When Hurricane Sandy hit New York City, the after math was heartbreaking.

Coney Island was buried in sand, homes were left in ruins and trains were down for days and days on end. I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life! Hurricane Sandy was a true force of nature and we all completely underestimated her.

 

As a kid I always enjoyed playing outdoors. My father would take my siblings and I to go hiking, bike riding or to play sports. One of the many reasons why I love visiting my childhood home is because of the trees. When you live in New York City, the only trees you will ever find are in Central Park (and I’m sorry my fellow New Yorkers, but they do not count!). It’s because of my relationship with the great outdoors that I’ve grown to love and respect it.

After Hurricane Sandy had passed, my father and brother decided to remove the storm debris from the backyard. I ran outside with my camera to document them working because it hit me: mother nature can not only be peaceful and calm – she can also be destructive and unpredictable. Just like human beings. Which mean’s we’re not that different…that’s the greatest lesson.

Instead of taking landscape images like other amazing photographers such as Ansel Adams and Sally Mann, I wanted to get up close and personal. Because the details and shadows that nature create are rarely documented and you would be surprised what amazing things lie just a few inches of us:

So this was a way of paying respect back to nature and understanding her just a bit more. Because she is Mother to us all and it wouldn’t hurt to show her some love in return. And with this attitude of gratitude of appreciating what is around me, that was one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned.

Now it’s time to share your story!

Who (or what) was your most influential teacher? What lessons did you learn that changed the way you are? Leave a comment below and let me know what was your greatest lesson of all

I would love to hear your story.

Til next time – much love,

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