Courage

The most courageous thing I have ever done in my life happened a few years ago. I was 24 years old, and I wanted to be an Electrical Engineer, I was in the 10th semesters and finishing my thesis. My whole family had great expectations for my future as a professional. They always said that i was very smart and that I would have a bright future as an engineer. As a matter of fact, I come from a family of engineers. My father is a Mechanical Engineer, my mother is a Mechanical Engineer and my brother is a Mechanical Engineer, so they expected that I would become an engineer too.

The Way. © Carlos Ocando.

At that moment I felt empty and lost. I didn’t like my work during my internship, and I felt that I would have to work on something that I didn’t enjoy or like. During that time I started to read several inspirational books, one quote from a Wayne Dyer’s book really moved me. It said: “Don’t die with your music still in you”, I also felt very inspired by the Conversations with God series written by Neale Donald Walsh.

Infinite. @ Carlos Ocando.

I became inspired to focus my energy, thoughts, and efforts on becoming what I really wanted to be and do. Recently my heart felt moved by nature, art and photography. So I decided to take the most scary and risky thing I have ever done in my life. I decided to become a Professional Fine Art Photographer. Every body was against me at the beginning, I felt a lot of pressure and stress, but with the support of my now wife I kept going.

Gift. @ Carlos Ocando.

I started to buy books, tutorials and got my hand in every photography book I could find. I started to work as a photographer for a magazine covering small events,  and participated in some photography contests with photos of nature. Eventually I won the respect of a few master photographers, and one of them offered me the opportunity to work with him and to teach me how to accomplish my goal. Since then I have a number of awards, and I’m represented by some galleries including in NYC. Everyday I thank God for the gift of my life and that I have had the courage to make that decision and be who I am today. If you have an idea, a dream or something that you want to do, and feel that is important for you don’t abandon it. Follow your heart and your bliss and don’t the naysayers to make you give up. You can do it my friend, YOU CAN DO IT…

Carlos

Just Be…

Most photographers worry too much about what people may think about their work, sometimes they try so hard to please everyone that they stop having fun and deviate from the pleasures of photography. This of course happened to me too, asking everyone what they think about my work, uploading to 500px, flickr, more likes please!, more likes!.

Walking around Houston Museum District. ” © Carlos Ocando.

The biggest step you can make as a creative person is being yourself, enjoy what you do, everything you do and explore should be centered in your vision, your message, your passion. I prefer to make horrible, boring technically wrong photos but have fun doing it, and with a purpose in my hearth and mind. Even go beyond that and let your awareness become an arrow traveling trough an space of bliss and joy directly to your goals.

Keep your eyes open, there is always something to be seen. © Carlos Ocando.

There will always be someone who will criticize your creations, don’t take it personal, their opinions talk more about them than about you. Be free, fly, act as there was no one looking what you are doing, then realize that you are dancing like a stupid hunting butterflies with your lens and other crazy stuff and having a great time, do it, if being you means doing “inappropriate things” DO IT (as long you don’t hurt anyone or yourself).

Sometimes in the city you can find some interesting ways to explore nature. © Carlos Ocando. 

As always be free, happy, funny, “stupid” and unique.

Carlos “The stupid nature lover/hubby/dancer/crazy/metalhead”

Creativity

Self-portrait of a nature lover.

Creativity is the energy that moves the designer, the motivation of the inventor and the muse of the artist, we all are involved in creative endeavors in one way or the other, even most scientist use their creative mind to come out with solutions for our problems and solve the mysteries of the universe. Albert Einstein was the one who said “Imagination is more important than knowledge” I think he was right, imagination is creativity’s fuel.

Imagination can take you beyond reality into the realm of dreams.

Let yourself go beyond fear of making a mistake or rejection, the more you allow yourself to be in the moment, and connect with your heart the more creative you will be. Creativity happens when there is a holy connection between your mind and your soul, that’s why we feel so good when we are creating, and from that connection we get to meet one of the most important energies in the universe.

“Only passions, great passions can elevate the soul to great things”. Denis Diderot

Passion is the greatest and most beautiful outcome from being creative, this energy will propel you into create more and more, that’s why creative people is so passionate about what they do. So be creative, enjoy the process of creating, imagining and exploring, and as always have fun!.

Carlos