New Zealand

This is album shares an authentic view of some iconic destinations across South Island New Zealand, including Queenstown, Arrowtown, Glenorchy, Milford Sound, Wanaka, Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo. Out of all the trips I've been on so far, New Zealand stuck out as incredibly special. The scenery is beyond breathtaking, the lakes are clear and still, the ducks and seagulls well behaved, the availability of hikes and trails is an adventurers dream, the winding roads are picturesque and fun to drive, the towns are packed with life, and aspiring photographers and enthusiasts alike are spoilt for choice. It's apparent that the region's culture emphasises a deep connection with nature and land, which was a resonating feeling as I navigated my way around the island. I found being here provided me a spiritual reset...it opened my eyes to what I find important and what my values are, with the resounding answer being a life filled with more natural remedy than metropolitan distractions. Becoming acutely aware of this aspiration enabled my creativity to have an opportunity to shine, which led to the creation of Hourizon Photography as a blueprint to accomplish my goal of being more connected with the world around me. After much reflection and experiencing a quarter life crisis where I've questioned the direction of my existing career in professional services, I've come to learn that the answer to happiness doesn't need to include drastically shifting my lifestyle. While I appreciate being away from computer screens and feel empowered being in natural landscapes, I also believe that the moments we look forward to, enjoy highly, and fondly remember are those we can't experience all the time. In other words, without responsibility, the novelty of freedom would wear off, and we'd lose our sense of aspiration, creativity and spontaneity which often lead to the most exciting and memorable moments. Variety and balance is important, and even our hobbies consumed in excess can be boring. In this sense, the challenge of working full time in a professional setting actually helps to keep my mind fresh and appreciative of the moments I have free, and I believe without this balancing act of accountability, I would not have enjoyed or been grateful to have visited such a beautiful part of the world. Your 20s are a challenging time, and for anyone who resonates with my recent experiences, I encourage you to simplify your focus, lessen the noise from others telling you what you should do (whether this be from social media, friends or family), reflect on your aspirations and values, and set the boundaries to enable you to accomplish your goals. Provided your perspective remains realistic, you may find small mindset changes can lead to big results without reshaping your entire lifestyle.