A visit to the Fort Worth Zoo turned out to be more than just a day trip—it was a reminder that you don’t have to go far to reconnect with wonder. From elephants and giraffes to flamingos and tigers, every animal had a way of pulling me into the moment. Sometimes the wild is right in front of you—you just have to stop and look.

In the heart of New Orleans, I wandered through two spaces shaped by time—City Park, where ancient oaks stretch toward the sky, and Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery, where marble tombs rise like monuments to memory. What began as a quiet walk turned into a journey through history, beauty, and the kind of stillness that asks you to slow down and feel the past beneath your feet.

Tucked between a highway and a quiet stretch of concrete, I stumbled on a field of wild sunflowers — blooming boldly where no one was looking. What started as a detour turned into a lesson in stillness, softness, and the kind of beauty that doesn’t wait for permission. This is the story of that golden hour — and the unexpected magic that made me stop, breathe, and shoot.

I didn’t start travel photography to collect postcards — I started to preserve how it felt to be somewhere. From quiet forest trails to bustling street corners, photography became a way to slow down, connect, and remember. In this post, I share the story behind Éblouissant Escapades and why I chose to chase light, mood, and meaning around the world.