When you embark on a cruise adventure, you may be excited about the sights you\u2019ll see, the shore excursions you\u2019ll experience and the endless cruise activities you’ll enjoy, from live music to pickleball. What you may not expect is Justin, one of our art and craft instructors. He\u2019s an artist by trade and a comedian at heart, and he ensures guests have a great time discovering their artistic side, from watercolor painting to origami. Oh, and if you think you aren\u2019t creative enough, Justin is up for the challenge. He\u2019ll show you just how creative you can be, even if it means helping you make a 101-fold dragon origami, or a fully painted canvas creation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\u201cMost people are more artistic than they think they are,\u201d he said. \u201cThey end up making interesting creative decisions along the way \u2013 decisions I wouldn\u2019t always think of. I see them and say: \u2018that\u2019s a really good idea, I\u2019m going to take that!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Justin is passionate about helping people discover the beauty of art and what they\u2019re capable of. He lights up in the Art Studio, nestled in the Crow\u2019s Nest on the upper deck, where he\u2019s an art instructor, coach, and class cheerleader. You\u2019ll often hear him say \u201cawesome sauce,\u201d \u201cgenius,\u201d \u201camazing job,\u201d and \u201clovely\u201d while he makes his rounds to ensure nobody is left behind during the guided instruction. If you\u2019re stuck on a step, don\u2019t sweat it. \u201cI\u2019ve got you,\u201d he says reassuringly, and he means it.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"White](\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/origami-cruise-activity-holland-america-line.webp\" "\\"Origami")
<\/span><\/div>Learn how to make origami during an art and crafts session.<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Born and raised in South Africa, Justin grew up with a passion for art and photography. He studied both at his local university before becoming a wildlife photographer. Soon after he craved worldwide adventures \u2013 professionally and personally. Seven years later, he has cruised to Iceland<\/a>, Greenland<\/a>, Norway<\/a>, Canada<\/a>, the Caribbean<\/a> and Alaska<\/a>.<\/p>\n\u201cI wanted to travel and see the world, and then I became quite used to the lifestyle. I enjoy the idea of getting to see a whole bunch of places, and I still have a lot to check off the list.\u201d<\/p>\n
Justin initially joined Holland America Line as a photographer before becoming a member of the entertainment team. Though he teaches art and crafts, you\u2019ll also find him hosting game shows or hitting the dance floor at the Orange Party. When he\u2019s not entertaining guests, you may find him diving into a good book or enjoying a hike with his camera in hand.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Table](\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/holland-america-line-water-color-painting.webp\" "\\"Water")
<\/span><\/div>Bring color to canvas with the stroke of a brush.<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Recognizing the importance of photos in documenting vacation adventures, we asked him to share a few tips.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile you do need to develop your skills with a quick trigger finger and good eye, the tool does make a difference,\u201d he said. \u201cFor example, if you\u2019re in Glacier Bay<\/a> on an Alaska cruise, you\u2019re surrounded by a lot of great wildlife<\/a>. If you don\u2019t have a 200 mm lens in front of your camera sensor, it\u2019s going to be difficult. You\u2019re going to end up with some really beautiful pixels though,\u201d he said jokingly.<\/p>\nHis first tip is to have the right camera equipment for the photos you plan on taking. Next is knowing the basics of getting a good shot, from lighting and angle to photo style. If it\u2019s a still shot with wildlife, patience is key. If it\u2019s an action shot, which is the photo style he enjoys the most in Alaska, then a good lens will be important.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe eagles are really enjoyable to photograph. If you have a good-sized lens, you can get some really nice shots of them flying around, but that\u2019s a completely different animal to photograph, so to speak, to something sitting out there in the middle of the savannah,\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n
As much as Justin loves the arts, there\u2019s one thing he loves more: people. Whether it\u2019s meeting guests or bonding with the crew, he cares about helping others make memories that will last a lifetime.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best part is the travel and the friends you make, and I\u2019ve made a lot of friends along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now for a Quick Cruise Q&A with Justin: <\/strong><\/p>\nFavorite art and craft activity:<\/em> Origami.<\/p>\nFavorite wildlife:<\/em> \u201cBears in Alaska \u2013 it\u2019s always exciting when you see them.\u201d<\/p>\nFavorite onboard event:<\/em> Live music.<\/p>\nBest part of celebrating Holland America Line\u2019s 150th<\/sup> anniversary<\/em>: \u201cI\u2019ve always found it really enjoyable to watch Origin Story,\u201d a presentation guests can view at the beginning of our cruises. \u201cWe\u2019ve got a cool history, and it\u2019s interesting to see where we\u2019ve come from. I also love a good excuse for a party, and what better excuse than that?!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Born and raised in South Africa, Justin grew up with a passion for art and photography. He studied both at his local university before becoming a wildlife photographer. Soon after he craved worldwide adventures \u2013 professionally and personally. Seven years later, he has cruised to Iceland<\/a>, Greenland<\/a>, Norway<\/a>, Canada<\/a>, the Caribbean<\/a> and Alaska<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to travel and see the world, and then I became quite used to the lifestyle. I enjoy the idea of getting to see a whole bunch of places, and I still have a lot to check off the list.\u201d<\/p>\n Justin initially joined Holland America Line as a photographer before becoming a member of the entertainment team. Though he teaches art and crafts, you\u2019ll also find him hosting game shows or hitting the dance floor at the Orange Party. When he\u2019s not entertaining guests, you may find him diving into a good book or enjoying a hike with his camera in hand.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Recognizing the importance of photos in documenting vacation adventures, we asked him to share a few tips.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile you do need to develop your skills with a quick trigger finger and good eye, the tool does make a difference,\u201d he said. \u201cFor example, if you\u2019re in Glacier Bay<\/a> on an Alaska cruise, you\u2019re surrounded by a lot of great wildlife<\/a>. If you don\u2019t have a 200 mm lens in front of your camera sensor, it\u2019s going to be difficult. You\u2019re going to end up with some really beautiful pixels though,\u201d he said jokingly.<\/p>\n His first tip is to have the right camera equipment for the photos you plan on taking. Next is knowing the basics of getting a good shot, from lighting and angle to photo style. If it\u2019s a still shot with wildlife, patience is key. If it\u2019s an action shot, which is the photo style he enjoys the most in Alaska, then a good lens will be important.<\/p>\n \u201cThe eagles are really enjoyable to photograph. If you have a good-sized lens, you can get some really nice shots of them flying around, but that\u2019s a completely different animal to photograph, so to speak, to something sitting out there in the middle of the savannah,\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n As much as Justin loves the arts, there\u2019s one thing he loves more: people. Whether it\u2019s meeting guests or bonding with the crew, he cares about helping others make memories that will last a lifetime.<\/p>\n \u201cThe best part is the travel and the friends you make, and I\u2019ve made a lot of friends along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n Now for a Quick Cruise Q&A with Justin: <\/strong><\/p>\n Favorite art and craft activity:<\/em> Origami.<\/p>\n Favorite wildlife:<\/em> \u201cBears in Alaska \u2013 it\u2019s always exciting when you see them.\u201d<\/p>\n Favorite onboard event:<\/em> Live music.<\/p>\n Best part of celebrating Holland America Line\u2019s 150th<\/sup> anniversary<\/em>: \u201cI\u2019ve always found it really enjoyable to watch Origin Story,\u201d a presentation guests can view at the beginning of our cruises. \u201cWe\u2019ve got a cool history, and it\u2019s interesting to see where we\u2019ve come from. I also love a good excuse for a party, and what better excuse than that?!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div>Bring color to canvas with the stroke of a brush.<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>