Our photography staffers traveled everywhere from small towns to big cities, from beaches to grocery stores over winter break this season.
Josh Rehders, Photography Director
I spent my winter break on the south island of New Zealand with some family and had the opportunity to visit Queenstown, Milford Sound, Lake Wanaka and the Fox Glacier. It was sunny and warm in most of New Zealand during their summer, a welcome change after the cool weather in Nashville before break.
Abby Hoelscher, Deputy Photography Director
I spent the first part of my winter break bundling up with high school friends in my hometown of St. Louis and bouncing between visiting coffee shops, painting pottery and crocheting in my own living room with Gilmore Girls on the TV. I then flew with my family to Naples, Fla. to celebrate Christmas! We spent the holiday reading and taking pictures on the semi-warm beach shortly before returning home and then heading off in our separate directions for the spring semester.
Ophelia Lu, Deputy Photography Director
This winter break, I spent a week in Hawaii stargazing, hiking and driving. The natural landscape was mesmerizing, and I couldn’t help but capture these beautiful views. After the trip to Hawaii, I went back home to Los Angeles and photographed some typical beach pictures. It was a restful break, and I had the chance to meet many of my friends at home.
Barrie Barto, Former Photography Director
Like most winter breaks with my family, I spent this time off from school with a camera in hand tracking down birds in the backwaters of the South Carolina shore. While I like looking for herons, eagles and kingfishers that soar above, my brother and dad like finding small colorful birds that hide in bushes. One day we saw seven eagles above us on the boat. It was nice to have this downtime before going abroad!
Isabella Bautista, Deputy Life Editor
My winter break was filled with ventures to old favorite spots and new places. I drove with a few friends to Bake Oven Knob, a lookout spot an hour away from my hometown, to watch the sunset. Next, I spent New Year’s Eve in Ocean City, Md., starting the day with a leisurely stroll down the boardwalk and ending it by watching the Times Square ball drop on TV. Finally, I traveled to Hoboken, N.J., to check out the view from the pier and admire New York City from afar.
George Albu, Staff Photographer
While I have grown fond of Nashville in the past few months, I find that the classic small-town charm in my hometown of Auburn, Ga., elevates the “magic” of Christmas beyond what any large city could. It’s comforting to see the local grocer my family has trusted for over a decade putting up his Christmas decorations. You would likely find bolder decorations in even a Walmart, but that is not what brings the charm of Christmas. The charm of Christmas comes from seeing the meek decorations lining a store where the employees immigrated from the same region as your parents, a sense of joy as you celebrate Christmas with the grocer’s family. It is this sense of peace and cultural familiarity that I believe elevates the feeling of Christmas within me beyond what a city like Nashville could.
Lyton Mhlanga, Staff Photographer
At the onset of the new year, I took a trip to the nation’s capital of Washington. Upon arrival, I was itching to start my expedition to this amazing city. In appreciation of its architecture, I made sure to capture every single moment of my time. I enjoyed a wide variety of dishes and cuisines, explored the various monuments and museums in the area and delved deeper into African American History and Culture at the famous “Blacksonian.”
Royce Yang, Staff Photographer
This winter break took me to the city of Xiamen in southeastern China, where I enjoyed the company of my extended family members and some spectacular sights. After a 55-hour trip going the wrong way around the planet, I was very glad to take a break among a plethora of dynamic contrasts and pleasant encounters in this captivating city.
