Edmund Velasco 5/13/18 Edmund Velasco 5/13/18

"A Home Away From Home"

[LIFE]

“There are many things that this life can teach you. But one of the greatest lessons we can learn is to love. For if we can learn this, we can learn what it feels like to live life knowing that you always have a place in this world.”

A few hours ago, my mother landed in a home away from home, a place where her mother and father raised her in a way that has shaped who she is today. Without shame, it does feel a tad empty in this house while my father and I hold down the fort during her well-deserved vacation. But the sense of warmth she has created still remains in the air, for I know that her love is still with me, no matter where she is.

Mom, I want to wish you a wonderful Mother’s Day in the home and sights of your own youth. I also want to thank you again, Mom, for so many things that a simple message cannot convey. Thank you for your continued support in my endeavors to touch people’s lives the way that you have in your time as a nurse. Thank you for teaching me to brave through any dark unknowns, for there is always a light to guide me. Thank you for teaching me of unconditional patience, for there we never know what a person can be going through at any time. And Mom, thank you for teaching me to love and smile, for the love you have shown and the smile you carry inspire me to share my own love and smile to the people that I come across in my life.

Mom. You are loved by many and recognized by the countless people you have touched in your blessed years. You are a caring mother of two, a wonderful wife to our equally amazing father, and an inspiration to my journey in life. I hope that the Philippines treats you well, for I can see the light of that radiant smile from all the way here. I love you.

Happy Mother’s Day, to all the mothers and motherly figures in the past, the present and those to be.

Edmund Velasco 5/9/18 Edmund Velasco 5/9/18

//05.09.2018// "Take A Breath"

"Take a step out of your mountain of worries and take a deep breath. Don't create these walls you claim to be trapped behind, and see that there is much more than what is right in front of you. Remember, young one. This too, shall come to pass."

[OTS // SCHOOL]

"Take a step out of your mountain of worries and take a deep breath. Don't create these walls you claim to be trapped behind, and see that there is much more than what is right in front of you."

"Remember, young one. This too, shall come to pass."

These past few days have been a little hectic, as I dive into the depths of my library of notes and my worn down study guides with a coffee dutifully at the ready. As I studied in the Union here at Sac State, I looked up at the window and noticed the inviting blue sky and the soft clouds slowly drifting through with the warm breeze, and I thought to myself, "It's a shame it's dead week, I really want to go out there." But then after a few idle moments, I felt that it was an even greater shame not to actually go out there and do it. So I decided to pack up my things, and take that walk out and meet that summer vibe that's been slowly peeking through the cracks of spring.

I made my way over to the Guy West Bridge and looked out into the American River, and with a deep breath, I came to realize that there's no need to get into such a rut over content that I've been dutifully committing to mind. "Confidence. You got this. Everything, everything is going to be alright." Warm winds gently greeted me as I looked up and noticed the wonderful sunset sending it's last regard for the day. And then this wonderful moment happened that made this little adventure all worth it.

To everyone out there grinding through finals, making their way to graduation podiums, or even working to upgrade that Top Ramen on their table to something better, I wish you all the best of luck and skill. Take that moment and step outside of the monotony of your work, and just remember: "You got this, and all this hard work is going to pay off." Much love.

Edmund Velasco 4/29/18 Edmund Velasco 4/29/18

//04.29.2018// "Yosemite Falls"

“The roads of travel leave me in a unique state of mind. I keep walking forward, taking in the sights of the unknown around me, my eyes and mind ecstatic with a rush of discovery. But I take a moment and stand still, reflecting on the memories of the past when I was much younger, traversing the same feeling of adventure and discovery with my mom, my father, my sister, my family. As I admire Yosemite Falls, reminiscing the sense of discovery of fond memories with my family, small droplets fall upon my face and the lens of my camera. Instinctively, I go to grab my small cloth and wipe my face and lens, and as I look up, I see a sight that takes me right back to those feelings of discovery and love from so many years ago.”

[TRAVEL]

It would be wrong for me to tell you that I do not miss the days when I would be able to travel carefree with my family as a toddler and child. I was so fascinated by the seemingly vast white fields of a Nevada morning on a trip to Reno, so exhilarated to visit family in the sunny oasis of Los Angeles and the sheer amazement of flying in an airplane to see long missed family in the Philippines. But as times change and I grow older, my responsibilities come to hinder the option to freely walk out that door and make that next adventure possible without stopping to consider the drawbacks. So every chance I take, I want to relive those seemingly fleeting moments of my youth, even if it is in the solitude of my own volition.

"Families are built upon memories of times spent together. For a life can live through a myriad of experiences, but the ones spent with love and joy are the ones that stand the test of time."

In my exploration of the Yosemite Falls, I was amazed at the sheer size of the massive waterfall, flowing gracefully in front of me as a calm mist filled the air. I decided to set up my camera on a tripod and attempt to capture the sight, and as I went to clean my lens and begin, I came across a family that was also visiting. A father walked assertively with his young son on his shoulders. Amazement filled the young one's eyes as he looked at the massive Yosemite Falls, and his father made his way forward through the masses of visitors lined up to capture their take on the beautiful falls. Soon, the mother and daughter joined up with them and together they made their way towards a large tree that was re-purposed as the "photo spot" in other common tourist spots. However, watching this sight, seeing the joy in the parent's faces as their kids were looking out to the waterfall, witnessing the sense of amazement in the children's eyes; it was a sight that made me reminisce about the times when I was in the young ones shoes, sitting on my dad's shoulders traveling with my mother and sister so many years ago.

To Mariel, it was a blessing to have met you and your wonderful family. While I offered to be the person to take your photo with your phone as anyone would to travelers abroad, I am thankful for that small trip down memory lane. I am thankful for the opportunity to capture an image of you and your family as you all create memories together, and I am grateful to offer my skills to a chance encounter that warmed my heart. Much love to you guys, and special thanks for showing your young ones the beauty of the world around them.

"Thank you for a flashback of times from a youthful me, and for reminding me of what I would want to be like in future."

#Yosemite #YosemiteNationalPark #California #Life #Love #Reflection #Nature #Family#Storytelling #Photography #Photographer #PhotographyIsLife #MonoArt #Monochrome #BlackAndWhite #Insta_BW #MoodyPorts #JustGoShoot #AGameOfTones #PursuitOfPortraits #Click_Vision #Canon_Photos #2InstagoodPortraitLove #ArtofVisuals #BleachMyFilm #CreateCommune #Portrait #SacramentoPhotographer #EdmundVelascoPhoto #Cubmundo

Edmund Velasco 4/22/18 Edmund Velasco 4/22/18

//04.21.2018// "What's My Age Again"

"The world used to seem so large when we were younger, as the things that we used to look up to seemed so far away, so out of reach. But as I grow older, the world doesn't grow smaller, I just become closer to reaching my dreams."

*"I've always provided myself on seeing through the roughest of matters with the same smile on my face that I remember from my childhood..."*

[LIFE]

- Idle Thoughts While Driving

This past year has been a one of very great introspective growth. More and more responsibilities fill up my day to day life, and these times continue to challenge me to keep pushing towards the person I want to become. But rather than letting the workload of school, friends, family and personal desires overwhelm me, I have been blessed to say that I have the constant support of many people in these fields to guide me through the murky unknown, all with a smile on my face.

I've always prided myself on seeing through the roughest of matters with the same smile on my face that I remember from childhood, but I've come to learn that a lot of the reason I can do so is that of the people that I have in my life. This weekend has been amazing, and I would like to take this time to thank everyone that reached out to me, either via social media, text messages, calls, and in person. I'm inspired by the enormous amount of kindness and love, passion and talent, and compassion and knowledge that I experience every day from my co-workers, my colleagues, my family, and my friends. As I continue my education and open my opportunities, I am forever thankful all of these pillars that create this foundation that I stand on, to reach closer to those dreams I had when I was so young. Thank you again to everyone that sent me their love on this birthday weekend, and I hope to offer the same light to everyone that has assisted me through my 23 years.

Thanks again to @doylestreet for the wonderful smoked salmon scramble and the overall good vibes from your team, and thanks to Reynaldo of @davesbarbershop_eg97 for giving me that clean cut that made me feel that much better with my look.