For as long as I can remember, I’ve chased moments that remind me how small I am; the moments that make the world feel big again. The sardine run is one of those moments -- a crazy spectacle of survival, chaos, and connection all at once. I went all the way to South Africa to see it with my own eyes and to feel what it means to be a part of something this wild.
There’s something to be said about carrying a camera that doesn’t feel like a burden. One that disappears into your day, quietly ready to document whatever unfolds. For the past few weeks, that camera has been the Panasonic LUMIX S9 paired with the new 18–40mm f/4.5–6.3 kit lens, and I’ve found myself reaching for it more often than expected.
I’ll be honest: I’ve never used a NAS before. As a photographer and content creator, I’ve spent years juggling stacks of external SSDs and hard drives in a messy, chaotic system that has somehow worked. But what I don’t have are enough backups, and the constant worry of a drive failing or getting lost has always nagged at me.
Until recently, I’d never really touched a Panasonic LUMIX camera. I’ve been a Sony shooter for years, and like a lot of creators juggling full-time jobs and side projects, I didn’t have the time or headspace to add a whole new system to the mix.
As smartphones have made photography more accessible than ever, a small Japanese company is taking a radically different approach to capturing memories. The Kyu camera, launched in Japan in late 2024 and now available for pre-order in the U.S., wants to challenge our relationship with digital memories through an intriguingly restrictive design philosophy.
When I mentioned to friends and family that I was heading to Iraq, the reactions were a mix of surprise and concern. Questions like, “Is it safe?” and “Why Iraq?” were common. But as a photographer driven by curiosity and a desire to capture unique experiences, I saw Iraq as an opportunity to explore a land rich in history, culture, and resilience.