Chasing the Northern Lights.
Just a simple story to encourage the journey of exploration.
Spectacular photographs taken by Vlad Koblicica and Vlad Tace, two amazing photographers who had the chance to capture the impossible—a memorable story from this place.
Being a huge fan of frozen lands and the stories that come from that icy world, where even time seems frozen, creating an unimaginable stillness and mystical environment, I’ve started planning an expedition there. Of course, I won’t tell you exactly where just yet, but it’s all about biodiversity conservation and visiting places that are beyond words. A few days, months, or years ago, depending on when you read this blog, I experienced a rare, unique, and even historic moment when, from the windowsill of my house in Transylvania, I was able to see the Northern Lights.
If you're even slightly passionate about these things, you understand how much such a moment means to someone like me. It inspires you, motivates you, and makes you realize just how much magic this universe holds. Why is this relevant?
I don’t know about you, but I absolutely adore stories. I live for them, I breathe them, I love creating them, and I cherish hearing them. I always have my ears open when people talk around me because I believe every bit of knowledge we absorb shapes us, helping us become the best versions of ourselves. This topic has been on my mind a lot, as it’s something I’ve grappled with and something many people around me have questioned. And you know….the Aurora Borealis itself represents a story that brings us explorers together in a common cabin, where tales about it are shared by the warmth of the crackling fire, with a good cup of tea and coffee. Also known as the Northern Lights, is one of nature’s most breathtaking light shows. Picture it as the sky putting on a glowing dance of colors, usually green, but sometimes with hints of pink, purple, and even red. This magical display happens when particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere near the magnetic poles, creating shimmering waves of light that look like they belong in a dream. You can catch this natural wonder in places like Norway, Iceland, and parts of Canada. It’s the kind of experience that makes you feel small in the best way possible!
So here we go, seeing it here, from the veranda of the place I’m staying, catching it with the naked eye on a random beautiful evening, is truly something unique, because theoretically, it should be impossible to see it from here. Of course, historically speaking, it has been observed from our region before, but under very rare conditions and mostly by specialists, not just anyone with a phone camera at hand. No wonder, back in the 7th century, the Vikings revered it and considered it a divine manifestation. Well, it truly is. Beyond the scientific explanations, it’s an event that leaves you in awe, making you feel small in a magical universe, giving you the boost you need to dream, to believe, and to walk the path of the dream you hold.
Why am I focusing on this topic? Well, it's not exactly just about the Aurora Borealis itself, but rather about the symbolism behind it, the recurring theme and inspiration it provides. This is why I’ve created a bond with it. There are a million niches in which you can photograph, different styles, different ideas, but all, under the same umbrella, need to create a mosaic—a mosaic of experiences and diversity and if just one of them brings you closer to the moment you wish to start, to explore, to discover, then I have arrived where I need to be!
Having your morning coffee, searching for topics that interest you, watching them, doing research, are essentially the things that make you the protagonist of your own dream tomorrow. It’s a state of mind, one that I’ve called Wanderbrew, just like the title of my blog, a word that encapsulates and associates with the many states of mind you can experience, like hygge in the North, for example.
I've talked a lot about the sky and Aurora because both of them marked my journey as a content creator, making me eager to explore, discover, and share. It’s basically one of the reason I want to see the world, because it’s infinite and shapes your character, who you are.
When it comes to the photography community, or better yet, the entire visual community online - we slowly realize that it’s become more than just a community; it’s turned into a culture, an encyclopedia, a magical book that every time you browse through, you learn and absorb things that can change your life. Getting inspired and visualizing yourself in certain places, doing certain things, or dreaming, really, is a method that brings you closer to your dream through hard work and ambition. It's one of the first steps to making a mark in this field. Drawing inspiration and learning from the work and adventures of other photographers around you is the equivalent of the research you need to draft ideas and strategies—of course, if you're already someone who understands the technical side.
Over time, I’ve been inspired by numerous people, whose journeys and stories have made me more eager than ever to explore, create, read, and stay connected to this field. The photos shared above, capturing this event, were taken by passionate individuals who had the incredible chance to witness it under ideal conditions, in picture-perfect settings. As we like to say, it’s unreal and fascinating, and really, a shame not to share.
Well, it’s all about starting now, taking action, and motivating yourself to create, no matter who you are or where you are. I’ve jotted down a few thoughts to help you shape your vision and broaden your spectrum when it comes to inspiration. Inspiration, along with the desire to explore and seek out new experiences, are fundamental elements in the growth and journey of any photographer.
At some point, you must decide between what you love to do, what you need to do, and what others expect you to do. You see, society, ever since ancient times, has been divided into classes, social labels, and tags that dictate who you should be and what you should do, creating a framework for you to follow. Outside this framework, you're often cast aside, bombarded with obstacles and a lack of support, making it feel impossible to climb the mountain, as if it were strewn with lava and dangers.
This story is closer to the truth than we might like to admit, but today, I want to talk about the power of starting, even when you're surrounded by fear. Think about it: statistically speaking, in various societies and cultures, around 40 percent of an average person’s life is spent at work or around it.
Now, imagine spending all that time doing something you don’t love, something that doesn’t bring you joy, that doesn’t reflect your true self or your dreams. It’s like living someone else’s life, a life that doesn't resonate with your soul. The clock is always ticking, and every second spent on something that doesn’t fulfill you is a second lost forever.
So, why not take that first bold step towards your passion? Why not dare to break free from societal labels and start crafting the life you truly desire? Yes, the path may be fraught with challenges, but every great story starts with a single step into the unknown. Embrace the journey, for it is in the pursuit of your dreams that you discover your true self.
Grab a laptop, a camera, a good internet connection, some plane tickets, and start your story now. You live in an era filled with so many possibilities that it’s hard to imagine. For the first time in history, we truly have access to such opportunities.
When it comes to making decisions, they're often made impulsively, influenced by suggestions, or driven by the values and knowledge you possess. However, for long-term well-being, choosing something with your heart, with your own eyes and senses, something you believe you are or will be good at, something that brings you joy every day, is crucial. Be ambitious and eager, and most importantly, regardless of the field you choose as your passion, be aware that at some point you need to adapt, be open to nuances, in order to create something and carve out your own freedom.
You see, freedom is a highly abstract concept; at the end of the day, it hinges on how you perceive and interpret things. Perhaps you've heard the expression, "Take care of what's on your mind, for at some point you might have it." This isn't unrealistic if you have faith, work hard, believe in yourself, and visualize your goals—it will happen sooner or later.
And don't forget, you are the sum of the few people you surround yourself with. There's a reason they say, "Tell me who your friends are, and I'll tell you who you are," or "Your network is your net worth." This applies to every aspect of life—from how you think and what you eat, to how you live and how you fare financially, to how you feel. They all piece together to sculpt who you are, telling the story of your life.
You often hear remarks like, "It can't be done," "Get a real job," "Do something serious," "What will people say," and other such things from people who have no clue, who haven't been through it themselves, who can't tell you because they simply don't know. It's not their fault; they too have fallen into the trap of the system. And why should you be part of a system when you only have one life? What good does it do to be praised for having some diploma or working some prestigious job if you leave everything behind, or worse, if you don't feel it?
Free your thoughts and for a moment, imagine you are who you want to be, doing what you want to do—not what you're told, not what you should do. Because the truth is, you don't have to do anything that doesn't resonate with you or bring you joy. There's no sense in fearing judgment. It's better to choose the path of the lone wolf than to be confined with the herd, without tasting, feeling, or living through your own eyes.
I also made a short list of creators who inspire my exploratory horizon and travels—people from whom I learn, and from whom you can also learn.
Daniel Ernst , Hello Emilie , Alex Strohl , Benjamin Hardman , Peter McKinnon , HaiHui în 2 , Jason Charles Hill , Paul Buyik , Cecilia Blomdah.
Follow their stories on YouTube as well, it's worth it! And of course, feel free to find more.
Create a cozy environment that inspires you, filled with things, colors, and atmospheres that uplift your spirit because it can change your mood and way of being.
I encourage you to follow content creators—photographers, videographers, visual storytellers—and through what you learn, to shape your own story, your own visual world. Enjoy consuming great content with a good cup of coffee. Exciting things are coming up! Until next time, take care!
Taken by me with my iPhone, completely random, just one second, one press of a button. P.S. If you want to catch the Aurora, download the Aurora app. It will send you notifications when solar activity is high, and you'll be able to follow detailed information about it. I'm not an expert when it comes to aurora hunting, but make sure you're in a dark place with no light pollution when you want to see it; nature is the perfect setting. Set your phone camera or camera to a long exposure, and enjoy a magnificent show that will uplift your spirit.
