It’s almost the end of the year. Are you feeling the drama yet? This time of year is a time that lends itself to thinking about work we’ve done, work we wanted to do, shots we’ve taken, maybe some we’ve missed. For some reason, photographers are a very introspective bunch and we tend to use the end of the year to really take stock of where we are, who we are, how our voices and visions are aligning, and where we want to go next. Like most photographers, I’m not immune to these annual pangs of retrospection. I anticipate a host of end of the year posts, a recap and highlight reel if you will of where I’ve been, where I want to go, and the like.
For me, this year took some really unexpected turns (who ever thought I would drop twenty pounds and wind up in China? Show of hands, please…yeah, I thought not. Honestly, last January that was the farthest thing from my mind.) One thing I guess you could say I have learned the hard way is that, well, I’ve grown to expect the unexpected. Photography is a wonderful gift. I’ve often said it pays me in ways I sometimes even fail to grasp. It has allowed me to travel to remote continents, places I’d never even dreamed I would go, meet wonderful people, share interesting journeys, and bring home captured memories. That’s a lot to pack into a carry-on bag, really it is.
Sometimes, I hesitate participating in these typical end of the year round ups because I know, deep in my heart you could say I’ve grown to expect, I really don’t know what tomorrow has in store. In many ways, I’ve learned to trust the process and have grown to expect, actually embrace, the unexpected. It’s the fun in life, right? Photography is a wild ride and I’m hanging onto it for all it’s worth. So, bottom line, yes, I’ll probably do my own little, “Best of 2017” yada yada and, yes, I’ll probably even get corralled into doing at least one, “next year I see myself…” but, honestly, I’ve no earthly clue what next year has in store for me. I have some ideas, some directions I think I might like to go but I’ve learned there are many twists and turns down this journey and, at this point anyway, I accept the path. It’s my unique journey and I would not have it any other way.
I do hope 2018 finds you in good spirits, good health, and in a good photographic place. I hope you enjoy your own personal journey as much as I try to enjoy mine. I do expect to continue with my usual series here, including my popular Opportunity Weekend as well as any Notes from the Road should I happen to travel (well, you know I do happen to travel.)
Until next time…
