Two women smiling and hugging at a table during a joyful reunion
We always laughed like this.

Out of nowhere

Last night, something unexpected happened.

Something strange — one of those things you can’t really explain.

It all started with a comment on Facebook,
under a post in a group.

A group where, by the way,
it would have been almost impossible for her to be.

She was looking for a place —
but in Turkey, not here in Australia.

And in the middle of all this…
my message appeared,
the one where I was looking for a room
on in a group called “Cairns Community.

That’s how she saw me
and thought about writing to me.

At first, when I saw her like on my post,
I thought it might be a scam.

Like… someone had somehow gotten into my mind,
knowing that I still thought about her sometimes,
created a fake profile
and liked my post.

I actually laughed at the thought.

Then I thought:
“you like my post but don’t even write anything?”

After seven years,
at least say a something.

For her too, it felt strange.
So strange that she hesitated.

“This is too weird… maybe I should text her.”
Then she changed her mind.
Then went back… and wrote anyway.

The funny thing is that I also,
when I saw her name,
didn’t know whether to text her or not.

And when I finally decide to do it,
I opened Messenger…

and I realized she had already written to me.

Two messages.

I hadn’t received any notification.
And I probably never would have.

Because we weren’t friends.

And I would have never found out
if I hadn’t opened that chat,
right in that moment.

We started texting,
messages, voice notes… one after the other.

As if there was so much to say,
all at once.

And at the same time,
we were laughing like crazy
at how absurd all of this was.

Two women smiling and hugging at a table during a joyful reunion
We always laughed like this.
Woman laughing with a playful toy on her head, capturing a spontaneous funny moment
Nothing made sense… and that’s why it was perfect.

Then at some point,
we decided to have a video call.

And that changed everything.

I let my hair down,
and showed her my white hair.

It was like saying:
This is me now.

It was one of those friendships you don’t forget
because it was strong.

Two women hugging at home, sharing a warm and intimate friendship moment
Some connections never really leave

And the ending was just as strong —
sudden, hard.

At the time, I didn’t understand it.
And maybe I still don’t.

For her, though, the reason was clear.
She thought I hadn’t understood the real problem.

I thought about her many times over the years.

But for one reason or another —
or maybe for no reason at all —
our friendship had come to an end.

I was also doing the math.

She came to live with me in 2019.
Now it’s 2026.

Seven years.

It’s a cycle.

A lot of time has passed,
and I’m not the same person anymore.

I’m not even sure I want to go back there.

I told her, while we were talking about the past,
that it doesn’t really matter to me.


What matters… is now.

It doesn’t matter where we are in the world.
Just knowing that this friendship existed
still brings a smile… and a laugh.

— her words

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A Plate Full of Colors

Thai beef salad

There are moments when a simple plate becomes more than just food.


This was one of those moments.

I was near Sydney, in Curl Curl Beach, at my niece Vanessa’s place.

Her partner loves cooking — and I couldn’t help thinking how lucky she is to have him in the kitchen.
This dish said everything.
Colors, textures, balance… and
a touch of peanuts on top.

Everything felt effortless.



Just good food,
shared together,
with ocean air
and a margarita in hand.

No need to complicate anything.

Moments like this remind me:
food is not just what we eat,
but where we are,
who we share it with,
and how it feels.



Two women laughing and sharing a drink with ocean view at Curl Curl Beach

And sometimes, that’s more than enough.

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by Categories: expression

Jaye — The Story Behind the Experience

This space holds raw and honest images. Some contain artistic nudity. Enter with an open mind.

When we feel something deeply, we could follow it — even when we don’t know how.

If you feel disconnected, go back to nature.

She reminds you where you come from.

And where you belong.

I didn’t know what to expect, and part of me was afraid.
I didn’t know what I was doing — it was just an idea.

I had been in Australia for just over a year when I was struck by the richness of flora and fauna in this place: Cairns, Queensland.

Then the idea came: to find someone willing to be photographed in the middle of this untouched nature, and to see if — and how — the two beings would connect.

Woman immersed in dense forest vegetation, surrounded by greenery
Woman standing in forest with arms open, surrounded by trees and greenery

I had no doubt they would find each other…
but I wanted to be there, to witness that meeting.

One of the answers to this idea came “by chance” during my working hours at Rusty’s Market. It’s an open-air market, a place where people cross paths, where stories begin.

One day, a regular customer approached the bar. There was something in her eyes I couldn’t ignore

Close-up of a woman with a deep, focused gaze surrounded by nature
Close-up of woman with soft expression, focusing inward in a natural setting

As we got to know each other better, I asked her if she would like to be photographed — I had a project in mind.

I was excited because I had found someone, but I was also scared.
I was about to use a professional camera I barely knew how to handle.

But the truth is… it wasn’t just my first time.
It was hers too.

Woman walking through forest vegetation, moving forward among plants
Woman in forest with arms extended, expressing intense emotion

Neither of us had done anything like this before.
And maybe that’s exactly what made it so real.

There was no pressure, no expectations — just the desire to explore, to feel, to create something together.

We stepped into it side by side.

We first went to the Botanic Garden, and then to Goomboora Park — her idea.

Woman walking through shallow water in a natural forest environment
Woman sitting on tree roots, grounded in a natural forest environment

Through the images, and through what I felt while being there,
I witnessed something unfold:

the connection between Jaye and Mother Nature becoming more and more present, more and more alive.

But it wasn’t just about what I saw.

It was about what we experienced together.

It was a shared journey — something we entered without knowing where it would lead,
guided only by curiosity, trust, and a quiet sense of excitement.

Woman floating in water, partially submerged, surrounded by dark reflections
Close-up of woman with eyes closed, expressing calm and inner presence

That was the most beautiful gift I could receive.

It showed me that when we feel something deeply, we should follow it —
even when we don’t know how.

My gratitude for Jaye, for her presence and her openness,
is what made me want to give this experience a voice,
instead of leaving it silently stored on a hard drive.

My invitation is simple:when you feel disconnected, go back to nature —
she knows how to hold you.

Woman standing in water with arms open, embracing nature in a forest setting
Feel the emotion behind this story
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Woman at a bus stop at night holding a camera, street photography portrait.

“Action generates inspiration” — this phrase always helps me.

(I’ll tell you why later…)

Stopping in life is important — to take stock of where we are, or simply to be still.

But action is also part of the journey.

It reveals new parts of ourselves.

And every step contributes to building the pieces of our soul – slowly forming the picture — the one that feels right for us.

Woman at a bus stop at night holding a camera, street photography portrait.

What’s the story of this picture?

I left in the evening to test my new camera when I saw you.

I took a few shots.

We exchanged contacts and a few days later I sent you some messages.

One of those messages stayed with me:


As soon as I saw you — your style, your face — I felt the urge to ask if I could take a picture of you.
But I was afraid of your answer, and it seemed a bit crazy…

So I walked past you for a few meters.

Then I stopped.

I turned back towards you and thought,

“Should I ask her or not?”

I stood there for a moment.

FROZEN.

Then I told myself:

“Okay, at worst, she’ll say no — let’s try.”

Believe me, I was embarrassed and excited.

I love street photography, but I always struggle with the first approach.

And when you said “yes”, I was so happy.

You were my first.


“Action generates inspiration and Celeste was my inspiration.”

But the FIRST thing I asked her was:

“What’s your dream? What do you truly desire in this moment, because I believe sharing is part of who we are and can be a light for everyone”.
This was her answer:

“I guess the only thing I can really think of right now is just that I’m trying to find where I really belong in life, literally and figuratively.“

Her words stayed with me.

Because the truth is — she’s not alone.

Many of us are trying to find where we truly belong, both in the world and within ourselves.

In her desire, I saw my own.

That’s the beauty of sharing: it reminds us that we’re all connected, walking different paths toward the same feeling of “home.”

Wherever that may be — outside or deep within — I truly hope she finds it.

And maybe, in some way, we’re all helping each other get there.

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Bush stone-curlew standing on a path in Australia, with a second bird blurred in the background

BUSH STONE-CURLEW


Here in Australia,
it’s the animals that truly reign.

They are everywhere.

A little strange.
Almost awkward.
And yet, impossible to ignore.

Sometimes they stop and just
look at you – completely still,
as if trying to understand who you are.


Other times,
they come close…
then disappear.

Once, I walked a little too close
to where their chicks were.

A sharp sound.
Wings opening right in front of me.

A clear message.

And then, their eyes —
so large, so bright, almost hypnotic.

Those thin legs,
holding a delicate, watchful body.

Strange, yes.
But also… fascinating.

Bush stone-curlew standing in the Australian forest, surrounded by green vegetation

Just a small encounter on the Esplanade — Cairns.

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Sydney New Year fireworks over Sydney Harbour Australia

NEW YEAR’S EVE 2023 – 2024

Nothing happens by chance.

That night proved it.

We had planned everything —
where to go, where to stand,
how to make sure we wouldn’t miss the fireworks.

Sydney gets crazy on New Year’s Eve.
People arrive early,
stay in the same spot for hours,
just to keep their place.

And then… something unexpected.

The night before,
I received a message.

Two free tickets.
A completely different view.

Just like that.

We found ourselves at Taronga Zoo,
watching the fireworks from a place
we hadn’t even imagined.

The city in front of us,
the water full of boats,
lights everywhere.

And then the sky.

Exploding.

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