This project is rooted in a personal commitment I’ve been working toward for years: to photograph more consistently and intentionally. Studying abroad this summer gave me both the space and the subject matter to finally act on that goal. My time in Paris, as well as my travels to Amsterdam and Barcelona, became an opportunity to engage more deeply with the world around me—and to document it through portraiture.

These images are not just about the people I’ve met or the places I’ve visited; they’re about presence. Whether it’s a quiet moment in Paris, a chaotic night out, or time spent with people I love—like my best friend or my girlfriend—each portrait reflects a conscious effort to hold onto the feeling of now. The act of daily documentation became a way to preserve this chapter of my life: the emotions, connections, and fleeting experiences that might otherwise pass unrecorded.

Technically, the project blends two visual approaches: film photography on my Canon EOS-1V to capture the softness and natural light of the day, and digital images from my Canon G7X to explore the mood and energy of nightlife. The duality between the two mediums mirrors the rhythm of my time abroad—both calm and chaotic, reflective and spontaneous.

In the end, this project is as much about personal growth as it is about image-making. It's a visual diary of a transformative summer, and a reminder to always continue creating