For my passion project, as we were advised to consider our options, I wanted to do something that I had in mind but previously had not had the time to devote to; something creative that combined my artistic passions and a subject that felt both personal, yet (hopefully) with the potential to be universally compelling. Photography is my primary artistic medium of choice, and something I highly value as a creative outlet and communication tool, and while the process of shooting and the experiences it opens up for me are the elements that I value most, I do not always devote as much time as I’d like to the equally important editing process to be able to share my work with others. This winter, I returned home to Hawaii to spend time with my family for the holidays and quarantine for an extended period, and this project was a welcomed opportunity to revisit the photos I took over that three month stay.
I posted some of these in a photo journal on my portfolio website.
I posted some of these in a photo journal on my portfolio website.
Thinking through what I wanted to show and talk about, I felt like the part of the experience that made it different from any other time was being there during the pandemic. In general, quarantining has provided the opportunity for many of us to slow down, reflect, and take notice of things that we may be too busy to notice in normal times. It has also forced us to seek out different ways to spend our time, which in my case usually means getting outside and enjoying nature, exploring places closer to home that I have long wanted to but never had the time for, and revisiting some familiar places with new eyes. My hope is that the shared experience of quarantine makes this relatable, or perhaps even inspires others to seek out newness within their own familiar territory, using quarantine restrictions as an opportunity more than just a limitation.
Doing this in the place I grew up made it an even better and more restorative experience. Not only was I able to become more deeply acquainted with my home, a place that has grown more and more precious to me as the years go by, but I was able to share many of these experiences with my family, opening them up to things they had never seen before, nor would have thought to seek out if not encouraged to do so. It made me happy to see how happy it made each of them to discover something unexpected in their own backyard, becoming interested in learning more about places and things they were seeing, and appreciative for having been encouraged to get out and explore things beyond their normal routines.
I also realized more so in the past year that not everyone is inclined to actively seek out something new or interesting, or take the extra step to learn about it if it's not something they are ushered into. Understandably, we get caught up with life, work, routines, and habits, which over time can leave us restless and unfulfilled without awareness of why we feel that way - it's why we take vacations, need to practice self care, and need hobbies and passions that give us pleasure.
I think this project was a good reminder of why both the arts and education are important to me. Creating for my own enjoyment is something I highly value, but like most of us, I have given in to the same pitfalls that prevent me from indulging this need as much as I would like. Learning and experiencing something that stokes my sense of wonder is the other component of photography that makes it my preferred medium - and seeing this wonder come alive in others who are sharing the experience with me makes it all the more satisfying. I've always wanted to find ways to combine my loves for photography, nature, travel, learning, and education, and I think this experience reinforces that that is something I should not give up on, whether I continue to do it in a professional or a personal context.