September 2009 - March 2010.

After graduating from Hallmark Institute of Photography, I decided to work and live inside a cruise ship for 6 months. The closest thing I could relate to a cruise ship was the "Titantic" movie. Other than that, I have never seen one in person or even been inside one. It was definitely a challenge and one of the most rewarding experiences I had ever had in my life. From the places I've been, seen, to the people I've met from all over the globe.

It was similar to college life, but instead of a class schedule, you had a work schedule. And instead of going bar hopping on the weekends with your friends, you had the crew bar on Deck 8. While Deck 8 was the popular spot in the ship, it was Deck 4 where it all happened.

My first self portrait in my cabin/room at 4200.

My first self portrait in my cabin/room at 4200.

My cabin was located at the end of the hallway, at the corner, and near the elevator where most of the crew members took to get to Deck 8, which was the infamous crew bar. My first week consisted of noises outside my door in the middle of the night. Crew members often sat right outside my cabin door after hanging out at the crew bar. Florin and Haezhel from the photography department drop by for a visit.

My cabin was located at the end of the hallway, at the corner, and near the elevator where most of the crew members took to get to Deck 8, which was the infamous crew bar. My first week consisted of noises outside my door in the middle of the night. Crew members often sat right outside my cabin door after hanging out at the crew bar. Florin and Haezhel from the photography department drop by for a visit.

Dennis, videographer from the Philippines. His office near the photo lab on Deck 4, making his daily check ups for the DVD sales.

Dennis, videographer from the Philippines. His office near the photo lab on Deck 4, making his daily check ups for the DVD sales.

Rijad, photographer from Serbia. Working on Deck 7 at the photo gallery.

Rijad, photographer from Serbia. Working on Deck 7 at the photo gallery.

Heather, photographer from Canada. Behind the photo gallery and in the stock room.

Heather, photographer from Canada. Behind the photo gallery and in the stock room.

Glenn, photographer from the Philippines. Lisa, from Australia, peeping out in the reflection. On their way to dinner after their first shift at the photo gallery.

Glenn, photographer from the Philippines. Lisa, from Australia, peeping out in the reflection. On their way to dinner after their first shift at the photo gallery.

Karolina, photographer from Poland. Each week, photographers were selected and required to dress as pirates and pose with over 3,000 passengers.

Karolina, photographer from Poland. Each week, photographers were selected and required to dress as pirates and pose with over 3,000 passengers.

Haezhel, photographer from the Philippines. Two weeks after being alone in my cabin, she moves in after some differences with her cabinmate/roommate.

Haezhel, photographer from the Philippines. Two weeks after being alone in my cabin, she moves in after some differences with her cabinmate/roommate.

Passengers had the opportunity to dress in formal attire for a night of elegance called,

Passengers had the opportunity to dress in formal attire for a night of elegance called, "Formal Night". This required photographers to shoot from 5:15pm to 10:30pm, straight. Set up began at 2:30pm and since there was no dinner or break given, we had an early dinner after set up which was around 3:30pm. Formal night was twice a week.

Haezhel setting up her shot on Deck 7 at the photo gallery. It was Halloween on Formal Night.

Haezhel setting up her shot on Deck 7 at the photo gallery. It was Halloween on Formal Night.

Photographers headed down to the photo lab on Deck 4 after breaking down their backdrops from the Formal Night shoot. Marc, the photo manager from Australia, works on a flier that will be used for portrait sessions.

Photographers headed down to the photo lab on Deck 4 after breaking down their backdrops from the Formal Night shoot. Marc, the photo manager from Australia, works on a flier that will be used for portrait sessions.

The photographers putting their gear away in their assigned lockers.

The photographers putting their gear away in their assigned lockers.

Marc, on the left, and Rachel the photo assistant from England on the right, work together throughout the night to print Formal Night photos.

Marc, on the left, and Rachel the photo assistant from England on the right, work together throughout the night to print Formal Night photos.

With over 3,000 passengers on board, 8 backdrop set ups, and around 8-10 shots per group, a total of over 20,000 photos have to be produced in one day.

With over 3,000 passengers on board, 8 backdrop set ups, and around 8-10 shots per group, a total of over 20,000 photos have to be produced in one day.

Around 3:30pm being our last meal, photographers finally get their break and a proper meal at midnight on Deck 12, where a 24 hour buffet was served. Lisa, on the far left, exhausted, closes her eyes for a few minutes while the rest of the ladies discuss about their day.

Around 3:30pm being our last meal, photographers finally get their break and a proper meal at midnight on Deck 12, where a 24 hour buffet was served. Lisa, on the far left, exhausted, closes her eyes for a few minutes while the rest of the ladies discuss about their day.

Gavin, bartender from England, drops by for a visit after his last shift and on his way to his cabin after hanging out at the crew bar.

Gavin, bartender from England, drops by for a visit after his last shift and on his way to his cabin after hanging out at the crew bar.

With the ship in constant motion and docking at tourist areas, men often either cut their own hair, or went to one of the

With the ship in constant motion and docking at tourist areas, men often either cut their own hair, or went to one of the "barbers" on Deck 4.

One of the crew members getting his haircut while the other two crew members in the background play some music to create a more comfortable environment.

One of the crew members getting his haircut while the other two crew members in the background play some music to create a more comfortable environment.

To make some extra cash, some of the crew members create their own private businesses in the ship, including a barber shop called,

To make some extra cash, some of the crew members create their own private businesses in the ship, including a barber shop called, "Orlando" shown in the mirror.

There were only 2 ways to get in touch with our loved ones: on Deck 8, there were phone cards and internet cards available for purchase along with an internet room, and on Deck 4, where the wifi connection was located and used for the internet cards.

There were only 2 ways to get in touch with our loved ones: on Deck 8, there were phone cards and internet cards available for purchase along with an internet room, and on Deck 4, where the wifi connection was located and used for the internet cards.

The internet cards weren't free and you had limited time per card. It was $20 for 120 minutes and $40 for 320 minutes.

The internet cards weren't free and you had limited time per card. It was $20 for 120 minutes and $40 for 320 minutes.

Signs making it clear for those who want a haircut.

Signs making it clear for those who want a haircut.

Competition taking place on Deck 3, where most of the waiters and bartenders had lived.

Competition taking place on Deck 3, where most of the waiters and bartenders had lived.

Front cabin doors of the photo staff.

Front cabin doors of the photo staff.

With her first 6-month contract coming to a close, Lisa is all packed up to head back to Australia the next morning.

With her first 6-month contract coming to a close, Lisa is all packed up to head back to Australia the next morning.