"There is no intensity of love or feeling that does not involve the risk of crippling hurt. It is a duty to take this risk, to love and feel without defense or reserve.” – William S. Burroughs
We were invited to dinner by Tuan and Maria the night before their esession. Either to calm their nerves or to get to know us better. Nonetheless, we talked and laughed over Korean BBQ and some good red wine. Listening to Maria and Tuan recall their past was amusing. Each person had their own version of the story to tell. Despite Tuan’s version being a little bit more on the comedic side, you could still see the sincerity in his eyes. But what was profound and blindingly clear when listening to them talk about their love story, is that they love each other with the utmost intent. They are two like-minded individuals willing to take risks for the betterment of the relationship. And the passion and eagerness that they share to weave their own path to achieve their goals has finally led them to this very moment. They are now engaged to be married. Although Tuan’s marriage proposal was a little bit unorthodox, seeing that there is no engagement ring, that aspect of their relationship is of little importance. Their happiness lies on the fact that their newly bought house will soon become a home that they build their past, present and future on.
Sitting at the dinner table, I wondered where would I be now if I had I not taken the risk of becoming a photographer? The chances of failing, getting rejected by your peers or even being criticized is always there. But just like a baby learning to walk, or a boy chasing the girl of his dreams, you just have to leave it to faith and just take the leap. True success is never handed to you, one must grow and learn from the experiences,good or bad, that is what life is all about. The way I see it, this engagement session is bigger than the photographs that were shot. Because if none of us took the risks we were suppose to take, whether it was for love or a new career path, we wouldn’t be here sitting at the table celebrating a new chapter in their lives, over Korean BBQ and some good red wine.
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out to others is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas, your dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk despair.
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken,
because the greatest hazard in life is to do nothing.
The person who risks nothing,
does nothing, has nothing, and is nothing.
They may avoid suffering and sorrow,
but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live.
Chained by their attitudes, they are a slave,
they forfeited their freedom.
Only the person who risks can be free.
-Author Unknown
