Narrative Photography

Demel’s is a premiere chocolaterie and pastry shop that was established in 1786, in Vienna, Austria.  It remains a staple in the heart of Vienna, and it is home of the finest cakes, chocolates, and sweets.

     As this confectioner creates a sweet treat, patrons watch and smell the decadent desserts.  There are candy and pastry chefs throughout the store, including prominent spots in their store windows.  Demel’s elaborate window displays are very eye catching and entice people to enter and then smell and eat the delicacies.  It is an exquisite shop, and the smell alone makes you want to stay all day and savor the delicious pastries and chocolates. 

     Our visit to Demel’s was a planned event in which we lingered, relaxed, and enjoyed a Sachertorte and coffee in the café above the shop. Walking through the shop was like being in a fairytale. As we strolled through the shop it was so enchanting, and the café setting was romantic and relaxing. 

     Demel’s is a wonderful place to visit while in Vienna. As we ate our Sachertorte and drank our coffee, we felt like we escaped our busy life, and we genuinely enjoyed this happy spot.

During a trip to Kenya, we learned about this beautiful island off the coast of Mombasa. I was struck by the beauty and simplicity of Lamu island. It was like stepping back in time. Due to the narrow and windy roads on this 21-mile island all residents must walk, bike or travel via donkey. It was mesmerized by the donkeys being such central presence with even a donkey sanctuary placed in the middle of island.   I appreciated the simpler life of the inhabitants of this island, their kindness and generosity.  Welcoming us with open arms as we explored their home. Offering us rides on their precious resource, the donkey.

In the eternal battle between nature and culture, look who comes out on top (of the aqueduct).

After weeks living in the crowded streets of Hong Kong, I took a trip to Lamma Island, just off the coast. One ferry ride later, I set off on an extensive hike around the island. To my amazement, a sizable portion of the walk meandered through abandoned villages, vegetation seeping into the cracks between stones. Much of the semester I spent clawing inside my head, locked in a downward spiral of doom for my future and self-criticism. But amongst these ruins, I stopped. I took this photo because after witnessing how these communities vanished to time, how, after a while, the only thing left of their lives were rocks and tangling vines, I realized, ultimately, nothing mattered. Not in a pessimistic way but in a joyful, freeing king of way. Just as nature reclaimed this forgotten residence, I reclaimed my peace of mind from useless worry and anxiety.

This photo was taken in front of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei. A stage was set up in the square, hosting a church event where religious songs were being performed. The man holding the rainbow flag stood directly facing the stage the entire time.

At the beginning of Semana Santa, or Holy Week, citizens of Sevilla take part in parades throughout the city, donning masks and robes. While in the US, these outfits might be taken as a resemblance of the Ku Klux Klan, but in Spain, this is the traditional parade outfit and long predates the KKK. Children eagerly wait on the edge of the street as candy is thrown from the parade floats, and this boy caught me snapping his photo as everyone waits for the parade to begin.

On my first day at my study abroad program in Taiwan, I encountered a one-eyed orange cat outside of the Chinese Learning Center at Soochow University. He was skittish at first, but warmed up to me very quickly and allowed me to pet him. I asked around, and I learned his name was Jiji, named after the cat from Kiki's Delivery Service. The students and staff working at the Chinese Learning Center set out food and water for him every day, and considered him to be their mascot. I watched many students stop to pet him as they came to visit the Center, and I, too, gave him lots of attention each time I saw him. It was great to have the familiar comfort of a friendly campus cat, even when I was thousands of miles away from Rhodes.

As I saw the modern paving dissolve into ancient stones on the Appian Way, one of the world's oldest roads, it truly registered just how many people had walked before me on this road, and how many people would continue to walk it. How many feet will it take to reduce this ancient walkway to dust?

At Place de la République, a place infamous for its many demonstrations and protests that sometimes turn violent, Parisians gathered in celebration of LGBTQ+ rights. One young person hoisted a giant trans flag, rallying for support for French trans people. This moment shows not only that the LGBTQ+ movement is gaining momentum in France, but also that trans people specifically are at the forefront, fighting for their rights.