Chicago Take over With Rafgiovan

Hey there everyone! The best thing about being a creative is meeting and working with other creatives. Some of my inspiration comes from these amazing artists and I love that we can bounce back ideas and learn from each other. I am very excited to introduce you to my Visual Collaborations segment where I will be showcasing my collaborative projects. 

My very first guest is photographer Rafael (IG: @rafgiovan) who has an amazing eye for street photography and has a unique way of using light and shadows in his pictures. For those of you who follow me on social media, you have have already seen pictures from Rafael and I's Chicago Take Over. However, there are still a few shots that we have not shown you. Our goal for this project is to show you Chicago from a different perspective. 

​Starting our tour with the Bear Champ.
​Photo Credit: Rafael
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For those of you who are new to Rafael's photography or perhaps who have seen his work through my Instagram account, might be curious to know who Rafael is and his background. Lucky for us, Rafael gave us a brief biography to virtually introduce himself. 

"As a kid growing up in a Latino (Cuban/Ecuadorian) household, there was always something to celebrate. From birthdays to anniversaries, festivities were common. Thankfully, many of those moments were captured by a camera. From time to time, I love going through those old school pictures reminiscing of those good times. It’s amazing what photography can do; capturing time to appreciate many years later. As far as I can remember, being creative has been constant in my life. From crayons and coloring books to drawing in sketchbooks, I always looked for a way to be creative. I remember my last trip to Ecuador; I started to notice my interest grow in photography. I started to see spaces and places in a different way and felt that photography could be my new creative outlet. 

Social media began to blow-up and I decided to join Instagram. From here, I started to post pics here and there. I also noticed amazing and talented people sharing epic photos and I started to use my camera phone more and more. I began to research photographers like Vivian Maier, Heni Cartier-Bresson and Gordon Parks to see their creative style. In the end, I feel learning never stops and learning more about photography will be an ongoing goal. I hope in the coming years, either moving  In familiar spaces or traveling to uncharted places, I’ll use photography to capture moments I can appreciate and reminisce for years to come."

As you immerse yourself in our visuals, listen to our hand picked playlist to help transport you into the Chicago we see from our lenses. 
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​How fast can you run up the stairs above Bear Champ?
Photo Credit: Marissa
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​Faster than a Metra train at Union Station?
Photo Credit: Marissa
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​Which Andy Garcia movie does this remind you of?
Grand Hall Staircase at Union Station
Photo Credit: Rafael
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​Tell me what haunts you more. The past or the thought of sprits being real?
Photo Credit: Marissa
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Don't like ghosts? No problem. Close your eyes and let's listen to the sound of passing cars under theDuSable Bridge.
Photo Credit: Marissa
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​Open your eyes. We have arrived.
Photo Credit: Rafael
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Claiming our spaces and capturing it.
Photo Credit: Marissa
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​Watch your step.
Photo Credit: Marissa
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​Meet Nathan of the Magnificent Mile.
Photo Credit: Marissa
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​Breathe. Don't be alarmed. We are at the Wrigley Building.
Photo Credit: Marissa
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You see?
Photo Credit: Marissa
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But are we? Or have we arrived at the Museum of Contemporary Art?
Photo Credit: Marissa
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​Don't think about it. Take up space in the exhibit.
​Photo Credit: Marissa
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​Tell me, do you find solace in people? Or places?
Chicago Water Tower and the John Hancock Center
Photo Credit: Marissa
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​X marks the spot.
Photo Credit: Marissa
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You can have the white horse and carriage in Chicago but there are no such things as fairy godmothers. It's every person for themselves here. 
​Photo Credit: Marissa
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​Sears or Willis Tower?
​Photo Credit: Marissa
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​And here is where I leave you, at the John Hancock Center. Remember to keep your head up. ;-)
Photo Credits: Rafael
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