Thoughts & Perspective
Camera Took a Backseat
It wasn’t intentional and I didn’t step away from photography, but rather, I’ve been caught up in something just as important: Life.
Over the past year my career has taken the front seat, demanding more of my focus and energy. At the same time, I’ve been traveling almost every month, visiting new places and revisiting old favorites. Instead of meticulously planning shots and chasing scenes, I found myself more drawn to the experiences - the meals shared with my wife, unplanned moments, and just being present. Photography has always been about storytelling for me, capturing scenes and candid moments. Lately, those very same stories have felt just as valuable without a camera in hand.
I have no doubt that my camera will start to feel like an extension of me again, but for now, I’m just appreciating the memories as they happen. Caught the scene below outside St. Thomas during my very first cruise, sailing on Wonder of the Seas with Royal Caribbean.
Two Months Flew By!
I intended to post something once a month at minimum to try to keep a log of all that I am doing with photography. I haven't wrote anything since August for the good reason of being busy both at work and with various photography projects. I recently organized my Lightroom catalog to align with the portfolio that I keep in Google Drive, that being said I’ve narrowed to a list of the various types of photography I have worked through since truly getting started back in August 2023:
Landscape & Travel
Street & Candid
Portrait & Family Portrait
Engagement & Wedding
Floral
Sports
Concert
Wildlife
I've enjoyed them all and I have no favorites, they have each challenged me in different ways and forced me to learn new things about the way I want to approach my passion for photography. I've also kept the focus on the art and have refused to take any money for projects, not because my work is unworthy but because I get value out of others enjoying what I've created.
Here are some images from the last couple months that include visits to Block Island, RI and Portland, ME:
Wedding Photography
Trying to post here at least once a month, I’d really like to keep this as a journal of what is going on photography-wise.
Through a friend at work, I was given an opportunity to shoot a wedding earlier this month and the experience was incredible! I worked with the couple a few days before the wedding and it was fun combining portrait and landscape photography. This month has been spent culling/editing photos, among just plain being busy at work.
The photo below was my very first “vendor meal” that I texted to my wife proud of the day of shooting behind me.
Concert Photography: Mile Marker Zero
An interesting month for photography, and it all started with attending my friend’s Progressive Rock concert. His band released their new album “Coming of Age”
Mike Marker Zero creates a multi-layered approach of combining the classic progressive rock of bands like Rush, with Modern Rock of bands like Muse. Mile Marker Zero were the first unsigned band to be in the popular Rock Band Video game and were the New England Music Award winners for Best in State (Connecticut).
Back to photography… I found it extremely challenging to shoot in these lower light conditions with constant moving light directed at my lens. My goal was to capture each band member individually as well as full group shots including some crowd. The venue requested that I did not use flash so that was out immediately and I thought I would make it work with lower aperture settings (f2.8).
Roxy in Boston: A Collaboration
I think I’m figuring this blog out, maybe? I have no goals or strategy as this whole website is really just for me, and I guess for you if you’re reading this. The blog can be a diary to myself centered on photography, so I can revisit my thoughts or just take a trip down memory lane (if I keep updating it).
Anyway, this is Roxy and I met her on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston back in May. I was taking candids in the area and noticed her outfit but she notice my lens (70-200mm) at the same time so we started chatting. She had just come from a shoot as she models for various photographers and is building her own portfolio. We planned to meet again, I was excited to add a new theme to my gallery without straying far from my focus of shooting scenes.
I called this series “Roxy in Boston” which is a little generic, but I’m still in my first year and naming art isn’t something I care to think much about at this point.
Street Photography/Candids
I’m not quite sure what about my recent travels in Europe changed about my style of photography, but I’ve been more into Street Photography and capturing people doing everyday ordinary things. Some mornings before work, I’ll head over to the Public Garden or just take a walk around Boston looking for interesting scenes. I feel a small level of awkwardness in taking people’s photo without their permission, but the majority of them get a business card from me with the offer to send them the photo if they are interested in seeing it (about 50% of people reach out). Wanted to share some of my favorite recent candids…
Planning the Shot
A question I received recently: “Did you create a shot list before traveling?”
The answer, yes and no. Before heading to a new area, I do my research via Instagram and Google to see what photographers who came before me have done. I’m interested in the what they found interesting and whether it would align with my portfolio. Secondly, I’m looking for varying vantage points of the “obvious shots” to give me a lay of the land from an artistic perspective before arriving.
The obvious shots = Major Landmarks, so when traveling to London:
Big Ben
Tower Bridge
London Eye
Buckingham Palace
Westminster Abbey
I knew I wanted to capture these locations ahead of time, but with cities I enjoy traveling around with camera at the ready letting my eye find the subject and composition. Granted one of my favorite shots from London was Tower Bridge (two perspectives), but the other was from a random morning boat ride down the Thames where I captured a moody Millennium Bridge (the bridge from Harry Potter). I was also pleased with my perspective of Big Ben!
I'd love for all of my shots to be unique, but that will never truly be the case. There is uniqueness in editing, if 20 photographers took the exact same shot you’d end up with 20 different final versions.
Macro Is Fun!
I was invited to go on a photographer meetup involving shooting around Boston, specifically involving macro photography. I’d never been part of a meetup before, but I see them via Instagram and have been part of many failed attempts. The very first thing that came to mind was that I’d never shot macro before, and I don’t have the right lens in order to do so successful (instant purchase). I bought an 85MM F2 Macro lens and started practicing in the kitchen, where all great tests have taken place in the past. Yesterday I was ready to take what I had quickly learned from TikTok out into the real world and headed to the Boston Public Garden to photograph the Tulips. Macro is a bit challenging, but a tone of fun! I really love the attention to detail you are able to capture, and it maximizes your observation senses.
Unfortunately, I cannot attend the upcoming meetup because I’m heading home for Mother’s Day Weekend - Happy to have picked up a new skill though!
People of Keukenhof
My wife and I planned our trip abroad aligned to visit the bloom of Keukenhof (also known as the Garden of Europe), one of the world's largest flower gardens situated in the municipality of Lisse, in the Netherlands. An exciting experience to walk among the flowers, in an area designed with a little something for every type of person from flower enthusiasts, photographers, social media influencers, families, and more.
I traveled with both of my cameras, one set up for wide angle (24-70mm) and the other for tighter shots (70-200mm) so there were many opportunities to capture the gardens. Though I feel I captured the area well, I actually found the people as the most interesting subject matter to for some fun candids - essentially a version of street photography in a silo.
Editing is a Moving Target
The topic of editing is always an interesting conversation both between photographers and with those who are not. I wanted to talk about my approach to editing because I think I understand it (not that I was trying to figure it out necessarily).
I believe my style is to keep my photos closer to natural by marginally reinforcing what is already there:
If there are clouds in the sky, I want to show the viewer how they etch within one another showing bits of sky in between and around.
When there is color, I want to enhance it where it makes sense - just because the grass is green doesn't mean I want it to play a primary role
Reinforcing texture in stone, sticks, bricks, and clothing
Mood has begun to play a common theme in my photos this year, certain color tones and emphasizing shadows - not for ever scene
I'm certain my style will evolve over time, and it's the reason I don't want to go looking for it vs just let it be what it is.
I created a Website…
Just two days back from a trip abroad visiting London and Amsterdam, I had many opportunities to shoot everyday for the past 7 days! Before the trip I had taken a brief hiatus to focus more on my career and give my creative mind a rest before exploring a new area. During my visit, I visited Arden Art Gallery in Amsterdam (who’s work I admire very much) and thought about the fact that my work only existed on Instagram. It is not my goal to make money from photography, to be an influencer, or gain any serious notoriety… I just like to take photos and share my art. This website can outlive me, my parents and in-laws can see it, my children can see my work and read this blog.
I’m not sure how long I will keep this up for, but I really love the idea of it.
My wife and I stayed at The Hoxton hotel on Herengracht in Amsterdam (Shown on the left)