Photography is a skill and a passion that I have formally developed later in life. As far as I can allow my inner eye to look back at my nomadic childhood—from Congo, to my teenage years in Gabon, and to the U.S., what remains with me through time, are the vibrant colorful hues and shadows of places and faces, some are long gone, but they forever remain in my memory. Each face tells a story, marks a time and meaning in my life.
My love for photography was awakened by the birth of my first son. His face, his expressions, his smiles, awakened something deep inside of me. Although the nomadic ghosts are long gone, my son’s face was the mirror to my soul, reflecting back missing photographs from the incomplete family album snatched by endless travels of life’s uncertainty. He was and is the image of my father, my mother, my father’s father’, and uncles, I once feared were gone from my memory. My wife recognized that my heartfelt stares at my son’s face were deeper than that of a proud father. She felt that I was taking pictures with my memory, as I once did many years ago. Her generous gift of my first Canon was the most freeing gift in every way. My mind’s eye, and my eyes were finally in beautiful synchronicity.
Becoming a trained photographer, with a passion for portraits allows me to live in the present. Living in the present allows me to capture every smile, frown, yawn, and meaningless expression of my children, my family, friends, and once in a while a voyeur or strangers. The birth of OcuLux, my third baby comes as a surprise to me, a techie by day. Strangers reached out through social media inquiring about my photography skills and services, and a few have gone as far as plagiarizing my IG photos. I could no longer say no. I am saying yes to my deepest desires, and yes to the kind admirers and supporters.
My name is Tshi (pronounced Chi). I live in the New York/New Jersey area, and I would love to capture your beautiful present moments that will stay with you forever.