I came to New Zealand 10 years ago from the Philippines. That was a difficult time. I spoke very little English and it was hard to make friends at school.
I started photography on a trip to Tokyo last November. My friend was taking photos and he suggested I get a camera. I started with touristy photos. Then I found out about street photography and started shooting people. I was getting really cool pictures that I loved. It makes me feel something when I look at them later. It can be sad or happy or a range of emotions. Sometimes there’s comedy in it, like a juxtaposition, symmetries or whatever. And I like to document what’s going on.
Through my photography I’ve also got to know people in Christchurch. There’s some cool people I now know from the shops, buskers, people from the trams. The regulars, I guess. I get very focussed on my hobbies. At the moment I’m also into rock climbing.
I believe in live and let live. I encourage others to do whatever they want, as long as they’re not harming anyone else. Live your life now. Just as I’m living mine.