A Little Slice of Paradise

There are places that stay with you. For me, South Florida is one of them.

I don't really know exactly when it happened, but somewhere along the way I fell in love with Miami. Maybe it's the light, the colors, or that incredible, vibrant green everywhere you look. Something I don't get living in Arizona. Or maybe it's simply the feeling I get when I step outside after arriving.

Warm air. Palm trees. The smell of the ocean. Turquoise water and white sand. That touch of humidity on your skin, and suddenly, my sinuses seem to open up. It's a little thing, but I love it. I'm somewhere completely different, and I can feel it.

I love Miami for its energy. The architecture, the culture, the music, the food, the people. I love wandering through the streets with no particular destination, taking my time and just looking around. Sometimes I'll find myself walking through a neighborhood and think, this could be a scene from Miami Vice. And just like that, the unmistakable sounds of the '80s start playing in my head. I've always loved music, especially from that era, and somehow Miami brings all those memories, sounds and images together. It's a little nostalgic, a little cinematic, and it just makes me smile.

And then there is Key Biscayne. The water, the beaches, the palm trees swaying in the breeze. There's something about being there that makes me slow down. Sometimes I just want to sit, look out over the water and take it all in. No rush, no particular plans. Just enjoying the moment and feeling lucky to be there.

Of course, photography is a big part of why I keep coming back. South Florida has a wonderful creative scene, with photographers, models and all kinds of interesting people. There's always something happening. I'll fly in for a shoot, assist with a workshop, work with models, or spend time creating images with people I've met along the way. Sometimes the days are long and busy. Other times, things are more relaxed, leaving room to catch up with friends, explore or simply enjoy being there.

And I love that combination.

I get to do what I've been doing for decades and still enjoy so much. I get to work with people, exchange ideas, learn something new, create photographs and spend time with friends. And when the work is done, I'm right there in Miami, surrounded by everything I enjoy about the place.

I've made some photographs in South Florida that I'm really happy with. But the pictures are only part of what I bring home. It's the conversations, the laughter, the people, the little moments between shoots, the places we end up going and the memories that stay with me long after the trip is over. That's what makes these visits special. It's not just about what I do while I'm there. It's also about how I feel when I'm there.

Of course, as much as I love Florida, I don't think I could live there for too long. I would miss the mountains and the hills. I grew up surrounded by that kind of landscape, and I think I need it more than I sometimes realize. I like looking toward the horizon and seeing the land rise, the changing shapes of the mountains and the sense of space they give me. Maybe that's part of the reason I enjoy visiting South Florida so much. It's a different world from the one I call home. And maybe it's nice to have both.

I'll be heading back again this season. Maybe once or twice, perhaps even more. I'm already looking forward to it. The thought of stepping off the plane, feeling that warm air, seeing all that green and meeting up with friends again makes me happy. And I know that somewhere along the way, I'll start missing home, too.

I guess that's part of it. You can love a place, look forward to returning and enjoy every minute you're there, while still knowing there's somewhere else you belong.

For me, South Florida is one of those places I never seem to get tired of visiting.

A little slice of paradise, just a flight away.