I remember my first camera, I was ten. It was very old, encased in leather and it opened like a concertina. I thought it was magical.
Much later, a relative gave me his point and shoot camera. I went overseas and didn't come back for 3 1/2 years. That camera became my best friend and I used it to document all the experiences that I wanted to keep forever.
Several years after returning from that trip, I longed for France.
So, I spent a couple of years learning as much French as I could, quit my job and embarked on a solo back-packing journey around France for 3 months.
In Paris I stayed in a flea-pit of a hotel, read a bio of the French actor Gerard Depardieu, ate as much bread and as many strawberry tarts, and had as many cafe au laits in cafes as I could, in-between visiting museums. I kept a journal which I filled with photos and tales.
Being able to talk to the locals in my broken French was the highlight and something I had only dreamed about doing. In the last 2 weeks I was actually able to write my daily entry exclusively in French. It was a wonderful 3 months.
It was a fabulous, memorable, enriching experience that I treasure to this day. Those journals take pride of place on my book shelf and the photo albums I pieced together are very special. After several visits to Paris, the urge to return never goes away and I'm always secretly planning my next trip. The photos from that time are immeasurably special.
I believe photos transport us. I believe art transports us.
Most of the framed pictures in our house contain important, vivid, happy memories for me or else they are beautiful, artistic captures. When I look at them I feel good, I feel safe, I feel I am home.
One of my favourites, is also one I sell. 'Breakfast in Paris' was taken during one of my daily balcony breakfasts in my flea-pit hotel.
I love it dearly and will never part with it. (and I wouldn't swap my flea-pit hotel either!)
I believe the prints you put on your walls should make you feel good.
You should be able to look at them and feel a sense of wonder or contentedness or both. A framed print on your wall should never just be about a colour scheme.
I hope you will find something here that makes you feel good too.