“Through doing that in Vietnam, one of the things I've really come to appreciate is just how resilient and resourceful the Vietnamese people are. You see it everywhere in everyday life,” Shelley said.
He said that famous landmarks may reveal a country’s beauty or history, but it is everyday moments that tell the story of its people.
“If I had traveled through Vietnam simply ticking off the main tourist attractions, I think I would have had a great trip, but I would have missed a lot of that. Photography has made me stop, watch, and appreciate those smaller details—much more about the people of Vietnam,” Shelley said.
During his journey in January, Shelley often walked alone through markets, alleyways and residential neighborhoods, capturing everyday moments. He said the warm welcome he received from local people was one of the reasons he enjoyed photographing Vietnam so much.
