WanderlustLabs

Hi, I’m Raz, a travel photographer, and this website is both the story of my freedom – and a way to bring beautiful art in people’s homes.
It’s a trip around the world and a way to share some of the ideas I believe in: freedom, creativity and friendship.

An insatiable need for exploration motivated me to leave Romania about 4 years ago and aim at discovering the world, one day at a time.
These have been the most beautiful years of my life. I've learned more in 4 years than in all my other 27 years put together. It has been the time with the most intense feelings serving one purpose above all, freedom, and an unexpected by-product: internal exploration.

At first, I didn't set out to become a photographer, but as soon as I realized the twin passion for discovery and photography, it felt only natural to continue cultivating them. Similarly, freedom is something that needs nourishing, not something taken for granted or having to be received from someone. You have to grab it for yourself and it will empower you to do the things that make life worth living.

My own freedom and creativity grew from traveling, standing in awe of magnificent natural landscapes and man-made creations. Also is took shape while encountering in my travels beautiful, creative and free people. People for which living and enjoying life is the most important thing in the world. Free from rules, expectations and social pressure; just close to nature, their inner self and what takes place around them. My friends from India and Nepal showed me for the first time what it means to live as a free spirit.

razvanciuca.com is the story of such people, places and journeys.

I believe that those unique moments in time need to be shared, especially since bringing them into people’s homes will make exploration more accessible for everyone. Most places you’ll find here are worth getting to know intimately; mentioning here, Taj Mahal, with its symbolism for love; Jiuzhaigou with its amazing multicolored lakes and mountain slopes; Bukit Lawang’s jungles and wildlife; Philippines’s white sand beaches and slices of heaven, Japan’s tradition, culture and values withstanding the test of time; Singapore’s surreal city landscapes; and Donsol’s magical firefly show.
They are all expressions of diversity and culture which I hope to bring closer to you; and - by having them into your home - you can feel more in touch with the world around.

Wanderlust Labs is meant to be the bridge between these beautiful photos and you. That's where you can find a selection of my photos which are meant to help transform your house into a home, by making it resonate with you. The photos you'll pick from Wanderlust Labs will share your beliefs, wishes and dreams.

I hope, by now, you've realized that Wanderlust Labs is not just another travel photography shop.
It doesn't include generic photos, nor over processed photography. Wanderlust Labs prefers art that is in touch with reality; full of life, meaning and inspiration for dreaming.

All photos are handpicked, which makes Wanderlust Labs not the largest selection of travel photography (at least for now), but a selection sprinkled with beautiful photos carefully selected for you, the home owner, collector, or interior designer with a taste for art which captures fleeting moments that the next generation may experience in a different way (due to traditions and cultural values that are fading away, influenced by globalization, westernization and other new-age induced elements).

By bringing one of these photos into your home you will receive joy and freedom, and offer it in return.

Speaking about the process itself, I put a lot of heart into my artwork: most photos are crafted with research, consideration and careful attention to details. For example, the nautical set represents photos gathered from around Asia after many months of planning and discovery, getting over the fear of sailing in open water. Or, the wildlife set which involved jungle trekking for days at a time, being chased by a rhino in Nepal’s jungle - and an orangutan in Indonesia (hopefully this won't turn into a trend for me :) ).
As for the photos with people & portraits, these illustrate friendship, getting close to people and making a human connection. Some of the portraits have their own tales with language barriers, communicating through gestures, showing affection, and simply talking to people out of the blue to get to know them better.

So, welcome to Wanderlust Labs and razvanciuca.com, feel free to look around. I hope you’ll like what you find.

Cheers,
Raz