"Through the Lens of Resilience and Passion Leaving five-figure income as a mechanical engineer and starting over, earning $12.5 an hour in an Italian restaurant staying true to his conviction to pursue his passion. From local galleries to global exhibitions, Stanley's work shimmered with raw emotion and depth. His love for nature, the pristine dark sky and the exploration of the endless beauty of the world, Stanley’s works is not just a photograph. Instead, each click is a moment frozen in time, a true beauty captured as a masterpiece. He has won over 100 awards, exhibited all around the globe, interviewed on National Television and exhibited in prestigious international publications. But life wasn’t always like that for Stanley. The early morning haze in Bandung carries stories of dreams, struggles, and aspirations. It was here, amid the hum of the bustling streets, where young Stanley's narrative took root. Every morning, as the sun drenched the Indonesian city with its golden hue, his hardworking parents set off, each day a testament to their undying commitment to offer their son a brighter future. It's within this frame of relentless pursuit and sacrifice that Stanley learned his first lessons about success. As the city buzzed with life, the societal melodies of Bandung played a tune that Stanley couldn't ignore. Study hard, secure a job, climb the corporate ladder, settle down, buy a house, and then... what? The silence after the 'and then' reverberated in Stanley's ears, leading him to chase the Australian dream - becoming a mechanical engineer in one of the country's most prestigious aluminium companies. But as the paychecks grew, the light in Stanley's eyes dimmed. The dream, it seemed, was not his own and he lost his passion in life. On a crisp morning at 30, Stanley stumbled upon words that would reshape his destiny: “If today were the last day of my life, would I do what I’m about to do today?” These words, uttered by Steve Jobs, struck a chord so profound that it set Stanley on a course of self-discovery and purpose. In 2018, Stanley took a leap of faith, trading his engineer's blueprints for a camera's viewfinder. Embarking on a journey as a nomadic photographer, his new mission was clear: not to gather materialistic accolades but to amass a treasury of memories. His lens captured the vast expanse of the world. He explored 40,000 km around the continent of Australia, the towering majesty of the Canadian Alps, and the serene landscapes of his homeland, Indonesia, during The Wicked Hunt. The Wicked Hunt is his mission to go through unconventional ways to experience and capture unique moments. A passion, though a guiding star, isn't a shield from life's adversities. The unpredictability of a photographer's life weighed heavily on Stanley. Uncertain paychecks, daunting challenges, and the looming spectre of dwindling savings became daily companions. He had growing credit card debt, his bank account was zero, and he had to sell his house. Even through all of the diversity, he had a strong conviction for his journey. He declined an offer to go back to his old job. Yet, the struggles birthed a newfound purpose: to inspire others to chase their dreams relentlessly and find joy in their passion. It was this drive, this unyielding spirit, that led Stanley to his most transformative revelation. True photography was not about the perfect angle or lighting but about capturing the heart's essence. The camera became an extension of his soul, and the world began to take notice. For Stanley, the photo was never the goal. It’s simply the trophy, something to capture that perfect moment and something to remember it by. We all dream about a moment in a place at a certain time, but often, we’re discouraged by fear of failure and going out of our comfort zone. As a Wicked Hunter, he believes that we should overcome these fears. Life is fragile and precious. “We don’t know when our time will come to an end. We only have one shot at making this our life, a life that is driven by love and passion, not fear.” What separates Stanley from other photographers around the world is his care, compassion and commitment to contributing to the community and others who need support, help and inspiration. Through Stanley’s odyssey, he never forgets to carry the community together in his journey. Among his myriad accolades was the visionary concept behind NFT Bali Artweek & Sloika World Photography Day. This grand event became a beacon of hope, spotlighting emerging and local talents in a prestigious Balinese gallery. Through it, Karma Kandara and Stanley also extended their support to the Gerasa Foundation, reinforcing their commitment to human rights in Indonesia. Our paths converge not just in our shared love for art but in our commitment to impact the global community positively. For our esteemed members, who've achieved monumental successes and now seek life's genuine essence, Stanley's journey and visio

"The darkness fooled us, 8 hours of adventure turned into 18 hours. One last month before, I lost the Milky Way for the year. Failing this means I have to wait another year for a second chance... When I first stepped foot in Bali, I had a mission to a moment no one had ever captured before. And for that, I need to push past the boundaries and limitations. Going to stupid places, at stupid o’clock, during stupid conditions… I’m one for adventure. My passion and love for exploration took my photography to some of the most unbelievable scenes. A Milky Way above the Island of God? It’s never easy… Nature needs to be respected… Finding the right timing, weather, and conditions... Yet the biggest challenge was my inner struggle. 5 months after, I tore 2 of my ligaments. Doubts, both mentally & physically. Struggling to find a guide who was willing to go at night, and not knowing what was waiting on the other side, my passion pushed me forward. I embarked on The Wicked Hunt. It started off with a cloudy sky, but mother nature was on my side. The higher I got, the clearer it became, the wind got stronger, and slowly the day turned into night. Stumbling on loose rocks, my hands were full of scrapes scrambling & protecting the cameras. The muscles were burning; 3 cameras, 3 tripods, 5 lenses and a drone, among other things. The slope turned into what felt like a wall. I didn’t have enough space, a thin rain jacket was all I had to keep me warm. I was shivering cold. Lost… I couldn’t find the summit, but when I looked back, there was something magical. Perhaps this was what the universe wanted me to capture? A view from heaven. A heaven on earth. It was as if I was up visiting the gods looking down on the rest of the Island. The Island of God. I lost my grandma a few months before she turned 100 years old on the 13th of May 2022. Someone who brought me up as a child. Every time I look at this photo it’s as if she’s there looking down, guiding me to the right path. Lifting me during each challenge. Click after click… Moments have been preserved, 2.5 hours passed by, packed my bag. The darkness fooled us, GPS wasn’t enough. It was dark I couldn’t see the entry point to navigate around the cliffs. 8 turned into 18 hours - 30 hours without sleep but a mission was accomplished. A rare moment that’s never been captured before in Bali. A one-of-a-kind moment that is almost impossible to recreate from the highest volcano on the island. This is the love and passion for adventure. This is The Wicked Hunt. In memory of Sutjijatie Anie 13.5.22 "