Traveling Is Noticing. The art of presence on the road with Kirill Sulyga

Kirill Sulyga believes it’s about catching these moments as they unfold naturally. He has been capturing them through the lens of his camera for the past 15 years, traveling across the globe - from Australia through South America to Asia. But it’s not a nomadic lifestyle; it’s much more - a way of being that proves the metaphor of life as a journey will never grow old. Recently, together with his wife Alisa, he founded Boon Concepts - a platform promoting conscious living through retreats and education. We spoke on the occasion of his visit to Warsaw - not his first, because it’s important to return to places that remain familiar despite their constant change.

What’s your first memory of travel?

It was probably a trip to Prague - my very first flight. It was an entirely new experience, filled with a sense of mystery and pure curiosity. That feeling of stepping into the unknown - with my eyes wide open and my heart burning with excitement. What’s beautiful is that even today, every new flight feels just as special. I still find myself gazing out of the airplane window, completely mesmerized by the beauty of our planet - its vastness, its landscapes, its skies. I consider all travels truly enriching experiences - some are more active, some are calm, some are purely explorative. But that moment I rose above the clouds and saw the world from an entirely new perspective for the first time in my life has stayed with me ever since.

Do you remember the moment when you started documenting your journeys on camera?

To me, photography and travel intertwine - one has naturally led to the other. I’ve been taking photos for over fifteen years, so in a way, I’ve been documenting my travels from the very beginning. My earliest memories go back to childhood trips with my family to the seaside. I would photograph everything around me with a small compact camera - every wave, every sunset, every moment. My parents noticed my curiosity, that spark, and encouraged it. Later, for New Year’s, they gifted me my first camera - a real DSLR. I’ll be forever grateful for it, as it marked the first step on my creative path.

It truly shows. You have a unique eye for capturing places through nature, design, art, and people, creating a beautiful mosaic of travel. What do you personally look for when you’re on the road?

Thank you. To be honest, I never look for anything in particular. I simply document the power of the moment as it unfolds, right here in the present. That’s what matters most to me - conveying the depth of what I feel, the energy of a place, a person, or a fleeting instant that reveals itself only once.

My approach has always been about being fully attuned to the world around me and capturing that sense of life as it happens, without forcing it or searching for it. I believe it’s less about seeking beauty and more about recognizing it when it quietly appears before you.

Your most recent projects - Boon Concepts and Boon Retreats - focus on another aspect of modern travel: the search for wellbeing, and the need to reconnect with oneself and others. How did the idea come about?

The idea behind Boon was born naturally, as an extension of my lifestyle and values. Together with my partner, we’ve always been inspired by the idea of crafting experiences that bring people closer to themselves and to life. It reflects everything we love - the balance between aesthetics, design, meaning, and human connection. Boon Retreats grew from this vision; it’s about journeys that are not only outward explorations but also inward expeditions. The word “Boon” stands for a blessing, a gift of grace, something sacred that brings goodness into life. And that’s exactly what we strive to capture.

From this foundation came Boon Concepts, an ecosystem that unites all of our directions: Boon Retreats - stays we host in different parts of the world; Boon Education - our online platform for self-discovery, breathwork, and mindful learning; and Boon Home - a collection of curated objects such as candles or incense, designed to bring peace, beauty, and awareness into daily life.

Do you think the way we travel - and the places we choose to visit- will increasingly focus on wellness?

The world is constantly changing, and naturally, the way we travel evolves too. I believe that more people are starting to feel the desire to explore the world. Today, travel is no longer just about movement - it’s about expansion: of our consciousness and of how deeply we experience life. For this reason, I’m certain that the future of travel is heading in this direction - towards journeys that bring awareness, presence, and a sense of harmony, not just beauty or comfort.

So, what’s on your travel bucket list, then?

Firstly, it’s not a destination but the feeling - the absolute freedom to go anywhere I feel drawn to. That’s a travel dream I hope to live by. Over the past eight years, I’ve had the privilege of traveling extensively - across North and South America, throughout Asia, and in Australia. Just this spring, I visited Japan and fulfilled one of my longtime dreams. Of course, there are still places I haven’t seen yet: Nepal, New Zealand, Antarctica. There are new countries I wish to explore, but there are also many places I would love to return to - those that deeply inspired me and still hold a special place in my heart.

You mentioned once that you’re growing increasingly fond of Warsaw. What do you find most interesting about the city?

Generally, I’m drawn to places where you can enjoy good food, a specialty coffee or matcha, relax in nature, or simply wander through quiet streets and feel replenished by the atmosphere. I truly enjoy Warsaw, and staying at PURO is part of that experience - it’s one of those spaces that makes you want to create, dream, and linger. But what I appreciate most about the city is that it’s always in motion, constantly evolving and thriving on creative energy. I love this sense of movement - the feeling that it never stands still.