Flor Visits Universal Orlando Resort
There’s something special about photographing the person you love in a place that feels like magic. Flor and I recently visited Universal Orlando Resort with one goal in mind: to finally see every part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We’ve both been fans of the saga for years. I still remember reading the first book and getting completely pulled into that universe. Walking through Diagon Alley, exploring Hogsmeade, and boarding the Hogwarts Express felt like a childhood dream finally coming to life. This time, I experienced it through my camera and Flor’s reactions.
As a photographer, I couldn’t help but document every piece of it. I brought along my Nikon Zf with a 28mm lens and used a PolarPro Everyday filter for that extra bit of magic. The Zf has quickly become my go-to for travel and everyday moments. It’s small, light, and easy to carry, which makes it perfect for long days exploring a theme park with my wife. The 28mm focal length was ideal for this kind of trip. It allowed me to shoot wide scenes, close moments, and spontaneous frames without ever switching lenses. The PolarPro filter added a softness and depth to the colors that paired perfectly with the warm light and theme park atmosphere.
Most of the time, I edit my photos to reflect the film tones I’ve always loved, inspired by Kodak Portra 400 and Ektar. I want the images to feel nostalgic, honest, and timeless. The goal has never been to follow trends but to preserve the mood and emotion of a moment. I’m planning to make a video soon about how I edit travel and documentary-style photos like these. I’ll likely post it over on my Patreon, where I’m starting to share more behind-the-scenes content, photo breakdowns, and inspiration for photographers.
One thing I always come back to is how important it is to print your memories. We take so many photos now, but most of them live and die on a phone or a hard drive. I still print almost everything. I use a small Canon printer and keep our prints in boxes. I love flipping through them at random and remembering little things from our travels and our everyday life together. Call me nostalgic, but having those tangible pieces of memory means something.
This trip wasn’t just a vacation. It was about sharing an experience with my wife, capturing the little in-between moments. A look, a laugh, or the way the light hit her face as she looked around in awe. That’s why I do what I do. Photography, for me, is a way of holding on to those fleeting moments before they pass.
If you’re curious about how I shoot, how I edit, or what gear I rely on for travel and documentary photography, I’ll be sharing more on Patreon soon. And if you’re also a Harry Potter fan, trust me, the parks are worth the visit.
Some trips are about the destination, but the ones that matter most are about who you share them with and the stories you bring home.
