Category: Photo Essays

Graduate

by Rhobie Toussaint, posted in Photo Essays

Mom,

Today you graduate (which is in the form of a luncheon because the ceremonies are every other year). You worked hard to get here. I remember when I was in elementary school, too young to stay home alone, you would rush to get from work, to the person babysitting my brother and I, to your night classes. At the time, dad worked a night shift as well. When completing the last two classes for the degree, after five days of working, you spent your Saturdays at class. I watched as you juggled to be a mom, a student, a coworker, a teacher, and a person devoted to God all at the same time. I know it wasn’t easy coming into the country, getting your citizenship, and building the life you now have. But you’re doing it, you’re building. You completed the class to help you speak and read English. You completed the classes to get your Associate’s Degree. You managed to get a better job with that new diploma. You continued to work hard. Now, you have your Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education.

Today we celebrate you. Today we honor you and your decision to keep pushing forward even when the times were less than ideal, even in the midst of difficult classes. You did it. I couldn’t be more proud of all you accomplished, and everything you will accomplish from this day forward.

This photo essay takes place at my mother’s graduation luncheon, in which she listens to wise words, talks, eats her meal, and enjoy the event meant to honor her, along with 38 hardworking individuals who either got their Bachelor’s or their Master’s.

Chatter fills the room as everyone waits for the event to start.

The director of the school does the introduction for the luncheon, also introducing staff members.

A student then says the blessing before the eating commences.

Everyone in the tables digs in into the meal, and eats.

My mom rises as they call her name in the recognition of the 39 graduates

Familiar faces are seen all around.

Bayside

by Rhobie Toussaint, posted in Experience, Photo Essays
On Saturday, my parents and I went to Bayside, an outdoor two story marketplace near the Biscayne Bay. My mother told me she has been thinking about going there for a while now, and I don’t remember the last time I visited Bayside, so going here presented the perfect opportunity for a photo essay, walking around, and family bonding.

Throughout our visit to Bayside, we listened to a band play, saw people dancing, visited souvenir shops and the food court. The band consisted of about five people, playing well known songs such as “I like it,” while people bopped their heads, recorded, and danced. Souvenir shops varied from places with key chains, postcards, hats, and T-shirts with “Miami” on them. There were many places to eat both upstairs and downstairs with different kinds of foods: steak, plantain, pastries, fast food and so forth.

As I passed by different stores, I photographed them, trying to soak in everything, admiring the different places there, and capturing moments. I don’t know when my family will make a visit to bayside once more, so I felt that the pictures will later serve as memories that I can reminisce on. Perhaps the next time I have a chance to go Bayside, the hat shop and the podiatric based store across it won’t exist anymore. Or perhaps this is the last time I’ll have the chance to go with my parents, making the memories we made at Bayside the last ones we make there together. Basically, I felt and still feel that taking pictures of the different places here that I can look back on later holds great importance.

Although there was a lot of people there, it wasn’t crowded. There was never a space completely full, so finding a place to buy something without a long line, or simply somewhere to sit was hassle free. This gave everyone, tourists and locals, a chance to shop and enjoy what the place had to offer.

This is Bayside.

After spending over ten minutes trying to find a parking space and walking, my parents and I finally reached the front of the Bayside Marketplace.

The sign above says “the Pier 5 Marketplace,” and it was one of the first things that caught my eye.

As we walked through the Marketplace, signs containing the stores’ names and flags of countries around the world appeared up above.

Some stores and souvenir shops had displays such as this on the wall just outside the shop, promoting their items and showing creativity.

We stopped at a few shops ourselves, one in which my dad tried on a few hats before purchasing the navy blue one seen in the photo above.

We also passed by stores with artwork inside

After my parents and I visited and passed by the souvenir shops, we did the same for different restaurants and the food court.

At this restaurant, Mambo, there was music playing and song singing, giving the people there a source of entertainment.

We then headed to a stand with ice cream. My mom purchased a cookies and cream flavored one and shared some with my dad.

As we started to make our way back to the front, we saw different boats in the bay.

Near the parking lot, the “Bayside” sign was still visible. I took a photo of it to conclude the visit the trip to Bayside I made with my parents.

Christmas Eve

by Rhobie Toussaint, posted in Photo Essays

During the Christmas Eve, I spent time with the side of the family I don’t see very often. I go to experience my first Christmas Eve party while photographing the experience of the people there. I’ve never cared much for the holiday, but I do like to spend time with the family, especially because I’m not with them all the time.

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After everyone eats, people were taking pictures. Here, Stephanie (Right) is taking selfies with her niece Bree.
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Since some of the gifts weren’t wrapped yet, some of the girls in the room were tasked with doing so.
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While the girls were upstairs gift wrapping, some stayed downstairs to watch T.V. or text on their phones.
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Meanwhile, the adults were outside partying. The two relatives are having fun, one enjoying a drink and the other dancing.
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What good is a party without its deejay?
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Soon after, the gift exchange started.
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While some were excited about their gifts,
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others were not.

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After the gift exchange, the kids joined in and began dancing.

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S I X T E E N

by Rhobie Toussaint, posted in Photo Essays

SIXTEEN: A Day In The Life Of Chalice Daniel

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To Chalice, being sixteen is having a lot of chores to complete from the start of her day,  and routines to go by. Here, she is emptying out the trash from a bag before handing it to her younger brother, Dean.

 

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After cleaning the kitchen and her room, Chalice takes the time to tidy up the bathroom, and freshens up soon after.

 

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To Chalice, being sixteen is figuring out how to get to certain destinations on her own.

 

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Chalice [slightly impatiently] waits for the transaction to go through, keeping in mind to check the balance of her debit card after she leaves the beauty supply store.

 

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After fighting with the ATM for a few minutes, Chalice tries to retrieve cash from her card. Her appointment is near.

 

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Although most of her tasks are completed independently, with some, dependency doesn’t waver.

 

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After paying for necessities, and going Christmas shopping for her parents, Chalice decides to try out some accessories for herself.

 

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Though responsibilities and tasks can get tiring, Chalice doesn’t forget that she can still be a kid. She takes the time to look at the model in awe.

 

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A closer look.

 

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After scurrying around the mall and shopping, she finally has the chance to enjoy a burger, fries, and lemonade from Shake Shack. Finally, relaxation and a full stomach.

 

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A hectic day, but a good-night.