Here we are. About one year since I last sat down and wrote anything for my website.
It's been a crazy twelve months to say the least [and the world sighs in agreement]. On this cold, dark winter morning, somewhere between The Smith's poppy melancholy lyrics and my 5th shot of espresso, I feel a little jazzed to type up my year-end review.
Despite the pandemic and so many other things happening, I've had one of my most successful years as a photographer. Working with some of the best clients I could ask for, I felt more recognized for my photography work and life-long learned skills in the backcountry/high angle terrain than ever. Spending multiple days shooting product and sports in a myriad of environments alongside talented teams of models, athletes, and crew cemented so much of what I've always hoped my photography would take me. I feel so fortunate to have worked with global and local brands, publications, tourism businesses, non-profits, and private clients this year.
With all the work and time behind the lens, I also made the departure from my trusted Canon 5D series, jumping headfirst into their new R5. I had so much reluctancy in moving to mirrorless, as they say "we fear what we don't understand." The move proved to be quite a massive jump in technological and image quality. My gluttony for pixels and the low light performance, as well as being able to shoot still images almost as fast as a movie sealed the deal for me. And I shouldn't get started on the glass. I have one of those fascinations with lens glass like some kind of deep rooted fetish I can't explain. Ok, fetish is a bit weird but you hopefully get the idea.
In other happenings this year, my work as a sales rep and ambassador for f-stop Gear has been consistently growing and I'm looking forward to spreading that growth across the west coast. The f-stop family has been one of incredible support and direction, and I'm so proud to be able to represent them. On another facet to the year, I've been recently inducted into the Board of Directors of the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC). I've been working with NWAC as a photographer and fundraising advocate for over 10 years, so I'm looking forward to working with them in a deeper capacity.
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But between the field work, keeping my gear dry, fingers from freezing off, as well as seemingly endless days and nights of staring at the monitor editing thousands upon thousands of images, I reveled so much of what life truly means to me: spending time with my family. We traveled together on many trips and added more gear and adventures to our arsenal of things to do. Seeing my son growing into all the sports I've introduced him to since he learned to walk has been pretty cool- just the changes in the last year has been huge...I think he's already a teenager mentally, 6 years early. Most recently, we grew our family by a member and adopted Ziggy. A Jack/Parson Russell Terrier mutt rescue from Texas!
Over the next few months, I hope to start posting more how-to's, product reviews, as well as behind the scenes of my life as a photographer, adventurer, and father. 2021 was a pretty heavy year with a lot of realizations and thoughts towards where things are and where they can go. For 2022, I have many exciting things to try, and think a lot in general, is going to change.