Masterful Bernini

Fountain of the Four Rivers. Rome, Italy. January 2009. 

A favorite gathering spot for both Romans and tourists, Piazza Navona features this amazing fountain, Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi by Bernini. "Fountain of the Four Rivers" represents four rivers in four continents where papal supremacy reigned in the 1600s; the Nile (Africa), the Danube (Europe), Ganges (Asia), and Rio de la Plata (Americas). This fountain is one of the many reasons why Rome would not be as beautiful had it not been for masterful Bernini. 

'Til Death Do Us Part

'Til Death Do Us Part. New Orleans, LA, U.S.A. January 2011.

Cemeteries in New Orleans are hauntingly beautiful and unique in that they are filled with above ground tombs. In NOLA, there are three prolific cemeteries, Saint Louis 1, 2, and 3. This was taken in Saint Louis Cemetery 2. I spent hours walking through all three; call me morbid, but these were more interesting to look at than the trainwrecks on Bourbon Street. 

The Oldest Synagogue In Europe

Horseshoe Arches. Toledo, Spain, May 2013. 

From Madrid, Toledo is a short train ride northwest. One of the most beautiful structures my friends Janelle, Cat, and I visited was the Santa María la Blanca. Santa María la Blanca is the oldest standing synagogue in Europe. Completed in 1180, this building is an interesting blend as it was constructed by Moorish architects to be used as a synagogue in a Catholic country. You can see the distinctly Islamic influence in the architecture, particularly in these horseshoe arches. It was a synagogue until the 1400s, and has been since used as a monastery, an armory and warehouse, and is now a museum.  

Pike Place Bus Stop

Waiting. Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. January 2012.

I was in Seattle for an engagement party and was able to spend some quality catch up time with my friend Connor* while there. I captured this shot as we were leaving the Pike Place. It was an overcast winters day and I thought that this silhouette was a pretty good representation of the mood. 

*Connor is an amazing photographer - his work puts mine to shame. Please give him a follow on Instagram - you won't be disappointed. 

The True Artist

The True Artist. Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A. April 2015. 

As I was about to take this shot without a subject, Ayo unknowingly walked into frame. I asked him to stop, not move, and surprisingly he obliged a complete stranger. Thank you Ayo for making this photo complete! The installation was created by Bruce Nauman (1967) and reads:

The true artist helps the world by revealing mystic truths

I have to admit, I've run up the "Rocky Steps" a few times and never wanted to continue into the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I finally made the trip this weekend; why did I wait so long? Word to my friends - if you've already made it up the steps - the museum is worth the extra trek, don't be lazy!

Blue

Blue. Istanbul, Turkey. November 2012.

I visited Sultan Ahmed Mosque, better known as The Blue Mosque, in 2012 and it was one of the most stunning domes I have ever seen in person. The blue tiles reflect incredible light and the craftsmanship is something I still have a hard time comprehending. Istanbul is one of the most artistically stimulating places I have visited and this stunning mosque is one of the reasons why I could see myself living in there. 

What's That?

What's That? Stockholm, Sweden. July 2013. 

Without a doubt, my two favorite museums in Stockholm are the Vasamuseet and Fotografiska; they actually sit across the river from each other. Fotografiska is a beautifully designed museum dedicated to contemporary photography. It houses ever-changing exhibits and it is a "must see" for any photo enthusiast. I was lucky enough to be there to catch an exhibit of Helmut Newton. In addition to the various exhibits, the museum is also known for it's scenic cafe and restaurant. One side of the cafe is lined with windows where you can veg for hours on end (and I definitely did). I took this shot because of the couple peering out the window, however I also like that the amusement park Gröna Lund is featured in the background. 

The Golden State

Blaze of Glory. San Diego, California. March 2015. 

"The first stab of love is like a sunset, a blaze of color -- oranges, pearly pinks, vibrant purples..." - Anna Godbersen

A Peek Into Riga

A Peek Into Riga. Riga, Latvia. July 2013. 

My friend Tom and I had a day together in Riga before jumping over to Stockholm. We arrived via bus from Tallinn early in the morning and made a beeline for the top of St. Peter's Church to beat the rush. St. Peter's Church offers the best panoramic views of old town Riga. The view is actually unobstructed; I knelt down to take this photo through the legs of the terrace. I wanted to highlight the other major church in old town - the Riga Cathedral - by framing it through the keyhole. 

Vertigo

Vertigo. Barcelona, Spain. May 2013.  

I climbed up the Nativity Façade of La Sagrada Familia and I captured this shot on my walk down one of the spires. The vertical nature of the cathedral is definitely something to marvel at. The Nativity Façade is the more ornate side of the cathedral and the first façade to be completed under the personal supervision of Gaudí. Gaudí's original design for La Sagrada Familia calls for 18 spires and eight have been completed to-date, four on the Nativity Façade and four on the Passion Façade. Only ten more and a century left to go! 

With Love, Venezia

From Rialto Bridge With Love. Venice, Italy. June 2003. 

I thought I would put a genuine throwback photo into the mix today. I studied abroad in Rome the summer of 2003. Weekends would entail jumping on a train and going somewhere in Italy. Venice was my final side trip before returning to the U.S., and it was the most magical. Yes, you are overcharged for a ride on a gondola, yes the water smells a bit, yes there were lots of pigeons in St. Mark's Square, but GDI do Venetians know how to make a good Bellini and live "la dolce vita". 

Manga Style

Stacks On Stacks. Kyoto, Japan. December 2014. 

While waiting at the train station in Kyoto, I stepped into a comic book store to kill some time. I could not read any of the titles, but the way the books were stacked jumped out at me, incredibly colorful and bright. I love this Manga style.