Every. Day.


With my recent project of photographing every day, people have been seeing me with my camera more and more. I have received some questions about it, and some people have been surprised that I literally have a camera on me at ALL TIMES. In this blog, I want to take a quick moment and let you all in on the why.

Silhouette of tall windmill against dramatic cloudy sky with water reflecting below.

Dedicated Tool


The first, and probably the most obvious, is that I want to be in a constant state of creating. As a photographer, and especially with this current project, my goal is to enhance my craft. Just like how it isn't easy to create a painting without paint, it is kinda hard to photograph without a camera. Fortunately, with this craft, I always have a camera on me no matter what (my phone), but if you know me, you know I look to have specific tools for specific purposes. I carry a paper pocket notebook everywhere that has my daily tasks, I wear a watch to tell me the time, and I choose to carry a DEDICATED camera for my art. This gives me a specific tool I enjoy using rather than potentially getting distracted by my phone. It adds a level of intention that I think is important in art. Everyone can get lucky with a piece or photo, but I want to get to the point where I am frequently creating good work on purpose and with purpose.

Black and white image of barber shop scene with customer getting groomed.

To Be "That Guy"


Some may view this as cringey or whatever, but I take pride in it. I love being "that guy" within my friend group or in a social setting. I love being the guy who always has a camera on him and loves to take pictures of the people around him. Sure, "that guy" can get annoying, I try not to get that annoying haha.


In all seriousness, this is kinda important. Have you ever had a great night with friends and only had the memories in your mind to remember it by? No one took photos or recorded it in any way, therefore, that night only lives on in the minds of those who were there (and/or those who can remember it). That is unreliable, and eventually it will be forgotten. As "that guy" I make sure our stories are documented (for better or for worse), and they live on. We are able to recollect over the memories together years later.


Also, if it is a surprise milestone social event, I am there to document it! Phone photos are fine, but they always get lost and most likely are never seen again until you go through your phone to clean up your photos app. I like to give something more artistic, something with intention behind it, so people FEEL something from the photograph rather than just having a picture of a bunch of people together.


Overall, I enjoy being "that guy". I am not sure if all my friends have gotten used to it, but those that have seem grateful I am there to document our lives together.

Bearded man in glasses and tattoos holds item while standing at bar counter.

Capturing The Moments


The biggest reason I ALWAYS have a camera on me is that I don't want to miss "those moments". You know, those beautiful moments that take you out of stressing about your day. The moments that make you stop and breathe to take it in. The moments when the wind moves the leaves just right and the light is sparkling through, or you see a ray of sunshine through a window and it gives you a peaceful feeling of stillness. The moments where the birds stop and rest, or the squirrel finds a nut he buried a little bit ago. The moments when you see people on the street who embrace in such a raw and passionate way as if they haven't seen each other in years. The moments that make you feel something. My job as a photographer is to capture those moments. To document them. To let others see them and feel them as I did WITHIN the moment.


I have found something interesting about these moments: they happen more than you think. It has been a weird phenomenon when I put down my distractions, and I pick up my camera intentionally, and I am just trying to be aware of these moments, they present themselves. It is this that makes life beautiful in my opinion, and it is these moments that remind me that life isn't as bad as we are always told. I think that is important in this current world. Because of this, I have a responsibility to share these moments, and I need my camera to do so.

Black and white landscape of rushing water with bare trees and rocky shore.

That's It, For Now

This was just a quick entry on my part. I like sitting down and just writing some thoughts and sharing them with you all (even if I will regret it later). There are probably a ton of reasons I could write down for carrying a camera every day. I could pull the influencer move right now and tell you why (*in a salesman voice) you should carry a camera with you every day too!!! But that would be bogus. You gotta do what you gotta do to live and remember the life that you want to live. So just be you, all I ask is don't get too weirded out if you see me with a camera next time we hang out ;)