summer in brooklyn

photo by chelsea donho

it’s mid-way through my summer in brooklyn. I swapped out my peaceful jungle Maui life for constant honking outside my window — and I’m pretty stoked.

last year I came to New York City for a week after photographing at a flow arts festival outside of philly. little did I know, I would fall in love. on my flight home, I scribbled in my journal and started brainstorming some ideas: how to spend the summer in brooklyn, 10 months until I move across the united states, what needs to be done to move to new york, how to get a dog from hawaii to the mainland, and then peared out the window and started dreaming.

I truly believe that with determination, hard-work, creativity and planning, you can make your wildest desires come true.

things I’ve been loving about new york city:

1. photographing in new places. don’t get me wrong — shooting barefoot with my toes in the sand, witnessing perfect sunsets, and taking clients to waterfalls are just a few reasons why being a maui photographer is awesome. although I must say, I’m enjoying the mystery of walking around a corner and not knowing what’s next. shapes, shadows, double exposures, film and architecture. keepin’ it fresh by challenging myself with the unfamiliar.

2. hip hop dance classes. I’ve always dreamed of taking dance to the next level, but had some major limiting beliefs that stopped me for years. “24?! that’s way too old to begin taking hip hop classes.” well, peace out negative thought! being self-conscious blows and I don’t got time for that. even if there are more 12-year olds in class than adults some days, they freakin’ rule and I look at it as inspiration. the choreography is keeping my mind sharp and pushing my limits. dancing will always be there for me no matter what happens in life. it brings me happiness and community. check out #cadencedances on instagram for some snippets from class.

3. art. in all it’s forms. a person busking on the sweltering subway platform, who brings tears to my eyes. the street art in bushwick, musicians, that DJ that made my night and played all my fav tracks, shows, museums. it’s everywhere, and everything is it. all of the artistic stimulation in new york is inspiring my photography, movement, and life.

4. change. I’m all about that switch-up. mixing things up is good for the soul! those challenging moments help us grow. getting to know a new place and its vibe is one of my favorite things in the world.

I would love to hear from you! where are you dreaming of visiting? do you have a plan to make it happen? leave a comment below, and share if you’re feeling inspired to do so.

aloha,
cadence