. Humans are not allowed to touch any wildlife, but interactions occur in many other ways. We are not used to animals welcoming our presence, we are used to animals running away the second they spot us. However, the animals there do not see humans as a threat. This photographic series captures a few of the delightful interactions I had with animals of the Galapagos. Through sharing my photographs and experiences with family and peers, I have been able to teach others about the importance of preserving Nature. I hope to make a career in photojournalism and share my experiences with others to pass on appreciation for our planet. Traveling with World Nomads would be an honor and it would contribute to the development of my career greatly.