2025, Here We Are


If you didn't read my last blog, I will catch you up. Moving forward in 2025, I am going to be doing a different approach with Photography. Last year, I started shooting photo series which gave me projects and assignments to complete within a month to send to you all. Though I learned a lot with these projects, I want to pursue something that will get me out shooting even more, but have a more relaxed feel to it. That is when I decided I will shoot every day and post it for a month, just to see how it feels. I am 12 days in, and here is how it's going.

Vintage red Midtown sign against a pink sunset sky.

12 Days In


To answer the question, it's going good! I already carried my camera with me everyday, so this is a natural progression. I find myself enjoying photography more so far this year. I am finding magic in ordinary scenes. This project is making me more confident as a photographer because I am not depending on specific circumstances. At times I capitalize on awesome opportunities, like a city wide snow ball fight. Other times, when nothing super cool is happening, I just go out and make art.


This project is reminding me where I need to put my value. Taking awesome photographs is an amazing feeling, but the end product won't get me to where I want to be. This whole project is teaching me consistency. I am becoming more consistent as a photographer, no matter the circumstances.

People playing and having fun in the snow during a winter storm.

Identity


The last thing I want to touch on in this blog is it is teaching me about identity. I have been doing research into goals, productivity, all that boring stuff. One thing I am taking away though is that if you want something to change, you have to change how you view your identity. For instance, if someone who wants to quit smoking is offered a cigarette, instead of turning it down by saying "Nah, I am trying to quit", they said, "No thanks, I don't smoke", it has a bigger impact. You are creating an identity and when you do so, the hard actions become a little easier if it aligns with who you want to be.


So who do I want to be? I have been asking myself a lot lately, in the sense of who do I want to be with photography. I have come up with this so far:


I want to be a good photographer. I don't want to be a good family photographer, wedding photographer, product photographer, "Fill in the blank" photographer. I just want to be known for being a good photographer. For knowing and respecting the art. I want to be respected to take good photos no matter what is thrown at me.


How do I achieve this? I don't have all the answers, per se, but I do know shooting more has to be somewhere in the answer sheet. So that is what I will do. My photo projects in 2024 helped me start that. This project will help me be more consistent with it. I am a photographer. Photographing isn't just something I do, it is a part of who I am.


I know I am looking forward to seeing the growth this brings, and I am excited that you all get to join me on this.

Minimalist architectural detail of a white building against bright blue sky.
Spanish colonial style architecture with ornate white and pink details against blue sky.
Palm tree fronds spreading symmetrically against clear blue sky.
Retro turquoise glasses decoration outside a bookstore entrance.
Angel statue illuminated by string lights in a garden at night.
Black and white view of a symmetrical apartment complex courtyard with stairs and balconies.
Stacks of black cardboard storage boxes with comic book and anime character artwork displayed on a retail shelf.
A sleepy long-haired cat rests with a content expression on a dark leather couch in black and white photography.
Dramatic black and white cloudscape with swirling clouds and diffused sunlight creating an ethereal atmosphere.
Street art mural featuring a stylized portrait in blue tones against a geometric background.
Hand-drawn Futurama Bender robot sketch posted on a black surface.
Border Collie wearing a pink jacket playing in the snow on a winter day.
Person enjoying a hot beverage in a cafe setting.
Snowy winter landscape with park bench and bare trees in muted tones.
Person walking through a snow-covered park on a winter day.
Two people play in deep winter snow with sleds near bare trees on a snowy hillside.
A group gathers around a snowman while someone films with a camera on a tripod in the winter.
Two people stand talking in the snow with a modern building in the background.
A winter crowd gathers on a snowy hill while camera crews film the scene.
Person in an orange jacket leaps across snowy ground while others watch from a hill.
People playing and throwing snowballs during a winter snowfall.
Close-up of snow covering fallen autumn leaves near wooden posts.
Holly bush with red berries covered in winter snow.
Espresso machine brewing coffee into a metal pitcher on a dark countertop.
Moon visible in blue sky behind winter trees with reddish branches at sunset.
Closeup of a white vintage bicycle with fenders parked outdoors on a sunny day.
Purple and blue ornamental cabbage plant growing among brown mulch.
Yellow tennis ball against chain link fence on dark court.
Camera lens reflected in car side mirror capturing a self portrait.
Dog waste station sign and disposal bin mounted on brick building wall.
Vintage Midtown neon sign against pink sunset sky.
Minimalist view of red brick building facade against blue cloudy sky.
Chopsticks picking up Asian dumplings with crispy lace and garnish.