Freddy's Photos (5/52)

I grew up on a sailboat. My earliest memories were either on the boat, leaving a trail of peanut shells in the water, or jumping all over the boat mattresses in the winter when they were stored in my basement. Some of my best vacation days have been on boats. A fortuitous 24 hours journey from Malaysia to Thailand amongst friends over Christmas. A 3-day unforgettable adventure in the Whitsunday's (Australia) experiencing the Great Barrier Reef first hand. I have this sense of calm and exhilaration when I'm on boats now. It's actually the exact same feeling that I have the moment just before I hit the shutter button to a photo I know is going to be good. The circumstances are always different (as have been my sailboat journeys), but the feeling is the same. It's that split second moment of knowing something special is happening. It's those feelings of accomplishment that drive me to keep taking photos.

Freddy's Photos (4/52)

My clock radio goes off tuned to a popular station every morning. My iPhone is constantly playing the latest song I downloaded while I commute to work. Most evenings, I'm in a dance studio grooving to inspirational tunes.  I remember those days when Motown was being played throughout my childhood house, and singing along loudly as soon as I could work out the words.   Now, as an adult, there is nothing more inspirational than seeing live music. There is something about the collective enjoyment of talented people on stage that just makes me so happy. I guess in some ways, everyone wants to be a rock star. And my singing along from my seat is my way of living out this dream.   It's why I go to as many live shows as I can. The camera is always with me. What's better than being a rock star? Being a part of the rock star's entourage. Maybe I'll never be on stage entertaining people, but I could possibly one day be documenting them.

Freddy's Photos (3/52)

Sometimes it only takes a moment to stop and be thankful for what I have. I had one of those moments today, as I was celebrating Mother's Day with my mom. I have no idea what the conversation was, I'm not even sure what I was thinking about, but for one moment we didn't say anything and I was thankful for being a part of an amazing family. Both my parents were individually, strong people. They both had their own way of teaching me life lessons, and it's on days like this that I thank (both) them for what I have now. It's not specific lessons that I learn now, it's moments. And laughing with my mom over her inability to relax in a pedicure chair was today's. So thanks mom, for sharing all these moments!

Freddy's Photos (2/52)

I have had a few interesting philosophical conversations over the past few days with some very intelligent people. However the theme of searching and the need for balance in life (and in people) seems to be the crux of all these conversations.  I have thought a lot about what makes a fantastic photo, and balance seems to be the crux of that as well.  It's not just the physical aspects of it, but the emotion that comes from the moment before and after the photo is taken. Some of my best photos have come from those balanced moments and I have learned to know when those moments occur.  It's also why I take photos every day. You never know when those moments will occur, or when they will occur again. But the good news is, I know they will keep occurring.