Convergence of Wishes was taken on a summer trip to visit my grandparents in Shanghai, where we soon visited a traditional temple. The photo serves as a glimpse into the unique practices Chinese temple-goers can partake in. Both young and elderly visitors attempt to balance spare change on their edges, a feat I’ve been told can increase the probability of fulfilling one’s wishes. Traveling with the intent of using a camera—be it a smartphone or DSLR—pushes me to seek out narrative components of an unfamiliar environment; I enjoy creating photos that I can return to, to relive the subjects’ emotions.
Sophia Zhao is a nineteen-year-old from Newark, Delaware currently studying at Yale University. Her creative work has been recognized by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers and is featured or forthcoming in The Adroit Journal, The Rising Phoenix, The Heritage Review, and elsewhere. She enjoys painting, poetry, and jasmine tea.