There are moments when a simple plate becomes more than just food.
This was one of them.
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 speaks for itself. Colors, textures, balance… and yes, — a touch of peanuts on top. Everything felt effortless.
Just good food, shared together, with the ocean air coming in and a margarita in hand. No need to complicate anything. Moments like this remind me that food is not just about what we eat, but about where we are, who we share it with, and how we feel.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
If this story resonated with you, this journey continues beyond this page. You can follow the journey on Instagram.
Spirito Creativo 