Happy Holidays to you and all of your loved ones! You are probably getting busy preparing for the next couple of weeks of holiday celebrations, either with family, friends or sticking close to home because of the ongoing virus, so I’ll keep this brief. Please know that I’m sending you all the best wishes and good energy I can for a wonderful holiday season and great start to the new year.
As many do during this time of year, I am reflecting back on the past year and counting my blessings and recognizing my gratitude for the life I have. You can always find something positive in every situation if you look closely enough and that is something I try to practice every day. If not something positive, then you can at least find something to be grateful for….even if it’s just an experience that you can be grateful for….there’s always something.
This has been an amazing year for all of us, me included, and I’m so grateful for all that I’ve been blessed with this year. Despite trying to grow a business during a pandemic with heavy travel restrictions, I was able to run photo workshops this year to some beautiful locations. During these I rekindled existing friendships as well as met a lot of new wonderful friends. Making connections to people, sharing the beauty of our world, making art and feeling the creative juices flow…that’s why I do what I do and I love every minute of it. It’s not easy and definitely not as glamorous as some think, but it is so rich and rewarding and greatly enhances the quality of life. I just returned from Grand Teton National Park, the last workshop of the year, and had an amazing time with a great group of folks who all came away with some amazing images. Stay tuned for a detailed write-up of that workshop along with lots of images and video.
My life this year has been dominated by an event beyond our control….a tree falling on our house that displaced us from our home. We’ve been living in an apartment for the last 5 months and have a few more to go. I had to create a makeshift workspace in the dining room while my wife works from home 15 feet away in the living room. Plus, two kids and a dog and it’s been an interesting experience trying to stay creative and motivated with so much other foundational things going on in life. In a weird way though, I am somewhat thankful for this experience because a) our house will be renovated and upgraded when we move back in so it will be like a new home for us. b) this has taught me additional lessons about being creative during stressful situations, making due with less and persevering in my art through hard times and c) strengthening our family bond having to endure a shared traumatic experience and the fall out together (without killing each other in this small apartment) So during these holidays, even when trying to have “normal” holiday celebrations in abnormal situations, I am thankful for all that I have and my beautiful family around me.
I have many exciting workshops on the schedule for 2022 and I’m already working on bringing some new workshops onboard for 2023. The future looks positive, but I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself here. I’m focused on being present in the moment this year and enjoying all that life has to offer in the here and now. I hope that you can relax and be in the moment with your loved ones and just enjoy the spirit of the holidays. If nothing else, grab your favorite beverage and put on some good music and fall in to the rhythms and let go of whatever stresses you may have.
For me, photography is not about the gear or going to amazing locations. It is about the EXPERIENCE, about the CREATIVE PROCESS and about CONNECTING (with nature or others). Images are just a result of those things, not the ultimate prize. It’s the process that I value most, not the final outcome. The same is true about life in general. Enjoying the journey of life, finding something fulfilling and making amazing connections with family and friends. Those are the things that, to me, are most important in life. Remember, it’s not the destination that matters, it’s the journey that is filled with richness, every single day.
With that, as I said, I’ll keep this short. With all I have, I want to wish you and yours a very happy holidays. May your days be filled with smiles, happiness and good energy. All the best from me to you and I do look forward to connecting with you in 2022!
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