Some evenings you don’t plan for—yet they unfold into something unforgettable. That’s exactly what happened when I visited Camilia and Sergio at their cozy, modern apartment in South Florida. The plan? Good food, music, and even better company. What we ended up with was a full cultural experience, rooted in Colombian flavor and sonic creativity.
A Warm Welcome and Outdoor Cooking
Camilia and Sergio welcomed me into their thoughtfully arranged home. Everything felt intentional—clean lines, welcoming energy, and a space that felt lived-in without clutter. We moved quickly to the back patio, where most of the magic happened. Cooking outside with the Florida sunset in full view, we shared laughs while preparing an incredible traditional Colombian meal.
Bluejays flew overhead, and the sky lit up in soft amber and coral tones. The sound of meat sizzling blended with casual conversation and clinking drink glasses. It’s rare to have such a sensory-rich experience—nature, sound, smell, taste—all wrapped into one.
The Menu: Flavor Meets Tradition
They cooked with care and pride. Each dish told a story. We had:
- Chorizo – bold and savory
- Morcilla (blood sausage) – earthy and rich
- Grilled Beef – simple, tender, packed with flavor
- Aborrajado – a delicious blend of plantain, guava paste, and cheese
- Patacón – crispy green plantains with salt and crunch
- Quesillo – a Colombian cheese flan drizzled with warm caramel
- Refajo – a fizzy mix of Colombian soda and beer
The flavors were bold but balanced. Comfort food with depth and personality. We paired everything with great drinks, balancing sweet, salty, and savory in every bite. You could tell this wasn’t just dinner—it was tradition.
Synth Music
As the sky darkened, we moved inside for music. Sergio, a master of his gear, fired up his Moog Sub 37 synthesizer and the Roland TR-8S. What came next was beyond a jam session—it was immersive. He wove tones, beats, and sequences together like a live performance.
Watching him combine analog and digital signals so seamlessly was inspiring. Camilia jumped in too, adding rhythmic layers and melodic textures. The synergy between them was undeniable. Every sound they created felt like an extension of the evening—organic, warm, and full of soul.
Photography Gear and Visual Flow
For this session, I used the Canon EOS R8, paired with the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM and the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM with the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. The RF lens delivered crisp, cinematic portraits and depth, especially during twilight.
The EF 24-105mm gave me flexibility indoors and outdoors, ideal for lifestyle moments and food detail shots. Transitioning between scenes was seamless thanks to the gear’s versatility.
Computational Photography Enhancements
This session also allowed me to lean into computational photography techniques. I used AI-assisted tools to balance color, enhance geometry, and subtly refine depth of field. These tools helped retain the natural warmth of the environment while keeping visual integrity intact.
The combination of traditional optics with intelligent image enhancement let me stay focused on storytelling—knowing the tech would elevate the visual result without overpowering it.
Everyday Life Moments
It’s moments like these that help us remember who we were, and how we spent our time. The ordinary becomes extraordinary when we look back—the laughter over food, the casual music session, the sky slowly dimming while friends pass around plates. These are the kinds of memories that shape our lives more than we realize.
Capturing these everyday life moments isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. The colors, the conversations, the flavors—they all carry meaning. And when framed with intention, they become stories we want to hold onto.
This night was about more than food and music. It was about connection, culture, creativity, and the beauty of simply being together. Take a look at some of the other Everyday Life Moments I’ve captured—they’re all pieces of a bigger picture: life, as it unfolds naturally.
Not every moment needs a big event behind it. This evening reminded me how everyday settings, thoughtful food, and honest creativity can come together to create something worth remembering. Camilia and Sergio brought warmth, talent, and tradition—and I got to document a beautiful slice of life.
These are the stories I love capturing. Not staged. Not overly produced. Just real life, well lived, with the color turned up.
