I just returned home from a much-needed vacation, and I feel refreshed in a way that only travel can bring. Stepping outside my everyday routine reminds me just how small — and yet so rich — our world truly is.
A Childhood Spark: It’s a Small World
As a child, one of my favorite ride at the Magic Kingdom was the It’s a Small World ride. Sitting in that little boat surrounded by colorful characters and listening to the same gentle melody in different languages was like stepping into a storybook. Even at that age, I was captivated by the idea that people from all over the world had their own cultures, traditions, and stories — and that, despite those differences, we also have so much in common.
That feeling followed me into real life as well. I’ll never forget meeting a choir from the USSR who had traveled all the way to Pittsburgh, my hometown. Even though we spoke different languages, they shared a smile — and a gift. They handed me a pair of wooden spoons, painted in bright, intricate patterns. I still treasure those spoons to this day because they remind me that, no matter where we come from, we can appreciate and learn from one another.
Travel Fuels Creativity and Connection
As a photographer, these kinds of connections mean everything to me. Travel — whether my own journeys or welcoming people from faraway places — fuels my creativity and expands my view of the world. Every new face, accent, landscape, and tradition I encounter adds color to my work. My mind is busy absorbing light, shapes, and emotions that will eventually make their way into my photos.
And travel isn’t just about going places — sometimes it’s about seeing your own city through someone else’s eyes. Hosting visitors reminds me that life here is full of beauty and character too, and that every place holds its own kind of magic.
That’s one of the most beautiful things about travel: it reminds me that we’re all part of one big, fascinating story. Every face, every street corner, every small exchange adds to the larger picture — just like light and color come together in a photograph. Whether I’m flying across the world or sharing my city with someone who’s come from far away, I always come back feeling inspired and more connected to my craft.
If you ever have the chance to travel — or to welcome someone who is — I encourage you to embrace it. Let yourself explore, listen, taste new foods, exchange stories, and take home those tiny treasures that will forever make you smile. You never know what moment might inspire your next photo or forever change the way you see your everyday world.
Let's tell your story!
And if you’d like help capturing some of your own everyday magic, let’s talk! Life is an incredible adventure, and I’d love to help you tell your story — wherever it takes you.
