04/26/2024
I've been quiet as of late and it's mostly for personal reasons. I just wanted to give an update, a small TedTalk and let everyone know that I'm just going through, mostly, some mental things and that is the reason for my absence. I still take photos. Photography will always be a love of mine. I’ll still do weddings here and there, family photos, seniors and everything in between.
Please, everyone that reads this, just take the dang photo. Don't worry about the camera, don't worry about the lens and don't worry about the focus. We've all been tricked, by the industry, to believe that the latest camera and the sharpest lens will produce the greatest photo. That is false. The photo, no matter what the quality or subject is, will determine greatness. When someone sees a great photo they don’t ask about the camera or lens. They ask about the story. They ask how? Never, ever never, has anyone that's seen an amazing photo and had it truly affect them asked what camera you used...let that sink in.
I have one wedding left this year. After that is over I think I'm selling all of my camera gear except my X100V and my film gear. I want take the next year(s) to strictly shoot what I love and what inspires me while also catering here and there to clients. I've said this far to many times that it's almost become redundant but I never came into this thing for the money. If I had this could have been a career...but I wouldn't sacrifice the love of the art for a paycheck. If I had my heart set on money I could be doing this full time, without a doubt and could have had enough success to only do just this. After a few years I began to realize the shoots that paid aren’t really, at the end of the day, what I want to be doing as a career. Hence my semi removal from the industry. That doesn't mean I didn't work hard and do the best I can at every shoot but when I went home at the end of the day...I’m haven’t felt fulfilled. Being an “artist” is a weird and odd journey. I will still be taking work from previous clients, and new clients, if it works for me. Reach out, ask the questions and be curious. If I think it’s a good fit then let’s make magic. If it’s not for me then I have a laundry list of people that can do just as good, often times better, as me.
I’ve been thinking recently at my career thus far and there’s a part of me that is sad. I thought I could make this career come to fruition and make an HONEST living out of it. Currently, that’s not the case. Because of my own choices and feelings towards my work and I’m learning to accept that. There’s also a part of me that says, you’re 34, don’t be an idiot. You’ve traveled the entire country, you’ve taken photos in the style you want for so many couples/families and you were able to keep a roof over your head, food on the table and doing that all while being a father and husband (not always the best but I’ve tried). I think success at the end of the day looks a lot different for many people. I’m okay with not being great. I’m okay with probably or possibly not making it. I’ve become more and more self aware that I’m here for my kids to make it. I’m here to push my kids and be that motivater and inspiration that they need. Slowly…I’m becoming more and more okay with that 😎🙏🏼📷…….Agape Love
