ADELA PAREDES
65
My favorite aspect of photography is the feeling and mood behind the images. This year we got new cameras and learned advanced functions that gave me more control in my picture making. This was challenging but I saw my photography improve. My cousin Jessy, who has a sales website, even used one of my photos as advertising.
One of my most successful photos this year was of my prayer corner. I have always loved small objects. The table is full of small gifts given to me by my friends for my journey from Ecuador to the U.S. in 2001. Photos like this one have helped me to be more mindful and present.
I work as a homecare attendant, and my favorite part of the day is when I walk to and from work through Joyce Kilmer Park. I love to sit on the wooden bench and take photos of the beautiful greenery around me.
As I have seen my photographic skills improve, I am thankful to God, my teachers, and my classmates for being an amazing team that have helped me with my personal growth.
“Little Corner of Prayer:” a place where I find my happiness, sadness, and where I talk with God to strengthen myself. Happiness for every new day I wake up and sadness for not having my children, who I love, but with the hope that we are together spiritually. These are collections of gifts different people have given me to secure my faith and to love my neighbor. Bronx, NY. 2020.
Remembering Christmas and the birth of baby Jesus. I teach Spanish grammar to recent immigrants, and we didn’t have many presents to give to our students. But I am sure the hearts of my students and mine were present that day to rejoice. There was happiness in the St. Jerome H.A.N.D.S. Community Center. Bronx, NY. December, 2020.