What I've learned from my trip to Colombia | Vancouver Pet Photography

I know you may be asking yourself what does my trip to Colombia has to do with pet photography? I’m not a travel blogger by any means so that’s not the point of this blog right? just bear with me as I explain myself.

I just spent the last 10 days in Bogotá, Colombia. For those who don’t know I am originally from Venezuela (just the next door neighbour) so I felt some similarities right away when I got there. It was a bit chaotic I’m not going to deny it, but it has that vibe that only big cities can offer and I absolutely loved it!

Here is an awesome view of the City from the Monserrate Mountain

So the first thing I learned from my trip was how coming from a big city has a big impact on my work as a photographer. Don’t get me wrong I love nature! but I also feel very inspired by urban sceneries! and Bogota, as my city town Caracas, offers a perfect blend of modern and colonial architecture.

One of my favourite days was when we made a trip to the small town of Zipaquirá which is to the north of Bogotá. Our first stop was at the independence square, a beautiful place surrounded by Spanish colonial buildings and an old cathedral.

As I was taking pictures, all I could think was how cool it would be to have a session with a dog in that place… because every place looks better with a dog right? and just in that moment I got surprised by a stray dog that not only posed for me, but also followed us around during day. We called him “Negrito”, he was a sweetheart.

Coming from a place where stray dogs are a real issue, I truly believe that no animal should be turned away, and help shouldn’t be limited to our own town or even country, especially with so many animals needing help and rescue, that's why working together with animal shelters and rescues is one of my core values and something very close to my heart ❤️

All the different countries in Latin America have a tremendous variety of cultural and ethnical backgrounds, but they all have something in common and that’s COLOUR! you can see colours everywhere, from nature to architecture… I guess that’s why I also love vibrant pops of colours in my images!

This trip was an awesome way to reconnect with my culture, feel proud of all my heritage has to offer and understand how it has an big influence in the way I want to be perceived not only as a human being but as a business owner and artist. It begins with the way we value family and our unconditional love for one another. It's extended into our language, our history, the food we eat, the music we dance and all the small details that make us who we are.

If you haven’t experience Latin America yet, don’t wait! you won’t regret going there.