Vi.
It was a sunny morning in Istanbul. As I savored a warm, aromatic cup of tea at a small roadside café, a little girl appeared out of nowhere. Her golden curls shimmered in the sunlight like strands of tinsel, and her sparkling eyes seemed to hold an entire universe within them. She walked closer, looking at me with curious eyes as if to ask, “Would you like to take my picture?”
I glanced over to her mother, a woman sitting leisurely at the corner of the café, enjoying her tea. She met my gaze with a gentle smile and an encouraging nod, as if to say, “Go ahead!” With that, I lifted my camera, quickly adjusting the frame. The sunlight streamed down, making her hair glow with a radiant halo. It also cast an unusual, delicate shape onto her petite nose – almost like a tiny flower sculpted by the light. In that fleeting moment, I knew I was witnessing something extraordinary, something rare and beautiful. And so, I clicked, guided purely by instinct and the sincerity of the moment.
That evening, as I returned home, I eagerly opened my camera to revisit the photographs. The interplay of light and colors transported me to another realm – a world of innocence and unspoiled beauty. I couldn’t wait another second and edited the photo with immense care before sending it to her mother via Instagram. Her response was filled with heartfelt gratitude and an unmistakable sense of pride.
Two months later, as my book project “Istanbul: The Lifestyle & The Food” reached its final stages, I realized that this photo was the perfect choice for the cover. It wasn’t just a beautiful image; it encapsulated the spirit of Istanbul – a city where magical moments can unfold at any street corner. I reached out to the girl’s father to seek permission to use the photo. Not only did he agree, but he also shared how proud the entire family was to see their daughter as the “muse” for a book celebrating Istanbul. rằng cả gia đình đều tự hào khi con gái mình trở thành “nàng thơ” của một cuốn sách về Istanbul.
Every time I look at the book cover, I’m transported back to that morning – a simple yet profoundly emotional moment. Istanbul gifted me a magical memory, reminding me that the most beautiful things in life often come from serendipity and our willingness to embrace them with an open heart.
