Puerto Rico
/ film only :)
We stayed at Dada Jaja, a designer? boutique? Airbnb in Puerto Rico, and it was so worth it. I’ve always loved exploring different designer spaces and seeing how people create atmosphere and feeling through interiors.
I used to be an extreme J person on the MBTI spectrum — being prepared and organized gives me a sense fo sercurity. But after covid, when all my plans shifted, I had no choice but to learn how to live with uncertainty. I think shooting film taught me the same thing too. Things might not work out, or the image might be out of focus, might be blurry, and that’s fine, as long as the emotion still lives in us. Lately I’ve started feeling like life works the same way. Some of the most meaningful moments happen completely unplanned — like turning a corner at the exact right time and being met with a sky so beautiful.
That evening we went back to the place where we saw the sunset before — El Espigón (La Garita del Diablo) in San Juan — and sat there for almost an hour just listening to the waves. At one point I asked Alie if freedom and happiness are kind of conceptual.
A lot of people tell me I must have so much freedom because of my job as a photographer, but honestly I often feel the opposite. Especially with weddings and elopements, the work holds so much emotional weight, and the uncertainty of freelancing makes me want to hold onto every inquiry that comes my way. But lately I’ve started realizing how unhealthy it is to constantly overwork yourself both physically and mentally.
At the same time, I know I’m incredibly lucky. I’m still pretty new to this, yet somehow I’ve already been trusted to witness and capture so many beautiful moments. I’m beyond grateful for every couple who has allowed me to be a part of such an important day in their lives.
Alie told me she thinks happiness and freedom probably is conceptual — that it depends on how we choose to see and receive things. She said there’s no point comparing who’s “luckier,” because there will always be someone getting more attention, more love, more validation online. Happiness can’t really be measured against someone else’s life when we only truly know our own. Everyone moves differently, and as long as we’re growing in our own way, that’s enough. And the fact we get to sit here just doing nothing, that’s a lot of freedom.
Alie is always so wise.