"Without experimentation, a willingness to ask questions and try new things, we shall surely become static, repetitive, and moribund."—Anthony Bourdain
The combination of Instagram and moving to Philadelphia in September 2013 is what led me into photography. My goal was to become acquainted with this new city I was in and did this by wandering the streets in my free time; knowing no one and having no plans while having no money, this was a lot of time. I started posting what looked interesting, then delved into the world of hashtags, started following people, and seeing where they were posting from, further learning what this city was all about and where to visit. Doing this not only helped me learn the city itself, but also subconsciously learned how to shoot better photos. What I did not realize I was doing was never being stagnant or complacent. While I thought to myself “I am never bored here”, I used this urge to travel to both learn the ins and outs of Philadelphia as well as to look for the continuously new.
Beyond this introduction of my interest in photography, I learned that the drive to shoot and shoot better was based on the need to explore. One cannot sit at home or go to the familiar places and expect results or improvements. Looking back at what I was first posting, both with the tools I had and the lack of knowledge of what I was doing, the results are laughably bad to me (for the record, I would never criticize anyone except myself on the work they put out as I am my own worst critic). I did not know this at the time and this ignorance is bliss sense of naivete made me want to do more. I am still shocked and grateful for the support of who I consider several of the city’s best photographers following me. I was a nobody with a phone on his camera and was instantly welcomed into this community. The lack of elitism and overall comradery I experienced during my first Instameets, not only killed the prejudice I had against Philadelphians, but continuously pushed me to try new things and never stop exploring, either alone or with others. My time was spent scrolling and mentally taking notes on what I aspired to do.
In Philadelphia, I have been invited to many unique places, from community gardens to museums to five-star hotels, and I jump at the chance to both see these spaces for what they are while doing my best to promote these places via Instagram. While I have never been paid for these events, that is not the point and I do not care. I have met so many great people along the way, with photography barely being in our conversations. And all I want is more, to continue to see every aspect of the city and to further be around these people.
With this all said, photography makes me want to travel as much as possible and away from the traditionally tourist areas as much as possible. Going to New York City (a city I hope to become much more familiar with) for the day, choosing an area to explore and shoot in is an adventure to me and I seek more of that across the world, either solo or with others. Life is too short to be stagnant, to want to only see the familiar, and the ability to see, either by traveling or at the very least reading, and experience something new, whether in the same area code or across the world should constantly be a goal for people.
Explore. Wander. Get lost. Lose your prejudices. Eat what you’ve never eaten before. Take a camera with you.