Once Upon A Trip | Paris

Continuing my mini series, "Once Upon A Trip" I share with you a few images from Paris. In 2005 I did a six week study abroad in Ireland. Immediately after I traveled to Paris and got my first taste of Europe.

While in Ireland I had begun to learn how to use my camera on manual ("M") mode. I was shocked how much I was picking up. Throughout my time in Paris I continued to try and learn more about my camera and teach myself to see things in a new way.

The trip itself was amazing. Visiting the Louvre, Picasso Museum, Notre Dame and a handful of other places all in a few days was both eye opening and somewhat overwhelming.

I came home from that trip knowing three things-
That wouldn't be my last time in Europe.
I had a newfound passion for photography.
Crepes in Paris may be the most delicious desert on the planet!

Hope you enjoy a few of the images!

 above- self portrait my first day in Paris

 above- this is the first image I ever created that I looked at and said wow! (it may have taken a few times to get there...okay maybe a lot of trial and error)

  above- self portrait at the Louvre- honestly I liked the Picasso museum better. 

  above- Notre Dame. I would love to go back there now and have a full day to just photography this beautiful church. Amazing. 

Once Upon A Trip Mini Series

Previous Post: Ireland

Next Post: London

music playing while posting this- You've Got to Hide Your Love Away (The Beatles)

Once Upon a Trip | Ireland 2005

So I had this idea that I would do a mini-series on this blog of posts from past travels. I got excited about showcasing some of the places I've been and people I've met. I began to sort through old photos looking back well before my professional days.

Then I almost scratched the whole thing.

I'm going to be honest. Sometimes it's hard as a photographer to look back at early work and want to put it out there. It just doesn't measure up to current expectations.

But, I'm proud to say I overcame the hesitancy. The truth of the matter is this trip was the turning point for me when it came to wanting more out of photography. It had always been a hobby up until then, but for Ireland I bought a new camera. A Canon Powershot. We may look back at it's specs and laugh compared to the camera's available on today's market but there was an important feature it had.

Manual mode.

This was the first time in my life I began playing with the manual setting on a camera, and once I did I became hooked!

So, without further ado here are pictures from my two months in Ireland in 2005. Hope you enjoy!

If anyone is curious about the locations, they were taken across much of central and southern Ireland including Dublin, Cliffs of Moher, The Cork & Kerry region, and the ancient monastery of Clonmacnoise.

Next post in the series: Scotland 2005