Updates

The end of the year is upon us. This time of year is always busy for most, and it is also a time for gratitude and reflection. I will publish a reflection of this last year very soon, as I have big plans for future releases in this upcoming year, but I want to use this Newsletter to focus on one more photo series. A photo series about Gratitude.

I don't want to come off as if everything went perfect. I will be honest, this last photo series was a struggle to get done. With the timeline of the end of the year, it was a squeeze to get in. On top of that, I am tired, as I am sure as a lot of you are. I struggled with motivation and inspiration for this last series. 

I look back on this last photo series seeing that it isn't my best work, but I am still proud and grateful because I still went out and photographed. I made photography a part of who I am, rather than a partial hobby. With that, I understand that I am not going to make the best work all of the time. What matters is that I am still making work. On top of that, I may look back and not be as connected to these photographs, but some of you might really resonate with them, and that is the beauty of art. That being said, there are still photographs I am happy with, and I am proud to have taken all of them.

I have rambled long enough. Let's get on with the photo series, and lets take a dive into a different approach to Gratitude.

This was one of those photo series that did not go the way I originally thought it would. That is due to many factors, but the main one being time. I took the time I had, and made the most of it. The first couple of photos are just some plants I found myself staring at. I took time to stop what I was doing, and be grateful for the way the light was hitting it. I took time to "smell the roses" as it were, and I am grateful something I stumbled upon.

Next, I had to include a holiday themed picture. This was taken while I was busy doing other things, but I still took a moment to appreciate the composition and colors of this scene.

This next image was taken at the beginning of the photo series. I had no idea what I wanted the theme to be yet in all transparency. It was the middle of the evening and there was a lamp shining on some leaves. I thought that brought some cool contrast, so I took the shot and put it in black and white to make the contrast the star player.

This wouldn't be a gratitude series if I didn't include some images of my favorite people in the world. Becca and Benji have been there for me this entire year, and have kept me going with creative projects like this. I want to take a moment and say I am grateful for you both. You both help me see the beauty in this world that I want to capture.

Now let's talk about food. There have been two big foods that I have been grateful for this month, and that was sushi, and Boom Town Ice cream.

I am not the biggest sushi guy. That is mainly due to my shellfish allergy. I have never been opposed per se, I just don't search out for it. That is until by buddy Benji took me to Sushi Neko. I had sushi I didn't even know existed, including nigiri (the fancy sushi you see in movies and tv where it is just raw fish on top of rice). Benji guided me to this wonderful new world, and it was so awesome that I took Becca to Sushi Neko on my birthday, and we had a wonderful time. Moving into 2025, we have decided to have a regular sushi making night at home. I am grateful for these experiences, and this awesome food item.

Boom Town creamery was game changing. If you haven't gone yet, go. They are a local creamery that makes their own ice creams and I discovered them with my friend Nathan. We went to one because we saw it one night, and now it is a favorite of my household. One of my favorite flavors is their Breakfalicious, their breakfast cereal ice cream. It may sound gross, and it may look gross with the fruit loops embedded in it, but take my word for it, it is life changing.

I took a couple gym shots just because I stayed consistent with it this last month, despite the holidays, and despite my broken foot for the majority of the month. Some days were a struggle, and some days I barely made it in the door, but I was consistently there. I am proud and grateful to have gotten to this point in my health journey.

Next, let's talk about some things I carry with me everyday that I am grateful for.

First is the notebook I carry with me everyday. This image is kind of deceptive, because there a two notebooks here, one is inside the other. The first (the one with the green cover that is pictured) is used for my photography ideas and notes. If I am reading a book, watching a video, or have an idea and I want to take notes or draw something out, I put it in here. The second notebook is a small Field Notes I keep packaged with the main one. I use that for my daily log, to track tasks, habits, and gratitude. For example, sending this out will be one of my gratitude entries today.

The second thing I always have on me (other than my camera) is my secondary camera that also acts as an instant printer. This is great because I have a fun camera I can hand to a friend if I want to go out and photograph with them. Though this is a fun use of it, I mainly use it to print off photos I take with my main camera.

This is one of my favorite things to do. If I am out and about and I photograph a stranger doing their passion, or a friend while out and about, I print it off and give it to them. This is my way of showing my gratitude to them for contributing to a moment I wanted to capture. Some of my favorite photographic memories is giving these little gifts. In 2025, I am planning on doing some sort of series with this, either a photo series, or turning it into a video/blog.

Lastly, here are some final nature shots I got in between clients as everyone was rushing to get Christmas photos, or some shots I got while out and about. 

One last note, that first goose, labeled Him, we are not friends. He is infamous in the Edmond area for being an absolute fiend. One day we will have a glorious battle, but until then, I will capture glorious photographs.

See You Next Time!

As one final token of Gratitude, I want to thank YOU. I want to remind you all that these photo series, this whole creative endeavor started only this year, and it is because of you all that I am going to continue in 2025. I have big plans to add to this. I want to continue to share the art of photography, and I want to have more fun with it. With that being said, it might look different next year. I will cover that in my reflection of 2024 post though, so stay "posted". Haha.

I hope everyone had the most amazing holidays, and will have an amazing New Year. I will see you all in 2025!