Nature Before Screens - Nintendo Live 2023

I created the name "Nature before Screens" as a way to poke fun at my brother.

We had won a raffle to Nintendo Live 2023 in Seattle, Washington that summer and we started planning on what stops to take along the way; honestly, we didn't expect to win.

I made it a summer trip for both my brother and mom. They had never travelled farther than Las Vegas, so I wanted them to experience travel like I did in college.

I was originally going to take photos using the camera I've had since college, but my brother took interest in taking photos himself. Once he took interest, I let him have it for the rest of the trip. I was just happy he was interested in anything other than video games.

I picked out the best images I could find in the lot of 200. While reviewing which ones to edit, I noticed a pattern in what peaked his mind. He saw little things in our hiking trails. (Just like me!) From spider webs to what mom and I were doing in our short breaks.

I didn't always know what was going on in that brain of his, but this trip gave me a new perspective on what kind of person he is becoming. I knew he was growing up quickly, but this trip really made me see he still had a child wonder.

Throughout our hikes, he kept going further ahead than me and mom. He kept taking photos while I was documenting behind him. He just kept asking questions on how the camera worked and how to change a setting that would work best for what he was doing. He still has a long way before he gets as good as me, which isn't much better anymore, but I know we will get there some day. (if he ever sees this as a hobby...)