WELCOME TO OUR PHOTOGRAPHIC ODYSSEY!

I know you are all waiting to find out what this is all about! We are about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime!

WHAT IS A PHOTOGRAPHIC ODYSSEY?

JEN: An Odyssey is described as "a long series of wanderings or adventures, especially when filled with notable experiences." Carlos and I are both photographers and we both love to travel, so with a bit of brainstorming we came up with the name Our Photographic Odyssey.

CARLOS: Simply put, an Odyssey with photography thrown into the mix. I think odyssey is most fitting because for the most part this is an adventure where although we have a general idea of where we are going, wandering and exploring is exactly what we are doing.

WHERE ARE YOU HEADED?

JEN:
Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam. If anyone has any suggestions or tips please let us know. :)

CARLOS: Nothing is set in stone but as of now, we have tickets for the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THIS IDEA?

JEN: I'll start from the beginning. Carlos and I met each other in a photography class late in September 2007. After the second class, a bunch of us went next door for a coffee. Carlos and I both found out that not only did we both love photography, but we also loved to travel. Our perfect dream would be to take off traveling the world to take photos. I said, "Let's do it! Let's quit our jobs, and travel the world!" He agreed and here we are. (Yes, life CAN be that simple).

CARLOS: Technically, we came up with the idea the second day Jen and I met but as our relationship developed so did our plans to travel. Visiting Asia has always been a dream of mine, and as Jen loved her last trip out here we agreed that this would be a great starting point in what will hopefully be our dream of seeing the whole world!


WHY?

JEN: Why not? Life is about living, so you may as well live it the way you want to. Life is about experience and living in the moment. To have the opportunity to live your dreams and not take it would be foolish.

CARLOS: Life is a very important gift that should be fully taken advantage of and that is what I'm trying to do. I think a lot of people here lost their way in life and are living for the wrong reasons. We are meant to be happy and to follow our dreams. I am most happy traveling and embracing the beauty in the world, so I am focusing my energy on being able to do this.

BIGGEST SETBACK:

JEN: For me, I think it was worrying about what other people would think. I didn't want to disappoint my family or the people I worked with. But in the end I realized it was wrong of me to worry because everyone was more than supportive and I am very thankful for that.

CARLOS: I think the challenges that come along with traveling are a necessary part, so I don't really see them as a set back, but more as learning experiences and character building pieces in a true travel experience.

BIGGEST INSPIRATION:

JEN: Carlos. Without a doubt. He has taught me so much about being positive and has proved to me that you really can make your dreams come true.

CARLOS: I have a few, but my family being number one. They support me and love me so much that I feel anything is possible and any feelings of doubt or fear are always over-powered. Next would have to be everyone who is afraid to follow their dreams and those who are unable to. I feel very privileged to have the ability to do this and have the courage as well. Focusing on the things that aren't actually important in life, such as material gains have created a world where we put our own borders on ourselves, but if we can summon the courage to overcome that and other fears, the world opens up to us.


WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO START THIS BLOG?

JEN: Who doesn't have a blog? First of all we wanted to keep everyone up to date on our adventures. Secondly, I feel like we are being bombarded by negative media all the time and I thought this would be a positive blog to show others out there that anything is possible if you believe it can be. Please leave comments for us when you visit the blog!

CARLOS: To share with friends, family and anyone else who may be interested in our amazing trip. We want to show the beauty that is in this world, hopefully relieving everyone from the constant negative images bombarding us in the modern media. And if we are lucky, to inspire people to follow their own dreams.


WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GAIN FROM THIS ODYSSEY:

JEN: Well the obvious reason is to expand my photographic portfolio. Besides that, I want to gain a greater perspective on life. My experiences in traveling have always been eye-opening and I can only imagine what this trip will reveal to me.

CARLOS: Life experience, good memories and a greater appreciation for our world. Experiences and knowledge are things that can never be taken away so to me they are things of greatest value.