They say things happen for a reason. I strongly believe in this and here’s why:
5 years ago this July I took a trip to Costa Rica in an attempt to clear my head and explore the world. I knew this trip would be a once in a lifetime opportunity so I purchased my first Nikon DSLR (Nikon D40) in an attempt to capture everything from monkeys to memories. Buying that D40 felt HUGE, both financially ($800 felt like a hit then) and in responsibility. I went from a simple point ‘n shoot to switching lenses, charging special batteries and a fancy waterproof bag to carry everything in. I had no idea what I was doing, but the guy at the sales desk assured me it was a good investment for someone who likes to take great photos.
5 years later, almost to the day, I’m spring cleaning my basement and I find my first external hard drive. It’s a mix of excitement and the curiosity of seeing just how far I’ve come. It’s essentially a time capsule for me.
As soon as I plug it in, I see first photos of my trip to Costa Rica, my first wedding workshop and the first wedding I ever shot. Talk about time travel!
Anyway, I guess I owe my entire wedding photography career to Costa Rica. Certainly a trip I’ll never forget both for the scenery and because it tossed me in the photography world kicking and screaming. Despite not knowing a thing about my DSLR, I think I managed to get a few shots that I’m still proud of. So, I’ve quickly re-edited them to share them with you and maybe…. just maybe a part of me is hoping that by sharing these photos it’ll bring me back to these places again. So, just putting it out there, if you are reading this and are getting married in Costa Rica, let’s talk?
Where these are taken:
Hotel Linda Vista at Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna
Manuel Antonio National Park, near Quepos, Puntarenas
La Colina Lodge, Monteverde Costa Rica, near Puntarenas
and zip lining in the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
As a side note:
Backpacking in Costa Rica can be one of the most frightening and enlightening experiences! You’ll encounter strange bus schedules, large creepy bugs and locals who openly travel with large knives. You’ll go to bed that night wishing you were home safe. Then, you’ll wake up the next morning to a volcano and decide to stay.
Enjoy!
