2020 will be an interesting year. Up to this point, everything has been kind of laid out before me. For the last 16 years, the path was always clear. In elementary school, I knew what lay ahead. In middle school, I knew what lay ahead. In high school, I was just working to get into a good college. And up to now, every year in college led to another year in college. But now…what? What’s next? Where do I go, what do I do, how do I get there. In the face of uncertainty, I’m left scrambling for some sense of direction, something concrete, something I can fully control in this transition. That brings me here, putting words to paper, as I outline my goals for my work this year. In this way I have something to work towards, something challenging but constant.
Produce something I can be proud of every week. It can be so easy for me to fall into a creative slump, wanting so badly to shoot but not actually going out and just doing it.
Work with as many creators as possible. Reach out to more photographers, videographers, and models, learn from each other, and create something we can all be proud of.
Branch out more in my work, push myself to learn new areas of the craft. There are so many techniques within and outside the genre I currently do that I want to learn.
Use the gear I have. I’m always on the lookout for new bodies, lenses, and accessories. I spend more time online shopping than I do out in the field using the gear collecting dust on the shelf.
Shoot more film. As mentioned, I have many cameras, most of them film, but I only really use one or two, and even those don’t get out much. That needs to change.
Be proud of my work. I’m tired of comparing myself to others. My progress in the last two years has been huge, and I need to remember that. I believe in what I do, and there’s nothing wrong with that.