A joyful image of the user standing on the stunning Navagio Beach in Zakynthos, Greece. Photo above the turquoise waters and the iconic shipwreck nestled in a sandy cove surrounded by towering cliffs in this picturesque Greek paradise.

Europe 2016

You see, 2016 was the very core year of my life of travel, as that’s when it all began with my first year of travel in Europe. From the canals of Amsterdam, alps of Slovenia, to the blue hues of the Greek Cyclades. That trip transformed me in every way, not just as a traveler but it planted the roots as a storyteller.

Hawai’i & Aotearoa 2017

One year later, I voyaged back home for some long over due family time. And with a New Zealand working holiday at hand, I was bound across the U.S. and the Pacific. But despite having an achilles injury in Hawai’i with a massive shift in plans, I still kept strong to heal and voyage Aotearoa on a motorcycle. From the bays of the North Island to the Fjords of Otago in the South Island.

A captivating photo featuring a motorcycle parked near the tranquil shores of a lake in the South Island of New Zealand. The motorcycle, with its sleek design, contrasts against the serene waters of the lake, reflecting the surrounding mountains and the clear blue sky. The image captures the sense of adventure and freedom, illustrating a moment of peaceful contemplation amidst the breathtaking natural beauty of the South Island.

Pacific Islands 2018

Another year later, I found myself once again on the road, this time voyaging across the Pacific islands hitching sails and immersing into the unique culture of Oceania people. From the low lying atolls of Kiribati to the friendly shores of Tonga on the way back to Hawai’i where I eventually lived.

Montage of Pacific islands cultural travel in Kiribati, Tonga, Tuvalu, Nauru, and the Marshall Islands.

What do all these trips have in common?

Before they began, was the hard choice of:

Quality Camera or More Travel.

Might seem super innocent and it was…but for me it was always tough.

You see I have always wanted to go out and voyage and capture beautiful quality visuals, be it video or via photography. However my shoestring budget always had me at those crossroads, and each time, I prioritized travel over a camera. Because the physical state of being and memory meant more to me than the gadgets.

On a Kauai beach with Sony Ax 700 camcorder

For the first time in my voyages, that has changed and despite breaking the bank cutting into what little personal savings I have and tight budget for Oceania 2024, I have invested in a camera that will help me deliver just exactly every detail I dream to capture. A Sony Alpha 7 IV with a Tamron 28-200mm Lens. If that sounds like a foreign language to you, allow me to break down what I had and why I now have this expensive but useful tool.

The Sony AX-700 became my first ever high quality camera in 2021 after six years making do with an Iphone 5S. Two stimulus checks thanks to covid, allowed me to shell out $1600 on a simple camcorder with high quality delivery without having to worry about a lens. Well, I didn’t know shit about lenses…or cameras.

A Sony Alpha 7 IV camera equipped with a Tamron 28-200mm lens. The camera is mounted on a stable surface, displaying its sleek design and advanced features. The lens is attached, highlighting its focal length range and versatility. This professional camera setup represents cutting-edge technology, enabling photographers to capture stunning, detailed images across various focal lengths and scenarios

I studied the camera, studied Youtube videos, and just got out there and learned, because my passions and dreams depended on it. As I got more comfortable with filming for production and post production, I slowly recognized it’s limitations and was ready for the next step. But for 3,000 or more, I was back in the same crossroads.

Yet because of that learning curve and stepping stone of my AX-700 and the growing support and following in what has become deep cultural storytelling and traveling. And because I confidently believe in my work as a creator and how to align that with technical skills through a literal lens, I was ready!

Selfie with Sony Alpha 7 IV and Tamron 28-200mm lens

This Camera Officially Allows me to:

Deliver higher quality visuals

Engage in travel photography

Better Zoom and depth of field capabilities

Freedom of interchangeable lenses

Camera to Mobile Bluetooth transfer

Ability to take on Photography & Video gigs for side jobs

& best of all, a tool that shares my vision and passion in greater detail

Pacific Islands 2024 Cultural Projects and Documentaries

With 7 years of deep immersion into the colorful world of the Pacific Islands, a new voyage on the horizon, and intentional cultural travel in over 50 stops, this new tool will prove valuable on steroids in capturing the beauty of Pacific people and way of life through storytelling. What I was limited to do in Kiribati, Tonga, Tuvalu, Nauru, and the Marshall Islands in 2018 I will be able to do ten fold, plus a drone. I literally have just about everything I have always needed to capture all I desire to learn.

American Samoa Bus: A colorful local bus navigating the scenic roads of the island, adorned with vibrant traditional Polynesian patterns and cultural motifs.

photo of woman with sailboat in background belize

With that being said, this gap between life in Hawai’i and life in the Pacific has been homework in connecting with all likes of people to capture these narratives. And fuck man, “I’m Ready” is an understatement.

My whole life having an eye for detail, my curiosity of the world, passion to learn through people, topped off with the respect I learned through Hawaiians, have all come to this moment.

“This is it”