I recently had an assignment to shoot the Self Realization Fellowship (SRF) center in Encinitas. Ive always wondered about this place as ive driven by it many times so i was excited to get the opportunity to photograph it. I was very surprised when i arrived as it was not at all what i expected. As you drive by it on coast highway you see this really big cool looking building surrounded by a wall covered in vegetation. I had expected to see some really big temple on the other side of the wall or something like that, but as it turns out its just a couple of buildings and a big open field.........i was a little confused and a little disappointed. Soon i found out though that the open field is used for big meetings and that part of the big draw to the place was the meditation gardens which was just a little ways up the road. The gardens are truly beautiful, and the monks work very hard to keep it a quiet and serene place where people can come and meditate. As a result of these efforts the gardens are not open to commercial photography, its a real shame for other people who want to shoot there........but lucky me i was shooting for an article and got to shoot a little. I was also taken to some private areas that had some AMAZING views of the coast. It was a real fun experience but the biggest highlight was talking with one of the monks as he showed me the gardens. We got into a nice conversation on the importance of family and started to talk about God and the importance of spirituality and faith........i wont get into details but will say that it was a nice talk. The sun set and the light began to dim so i ended my afternoon there with a short shooting session of the front building at dusk. Heres some photos. Enjoy!!
Im Lorenzo Menendez, my life is a constant adventure. I am grateful to have my beautiful wife by my side to share in it all, in January it will be 8 years for us. We love our 2 energetic dogs Koa & Kai. Ive been doing this for 15 years, and have learned it all by trial and error. I won't bore you with tales of how this is my passion, half of the world is a photographer now and they all claim it as their "passion". My work will speak for itself and my passion will shine through my images. I became a photographer because i love nature, i didn't do it to become rich or for praise. My goals are simple, have my love for our world come through my images & in the process make you fall in love with it too. In the end i love life, i love nature, i love beautiful light and good compositions. Hope you enjoy it :)
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