Summer has always held a special place in my heart, a season where everything feels more alive, more vibrant, and more intensely present. Growing up on Cape Cod, the months between June and August were a time when the world seemed to burst with color, light, fun and freedom.. It was during these summer days that I forged my earliest and most cherished memories, the ones that still linger in the corners of my mind like the scent of saltwater in the air. These were days of joy, happiness, peace, and relaxation—the perfect ingredients for a summer fling.
It seemed now, in hindsight anyway, I lived a perpetual summer.
The term “summer fling” often evokes images of a brief, passionate romance, a whirlwind of emotions that fades as quickly as it begins. But for me, the idea of a summer fling transcends mere romance. It’s about an intimate connection with the season itself, a relationship with the world that’s as fleeting as it is exhilarating. It’s a time when I throw myself into the moment, allowing the light, the warmth, and the spontaneity of summer to take over.
Take me, I’m yours.
This past summer has been one of those seasons that has catapulted me back to my “summer-part.” The travels I’ve embarked on have reignited that sense of freedom and adventure that I associate so closely with summer. With each new location, I’ve found myself drawn into the rhythm of the season, letting the light guide my lens and my instincts dictate my movements. The landscapes I’ve encountered have been nothing short of breathtaking, and in each one, I’ve found echoes of those Cape Cod summers—days spent chasing the sun, capturing the magic of golden hour, and feeling utterly at peace.
As a photographer, my summer fling takes on a different form. It’s a romance with light and shadow, with the fleeting moments that make up the essence of this season. There’s something about summer that makes everything more photogenic, as if the world is putting on a show just for me. The colors are richer, the contrasts sharper, and the light…oh, the light! It dances and plays, teasing me with its ever-changing moods. From the soft pastels of dawn to the fiery oranges of sunset, summer light is a fickle lover—one that I pursue with a passion that borders on obsession.
But a fling, by its nature, is temporary. It’s a season of indulgence, a time to let go and savor the moment without worrying about what comes next. And so, I find myself embracing this summer with a sense of urgency, knowing that it will soon slip away. Each photograph I take is a memento of this fleeting affair, a way to hold onto the feelings that summer stirs within me. When I look back at these images, I’ll see more than just pretty pictures. I’ll see joy, happiness, peace, enjoyment, and relaxation captured in each frame—a reflection of the summer fling that has defined my year.
There’s a part of me that wishes summer could last forever, that the light could remain this golden and the days this long. But I know that the beauty of a summer fling lies in its impermanence. It’s the knowledge that this season will end that makes me cherish it all the more. When the leaves start to turn and the air grows crisp, I’ll pack away my summer memories like old love letters, each one a reminder of the time we spent together.
So, as this summer draws to a close, I find myself grateful for the fling we’ve shared. It’s been a season of rediscovery, of reconnecting with the parts of myself that thrive in the warmth and light. And while I know that the days will soon grow shorter and the light less forgiving, I’ll carry the essence of this summer with me into the months ahead. Because in every season, there’s a bit of summer waiting to be found, a chance to rekindle the fling and bask in the joy it brings.
Images from Bergen, Norway.
