PORTRAITS I really enjoy photographing people. It is the perfect opportunity to get closer, aiming to capture their dignity, their goodness, their soul. Tokyo, Japan Kalimantan, Indonesia Brooklyn, New York Bali, Indonesia Bali, Indonesia Tokyo, Japan Kyoto, Japan Bali, Indonesia Pereira, Colombia Paris, France Paris, France Paris, France Paris, France Bwindi, Uganda Bwindi, Uganda Bali, Indonesia Kalimantan, Indonesia Bali, Indonesia Bali, Indonesia Kalimantan, Indonesia Bali, Indonesia Kyoto, Japan New York, USA New York, USA Kyoto, Japan Pereira, Colombia Tokyo, Japan Bwindi, Uganda Masai Village, Kenya Bwindi, Uganda Masai Village, Kenya Masai Village, Kenya BACK TO TOP

GORILLAS "There is a deep spirituality in the gorilla that is hard to describe, and it is something that must be experienced to truly understand." - Diane Fossey After 3 hours of a steep hike into the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, we found the Katwe family. Words cannot describe the incredible emotion of seeing these gentle gorillas up so close. Their peaceful demeanor and majestic presence took my breath away, literally. By now you probably know my deep love for animals, this was truly special and this encounter will forever hold a special place in my heart. Bwindi, Uganda 2023 BACK TO TOP

ABOUT ME When I was 13, my father gave me my first camera, a beautiful Leica he had been keeping as a treasure since the 1960s. He also gifted me with the best trip of my life. A trip that changed my life forever. I took so many pictures with the Leica! When I returned home, I looked for a photography course so I could develop my own photos. In that dark room, I discovered my deep passion for photography. ​ Photography is the main way in which I share my experiences and the things that capture my eye when I travel. I hope you enjoy browsing through my photos as much as I enjoy taking them. My goal is to photograph as much of the world as possible and share the treasures of the planet with anyone who wants to journey with me. ​

LANDSCAPES “To the complaint, 'There are no people in these photographs,' I respond, There are always two people: the photographer and the viewer.” ― Ansel Adams Maine, USA Arches National Park, USA Cocora Valley, Colombia San Miguel de Allende, Mexico Bali, Indonesia Olympic National Park, USA San Juan, Puerto Rico Capitol Reef National Park - Utah, USA Arches National Park - Utah, USA Acapulco, Mexico Olympic National Park, USA Capri, Italy Larchmont, NY, USA Bryce National Park - Utah, USA In a beautiful place somewhere in the world Nusa Penida, Indonesia Grand Teton National Park, USA Yellowstone National Park , USA Yellowstone National Park , USA Central Park, New York, USA Canyonlands National Park, USA Near Acadia National Park , USA Utah , USA Capitol Reef National Park , USA Yellowstone National Park , USA Uluwatu - Bali, Indonesia Yellowstone National Park , USA Yellowstone National Park , USA Grand Teton National Park , USA Grand Teton National Park , USA Zion National Park , USA Capitol Reef National Park , USA Canyonlands National Park , USA San Miguel de Allende, Mexico Portland, Maine, USA Yellowstone National Park , USA Arches National Park , USA Lake Victoria, Uganda Olympic National Park , USA BACK TO TOP

THE BALINESE WEDDING In Balinese culture, weddings are seen as one of the most important events in a person's life. The ceremony is a mix of Hindu and Balinese customs and is filled with elaborate rituals and offerings to seek blessings from the gods. Known as “pawiwahan”, the Balinese wedding is a sacred ceremony that involves the gods, creatures from the underworld, and people as the three crucial witnesses. It is a beautiful and elaborate celebration of love and commitment that is steeped in tradition and culture. The ceremony typically takes place in a temple or a sacred location and involves intricate rituals and customs that have been passed down through generations. It all started with me casually strolling around a traditional village on a scooter without any expectations. Suddenly, I bumped into this wedding car. In a very impulsive act, I started chasing the car trying to get this picture. The driver saw me riding behind them. As I passed them, I asked if I could take pictures and this is what I got....while both vehicles were still moving! Those smiles were the prize to my bold and dangerous maneuver. ​ The bride and groom were appreciative of my interest and invited me to join their special ceremony! One of the most striking aspects of a Balinese wedding is the decoration. The venue is typically adorned with vibrant flowers and intricate decorations made from bamboo and other natural materials. The wedding attire of the bride and groom is a significant aspect of the Balinese wedding. The brides and grooms don’t get to choose these costumes by themselves, but these costumes are set according to the family’s caste levels. The bride is adorned in a traditional "kebaya" , which is a form-fitting blouse, and a sarong, which is a long piece of fabric wrapped around the waist. The groom wears a traditional Balinese jacket, known as a "saput," paired with a sarong.​ The wedding ceremony begins with the arrival of the groom and his entourage at the bride's family compound or temple. During the wedding ceremony, the couple performs a series of rituals that symbolize their commitment to each other. These rituals include the presentation of offerings to the gods, the exchange of vows and rings, and the pouring of holy water over the couple's hands. ​ The bride and groom exchange vows and offerings while a priest leads the ceremony. Besides the dress, both bride and groom wear a traditional golden crown decorations. The height of the crown also symbolizes the level of a family’s caste. After the ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests proceed to the reception, where they enjoy traditional Balinese food and music. The reception is often held in a beautiful outdoor setting, surrounded by lush greenery and decorated with colorful flowers and Balinese ornaments. Capturing the beauty and emotion of a Balinese wedding was a truly rewarding experience. They welcomed me as if I was part of the family and shared their very special moment with a complete stranger. When I returned home, I printed the pictures and send them back to them. I have a new family to visit when I go back to Bali! BACK TO TOP

WILDLIFE “No matter how few possessions you own or how little money you have, loving wildlife and nature will make you rich beyond measure.” ― Paul Oxton ELEPHANTS GORILLAS LIONS ORANGUTANS MONKEYS OTHER CREATURES

THE BATWA PEOPLE - UGANDA Conservation Refugees Drastic changes in their lifestyle, constant discrimination, and zero opportunities. The Batwa in Uganda don’t need charity and donations. They need to be protected for who they are. I learned about the Batwa, also known by the derogatory name “Pygmies”, studying anthropology in college. African Pygmies are often assumed to be the direct descendants of the Middle Stone Age hunter-gatherer peoples of the central African rainforest. The Batwa are now also called conservation refugees, as governments scramble to cope with the pressures of population growth and climate change. ​ They were unwillingly forced and displaced from the impenetrable rainforests due to conservation efforts and the need to expand habitation for mountain gorillas. After their expulsion, the public authority gave some Batwa families farmland. Unfortunately, they didn’t know how to cultivate – nor were taught how. Today an estimated 6,000 Ugandan Batwa live on the periphery of the forest, pushed higher and higher up the mountainside, or in slums in nearby towns. They are among the poorest inhabitants of one of the world's poorest countries, laboring on nearby farms or performing for tourists when they can. Those who do receive a portion of the park entry fees. No tourists mean no pay. ​ The Batwa see tourism as one of the few options to move forward. “We’re now living in poverty. We were sent away from our land. Our tribe has become endangered because many of the Batwa, after being sent away from the forests, scattered to other parts of the county and many died because they could not cope with life outside the forest. Before being evicted we used to use herbal medicine and ate the fruits from trees which made our people live long and hunted for animals, so food was plentiful. Now we struggle to look for food”. - Betty Keturesi who was the only one who spoke a little English. ​ "We were evicted from the forests, and now they are home to the mountain gorillas." ​ And unlike these conservation refugees, the gorilla population has grown from 400 to about 460. But the Batwa see very little of the tens of millions of dollars Uganda earns from tourism revenue. ​ The situation with the Batwa People in Uganda presents a complex ethical dilemma that involves balancing the conservation of endangered species with the human rights of indigenous communities. The Batwa People have been living in the forest for generations and rely on its resources for their livelihoods and cultural practices. However, the conservation efforts to protect the gorillas have restricted their access to the forest and disrupted their way of life, leading to poverty, social exclusion, and cultural loss. On the one hand, protecting endangered species is essential for the biodiversity and the ecological balance of the planet. Gorillas are a keystone species that play a crucial role in their ecosystem, and their conservation benefits not only the wildlife but also the local communities through eco-tourism and conservation education. Conservation efforts can also include community-based approaches that involve the participation and benefit-sharing of indigenous people, recognizing their traditional knowledge and rights. Traditionally, when men went hunting, they used to build tree houses like this one where they left the little ones under the care of the eldest woman of the community to keep them safe from wildlife, while women and mothers gathered fruits and herbs for cooking. ​ In 1991, the government of Uganda reclassified lands the Batwa had lived on for millennia as national parks. That decision pitted the interests of largely invisible people against those of an animal that had become a global icon for environmental conservation. ​ ​ I spent a whole day with them (wish I had more time). They showed me how they used to make fire when they lived in the forest and even recreated a hunting . I was struck by the genuine warmth and hospitality of the Batwa people, who welcomed me into their homes and shared stories, songs and dances with me. ​ At the same time, I was saddened to learn about the history of discrimination, displacement and marginalization that the Batwa have faced for generations. ​ I left my visit with a renewed appreciation for the diversity and richness of human cultures, and a commitment to advocating for greater respect, recognition and support for indigenous peoples and their rights. The Batwa People have faced discrimination, marginalization, and exploitation throughout history, and their displacement from the forest can worsen their situation and cause intergenerational trauma. The conservation of gorillas should not come at the cost of sacrificing the well-being and dignity of human beings. As an animal lover, I really hope and pray that a balance between the Batwa and the gorillas can be achieved. A holistic and compassionate approach towards conservation and community welfare is crucial, recognizing that the two are intertwined and dependent upon each other for long-term success. Bwindi, Uganda 2023 To know more see this PBS News Hour Special: Uganda’s Batwa tribe, considered conservation refugees, see little government suppor t. BACK TO TOP

FLOWERS & NATURE Earth laughs in flowers. - Ralph Waldo Emerson BACK TO TOP

UNDERWATER “On the surface of the ocean, men wage war and destroy each other; but down here, just a few feet beneath the surface, there is a calm and peace, unmolested by man” – Jules Verne We dive not to escape life, but for life not to escape us! BACK TO TOP

MONKEYS “The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.” - Rafiki, The Lion King BACK TO TOP