Page, Arizona, 2016
"Excuse me! May I take your photograph?--You match the desert so well."
For some inexplicable reason I get a kick out of people who match their surroundings. She gave me a blank stare. Two people she was with watched the conversation crash and burn, and then piped up, speaking to her in Korean.
She looked at me again and said, "Okay!"
"I really like your outfit!" I attempted again.
"It is from Korea! Very..." she pulled at her loose sleeves and seemed to be grasping for the right words.
"Airy and comfortable, especially in this heat?"
"Yes!" she agreed enthusiastically.
Berlin, Germany, 2016
Frankfurt, Germany, 2016
It began as a rather quiet Uber ride, but then, as we approached the airport, I complimented him on the way he matched the colors of his shirt with his turban.
"I always do," he said as a matter of fact. To prove his point, he busted out his phone and pulled up his collection of the most colorful selfies I've ever seen. He had yellow, pink, purple turbans, and shirts that matched accordingly. I was pretty impressed.
Tirana, Albania, 2016
While visiting Albania I noticed that almost every older woman dressed from head to toe in black, even donning black stockings in the humid summer heat. This was in great contrast to the women of younger generations, who dressed in a broad array of colors and fashions. One of the theories I heard was that they wore black to honor their spouses who had passed away. To me they appeared to be living, walking memorials of the country's recent communist past.
Costa Mesa, California, 2016
I was filling up my car with gas at ARCO and saw these little flags joyously fluttering underneath the perfect sky. As I snapped photos of the flags this gentleman, also filling up his car with gas, approached me.
"Are you a photographer?" he asked.
"Just an amateur."
"Not for National Geographic or Time, eh?"
We chatted about our shared interest in photography, our "real" jobs, and traveling. His two sons had recently rowed a fishing boat 120 miles down a river in Laos.
"Oh really?"
"Google it. Search for Chris and Will."
Costa Mesa, California, 2016
"I'm from Jerusalem," he declared. "At the center of the mess of it all."
"Oh, are you Jewish?"
"Do I look it?"
"Can you tell if I'm Chinese, Korean or Japanese?"
#mutualethnicambiguity
Irvine, California, 2014
For several days on my drive home from work I saw these gentlemen shooting the breeze at a bus stop near a high school. They looked so happily immersed in their conversation that I suspected they weren't waiting for the bus, but were instead utilizing the bus stop for their hang out sesh. As a big fan of urban spaces that foster social connectedness, I felt compelled to investigate. When I asked, their response was, "We are from India. We are friends."
Big Sur, California, 2012
I love Big Sur but I have one issue with it that I don't plan to resolve. The drive is so dang beautiful that it's hard to travel more than half a mile without wanting to pull off to the side of the road and run straight into the prettiness of the outdoors. Thankfully, this one time I didn't resist the roadside view. Rather, my friend and I hopped out the car, crossed a stream, and made our way to the siren-like sea. There we met these here folks who spent hours building this sweet little hut.
Malibu, California, 2015
I don't often photograph brides, but when I do, I try and make sure they're smoking in front of a graffitied rock.
Crystal Cove, Newport Beach, California, 2014
A bottle with a message washed up on the shore just as I was jogging by. When I snatched it, I heard someone exclaim, "Did that really just happen?"
That someone was Mary and together we inspected the bottle. It was from two siblings whose sister had recently passed away in her early twenties. They hoped that via the bottle, she could fulfill her dream of traveling the world. Afterwards, Mary and I ended up walking and talking along the shore.
"Is there anything from your past that you wish you could have lived differently?" I inquired.
"No. I want to experience it all."
Chinatown, Oakland, California, 2016
I wanted to know what led him to paint at that cross street. He said he was drawn to it because it was so lively. Indeed the neighborhood exuded an invigorating energy, the kind that can be found on streets where shops that spill onto the sidewalk and pedestrians merge. Ten years ago he left his job as a banker and has since then been pursuing art while splitting his time in London, Los Angeles and Oakland. "My paintings may not be perfect, but I find joy in getting better with each try."
Oahu, Hawaii, 2015
I had just finished a muddy forest trek that required who knows how many stream crossings to reach a particular waterfall, and as I jogged back to my friend's treehouse (yes, a treehouse), I saw him, Mr. Lee. He was sitting calmly outside the neighborhood Buddhist temple. He looked picture perfect, so I had to stop and see if he'd let me snap his portrait. Fifteen minutes easily slipped by as he told me about his upbringing, his career as a pilot, his experience of taking care of his brother who died of MRSA, and his own subsequent battle with MRSA. He was at the temple to rest and heal. I sincerely hope that things are looking up for him today.
Frankfurt, Germany, 2016
1000 Steps Beach, Laguna Beach, California, 2014
On rare occasions, such as this, strangers ask me to take their photograph.
Place de la Cathédrale, Lausanne, Switzerland, 2016
The Swiss city of Lausanne has a yearly festival, the Festival de La Cité, that transforms urban spaces and their lake into sites for celebration, theatrical and musical performances, and interactive kiosks for all residents to enjoy for free. While I didn't get a chance join the festivities, I did poke around the night before it began, and longingly watched them get things ready.
Rhine River, Dusseldorf, Germany, 2016
Berlin, Germany, 2012
They were merely arguing, but I couldn't resist throwing a few coins into their cute top hat. (But what if that WAS their act?)
Berlin, Germany, 2012
Dubrovnik, Croatia, 2016
He was taking a smoke break while fishing. I asked, "What are you catching?"
He responded, "From Russia." His wife helped him out and explained that they were from Russia and they got the fishing pole from Dubrovnik.
Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Germany, 2012
When you're caught snapping a covert photo.
Rosenthaler Platz, Berlin, German, 2012
He was playing the Super Mario Brothers theme song on the sax and the crowd was getting pumped. The Americans were dancing awkwardly, the Spaniards were dancing with grace, and the Germans stood there looking at the whole scene as though they were embarrassed for us. You can see for yourself here.
Avignon, France, 2011
Downtown Los Angeles, California 2014
I couldn't make out a single word he sang, but honestly, when you look that interesting, words are optional.
Korea Town, Los Angeles, California, 2015
He said that playing guitar made him feel better. Me, too, man.
Northridge, California, 2016
The oldest "J" was managing his little bros from the sidewalk where he was keeping it cool on his hoverboard. It was the freshest Tang lemonade that I've ever drank. #supportyourlocalbusinesses
Seattle, Washington, 2016
"Excuse me, may I take your photo? You kind of look like you're part of a street art painting."
(Insert awkward laughter here.)
Costa Mesa, California, 2014