I’ve been thinking about putting a Safe Gvrd skin on my Leica SL3, not in the precious, bubble-wrap sense, but in the this thing actually lives with me sense. Cameras aren’t museum pieces. They’re meant to be used as intended.

I’ve always believed that tools should feel personal. When a camera looks right in your hands, when it feels like yours, you’re more inclined to take it out, to push it, to use it without hesitation. So yeah, protection is the excuse but the truth is, I like the idea of my SL3 looking less pristine and more honest. Less showroom. More story.

With the right colorway, a skin from Safe Gvrd doesn’t just protect the SL3, it gives it attitude which I’ve been strongly considering, although I’ll admit I’ll probably have to have my brother install it because I immediately know I don’t have the patience that type of intricate installation.

Came across one of those quotes today that stops you mid-scroll. You read it a few times, not because it’s deep or clever, but because it’s real, a reminder of something you already knew, but didn’t want to say out loud.

What you do in private eventually shows in public. The books you read show up in conversations. Your diet shows in your energy. Your discipline shows in your confidence. Your focus shows in your results. You are shaped by what you do when no one’s watching. Prioritize your time. Choose discipline. Choose consistency.

I recently had the chance to photograph Jimmy Moe Money in the studio, someone I’d first met over the summer while shooting boxing matches in Brooklyn. Even then, he stood out immediately: face tattoos, gold grills, and a kind of presence that just draws the camera in.

Sometimes I build moodboards just for my own creative curiosity, these visual notes of lighting, tones, and energy I’d like to explore. Every now and then, someone crosses my path who feels like they could’ve stepped right out of one of those boards. When that happens, and if I’m lucky, I get to make it real and this was the case here.

For this session, I photographed with the Leica SL3, my usual choice in the studio. It handles light beautifully, especially when the goal is to capture both raw and subtlety in a portrait. Jimmy brought his full self to the shoot, and hopefully the images reflect exactly why he caught my eye in the first place.

I feel a Leica is not a camera you simply purchase on a whim; to me it feels like a reward for countless hours spent honing your skills. It’s a piece of equipment that becomes a silent partner, a witness to your growth, and a catalyst for always wanting to discover and document more.

No matter how you look at it, a Leica costs a lot of money, and that's a justified price for a camera that you can only truly appreciate if you get a chance to handle and photograph with one. The cost of my Leica Q2 alone deterred me from making the purchase three years ago, but once I did, it turned out to be the best photography investment I've ever made. The greatest camera isn't usually the one you carry with you; rather, it's the one that feels like an extension of your body rather than a burden you have to deal with.

For me, Gajan Balan said it best, “A Leica feels like something that you earn…and you continue to pay your dues by shooting the hell out of it.”

Photography isn’t my main job. It’s a love affair, an obsession, a detour from the structured setting of working in the high-paced world of luxury retail. It offers me solace, a sense of escape beyond the spreadsheets and inventory checks.

Recently, I took a leap and invested in the Leica SL3. Now, I know what you’re thinking: spending a small fortune on a camera when it’s not even your profession? Some might call it madness, a waste of money. But for me, it’s something deeper.

The Leica SL3 is more than just an expensive piece of equipment; it’s an investment in my journey, in the stories I chase and people I meet along the way. The shutter makes a distinct sound, but it also impacts how you see because you feel different.

It’s not about chasing fame or racking up Instagram likes; it’s about the pure, unfiltered joy of creating, of seeing the world through a lens that’s not only pricey but that reveals the extraordinary in the ordinary.

When I unboxed the SL3, I felt a weight—not just the physical heft of a finely crafted tool but the significance of what it represented. Sleek, sturdy, and sophisticated – this camera felt like an extension of myself. I questioned whether I had made the right choice with such a significant purchase considering I already own a Sony A7III and a Leica Q2, both of which serve the entire spectrum of what any photographer may want to own. But sometimes, our indulgences take the best of us.

Sure, it’s an expensive indulgence. But isn’t life too short to deny ourselves the things that ignite our passion if you’re in a position to do it? For me, the Leica SL3 is a gateway to creativity, a means to explore, to experiment, to push the boundaries of what I can do. The purchase was also about investing in myself, in my growth as an artist, even if that term feels a bit grandiose for someone who doesn’t do this for a living.

The first photo was a revelation. Not only was it clear and colorful, but the camera also fit into my hands with such ease. It's one of those purchases you didn't know you needed until after you made it and opened the box, so there's no turning back.

The camera has a swivel screen, which is excellent. Somehow, though, I find that I connect more with the essence of photography when I utilize the viewfinder instead, and when I do, I’m reminded that true luxury isn’t found in a store. It’s found in the freedom to pursue what you love, to invest in your passions without reservation.

The SL3 is my ticket to that possibilities, a tool that helps me capture not just images, but the essence of the world as I see it at a much more powerful scale and different perspective than I already do with my Leica Q2.

So, here’s to the Leica SL3, to the stories waiting to be told, and to the belief that investing in our passions is never a waste. It’s a bold statement that our dreams and joys are worth every penny. In the end, it’s not about the cost even though it also is but it's also about the value it brings to our lives. And for me, that value is priceless.

I had a chat with a friend recently that really made me think. She asked me, “Why does so much Leica work look the same?” At first, I was a bit surprised by the question. I could tell she wasn’t being critical, just genuinely curious. Most of the photography she’d seen from Leica users seemed to fall into the same vibe, primarily street photography, with a familiar aesthetic and mood. Knowing Leica’s reputation, I guess she expected to see a wider variety of styles and a bit more risk-taking. Honestly, I totally understood where she was coming from.

Leica has this unmistakable identity. It’s iconic, no doubt, but sometimes I wonder if that iconic status influences how photographers feel they should use the camera. It almost transforms the camera from just a tool into a statement. And I can't help but think that many people end up chasing a certain “look” instead of focusing on the stories they genuinely want to tell.

I’m a Leica shooter myself. I really appreciate its straightforwardness and how it encourages me to be intentional with my photography, even though I don’t own one of the M series models. My work isn’t just about street photography; it usually revolves around documenting my travels or capturing lifestyle shots, whether I’m on location or in the studio. I see the camera as a companion, not a genre.

What I found most valuable about our conversation was that it came from someone who isn't deeply immersed in the photography space. There’s something refreshing about hearing honest observations from people who aren’t caught up in the gear culture, especially in the Leica community. They notice patterns and habits that we, as photographers, often overlook. It serves as a reminder that sometimes the best feedback comes from outside our little bubble, from perspectives that aren’t filtered through technical jargon.

There’s always room to grow and explore, but I try not to let the camera’s reputation steer the direction. The real challenge and joy in using a Leica for me is in using it to say something that feels honest to me, not just what people expect from “a Leica shot.”

My photo archive is important to me. It holds years of work, experiments, and moments I care about. For a long time, I managed with a mix of external drives and cloud backups. It was a patchwork that work but perhaps not very scalable and deep down, I knew it wasn’t enough.

After a lot of research, I finally invested in a Synology DS923+. I considered more affordable NAS options from lesser-known brands, but the more I read, the clearer it became: this wasn’t the area to cut corners. I wanted something reliable and built to last, something that could grow with me as much as my work.

What stood out about Synology was the balance it offers: dependable storage, clean software, and features that feel designed with creators in mind. The DS923+ gives me access to my files from anywhere, streamlines my workflow, and maybe most importantly, gives me peace of mind knowing everything is backed up properly.

I don’t pursue photography professionally, but that doesn’t make my work any less meaningful. Creative work still deserves to be protected. It represents time, growth, and personal investment. Treating it with care isn’t about being a pro, it’s about taking it seriously.

I’ll admit, the technical side of setting up a NAS felt overwhelming at first. I’m not especially tech-savvy, and I wasn’t looking forward to that part. But with a bit of help from ChatGPT and a few incredibly useful YouTube videos, I was able to get everything up and running without much stress. I highly recommend the videos Why You Need a NAS in 2025 by JSL Review and Backup Synology NAS to Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage with Hyper Backup by Pat Patterson.

If you’ve been on the fence, I’ll say this: investing in proper storage isn’t just about gear. It’s a way of valuing your own work and that’s always worth it.

Walk into a public restroom in New York and you’ll see what happens when something is free. The stall doors don’t lock, there’s paper on the floor, maybe a suspicious puddle. It’s nobody’s responsibility, so nobody cares. Free work can feel like that too sometimes.

When you don’t charge, it’s not always seen as generosity. Often, it’s treated like the paper towels on the floor; there, forgettable, easily replaced. But the moment you put a price on your time, people pause. They consider. They ask questions. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they actually show up on time.

It’s not about ego. It’s about energy. Yours. And if you’re not charging for it, someone else is still profiting from it, just not you. Free isn’t bad. But it better have a purpose. Because the second you start valuing your work, so will everyone else.

I love Jerry Salts description on the correlation I never realized existed between these two very demanding roles:

"Being a parent is already very much like being an artist. It means always lugging things around, living in chaos, doing things that are mysterious or impossible or scary. As with art, children can drive you crazy all day, make you wish all this could go away. Then in a single second, at any point, you are redeemed with a moment of intense, transformative love."

To give you quick overview on how I manage being a parent, working a full time job, being a husband and having a creative outlet on the side: It mostly involves a lot of sacrifice on the social aspect. I really don't have much time to spend with friends as I would like. As for the work I do shoot, I attend to it on weekends while editing any of it after 8:30am once the kids have been put to bed. The entire dynamic is a little challenging but I don't think I would have it any other way because it's a routine I've adapted to.

To me, the more important question will never be whether or not your photographs have style, but whether they are yours. Whether they say the things you need in your heart to say, whether they reflect your tastes and opinions and individuality. And if they do those latter things, they will eventually do the former. The reverse is not true.

Think about that for a while, especially in those moments when you find yourself following a trend with your work as oppose to recognizing who you really are.

The situation of boxing in Cartagena is very different today from the way it was when the gym was established in 1986 which is why Gonzalez says that if he lived in that sport he would "die of hunger" - hence why he alternates his passion with welding and blacksmithing work. These side jobs allow him allow to survive.

In addition to photographing, I managed to shoot video with the pocket size Sony RX100 V I typically carry with my for video purposes because I wanted to at least walk away with moving visuals that captured the experience of having seen raw fighters in such a raw setting. View the full gallery!
 

Unlike a writer, there's only so much we can do as photographers with our laptops sitting pleasantly behind a desk. We spend this enormous amount of money on our camera equipment alone for a reason and it’s sure as heck shouldn't be for the purpose of bragging that we own it. There's no way around the fact that a photographer is identified by the work they produce out in the field and not what they daydream about in the comfort of their mind or in their office.

I've been victim of falling into this trap in the past. The value of an idea is not simply having purely conceptualized it. The face value of it lies in the ability to execute it regardless of what comes out on the other end other than knowing that you experimented with something you've been thinking about way too long.

Beginning anything is grueling. Saying that you haven't because you're absolutely busy is worst.

This is not to say I'm not pleased with anything I've photograph thus far but I've noticed that the more I read, the more people I meet the more I discover the type of work I'm drawn to and the more pressure I feel to dedicate time to produce work that's a direct result of my inspiration as oppose to daydreaming too much.

Here's something I'll admit I don't do enough...socialize. Yes, I do realize the importance of it and I do what I can to place myself in situations that allow me to do so but in the end the entire concept of going out to party doesn't appeal to me. I never feel like I'm missing out on anything. Instead, I attempt to focus on things that matter to me so while it may seem like I'm always working I view more as a road that's leading me to something more meaningful rather than trivial things.

Whether it's on his podcast, on Instagram or even through the written word, he's always been very transparent with the up and lows of his career and it's that honestly that's hooked me with paying attention to everything he chooses to share one of which is this video I came across where he mentions how "the creative industry really is a lonely place, especially as a photographer." My only gripe is that I wish it was longer.

I don’t watch a lot of TV. In fact, I can’t recall a show I followed out of sheer entertainment with the exception of NBC’s The Voice a couple years ago.

On any random season, at the beginning, there was no particular artist which stood out yet but the common theme that intrigued me more than the performances was this whole aspect of finding yourself as an artist.

Out of thousands of contestants, none of them would have made it this far if they didn’t have the vocals, the charisma or natural born eagerness to want to be a singer. That’s already a given. What isn’t obvious is in seeing who each of the contestants were artistically yet. At that moment, they sung songs simply because that was the central theme of the show but I failed to see a great deal of uniqueness as far as their delivery.

Regardless of what type of artist you are, personal style is essential if you want to succeed and avoid being labeled as “another performer” or “another” of anything.

Every week the contestants were given different songs to perform and very often it’s not so much about whether they sounded good because in reality they all have amazing distinct voices but the real differentiator came in seeing who was able to personalize something that wasn’t theirs to begin with.

I think we all have heroes and we often aspire perhaps too much to sing, draw, photograph or to do anything like them but that’s not how things work. If you’re serious about wanting to do more with your music or photography or anything, I think we should all be able to easily respond to the question of what specific type of work we genuinely want to create.

It’s not enough to say you want to take photos or that you want to be on a stage. What’s the point of being on a high-rise platform if you’re unsure on what you hope to deliver? I get it. You may not know yet because it is a discovery process which takes time but it’s an ambition we should always have in mind.

The ideal case would be having found your personal style, spend days, weeks or years polishing your craft so well to a point where there will be no one who can possibly create art the way you do. Even then, as a creative, we’re rarely satisfied with just settling with what we’re initially recognized for because there’s always that impetus inside of us to evolve.

You can’t force yourself into working in a certain way. It has to come natural to you and in return, what you yield will be as high caliber as your delivery. As unconventional as Lady Gaga may have seemed at the beginning, she more than anyone knows who she is. Her style defines her and her music classifies her at being the best in her craft.

There’s a certain level of complacency that comes with doing what you’re known and recognized for. It’s safe to the degree that if asked to perform, you’re already acclimated with how you would approach an assignment, what tools you would use and what the end result would potentially look like.

The real question comes on how long we’re willing to either stay on that same lane or if we’re willing to deviate a bit to challenge ourselves creatively and avoid being too predictable.

I personally love discovering creatives who have mastered the art of consistently keep me and their entire audience guessing what else they’re going to come up. There’s always a slight enhancement on every new piece of work they put out. I’m personally comfortable with a particular style of photography but I won’t know anything else unless I’m willing to be braver as Seth Godin says and act more on my ideas as oppose to sitting on them.

I constantly go through moments where I dislike everything I’ve shot. I’m really hard on myself and perhaps I should see it as an opportunity to take more risk.

I’ll include myself in the list of parents who feel their kids has allowed them to become more productive at work because you become incentivized to get more done so that you can head home to attend to your personal life.

On top of that, if you have a passion or dream for something outside of your day job the way photography has been for me then having kids will quickly set your straight the way Michael Thompson describes in how we need to stop thinking having kids will kill your dreams.

He says -

"my kids forced me to ask myself what I really wanted. They helped me to buckle down on my dreams, and slowly, day after day, I started to chip away at them. The compounding affect of doing something daily, if even for a short amount of time, has single-handedly put me in a position where every day I get to do what I want, where I want, with the people I want."

I don't think you have to have kids to reconfigure elements of our life into perspective but the fact that I don't recall much of what I did with my time prior to them says a lot to how my priorities weren't always straight to begin with.

I love Srinivas Rao's description of what it means to live a creative life because it undoubtedly describes my frame of thought on how one's journey from point A to point B is never just movement through space. It's the reason why I don't mind taking the longer or the most populate streets to get anywhere because those are the opportunities where you're likely to find gems that will further your craft and approach to it.

• Spend it on opportunities to learn, to shoot more, and to travel (if that’s your thing)
• Take a workshop or rent a studio for a week and work on your project
• Spend it on a printer or on getting prints made so you can finally hold your work in your hands
• Spend it on books of great photographs and study them

Yes to all of the above! With regard to the traveling suggestion, last week I purchased a one week ticket for January 2020 to El Salvador which is my parent’s native country. I lived there for 5 years between the ages of 12-17 and since them I’ve visited numerous times with family but this time it entails just myself traveling because the primary purpose is to work on a photo project that’s been gnawing at me for the longest.

Total cost of the ticket was $305, the lodging will be at a surf hotel for $85 and overall if I can walk away from everything having spent around $750 on a personal project, I would say that’s still less of what I could have potentially spent on the rest of David’s suggestions.

Linda Lopeke breaks down the 15 factors to consider when you set a price for your work.

Almost every freelancer at one point in their early career has simply winged it when being caught off guard by a potential client by the dreaded question of "how much would you charge for...?" It's paralyzed me in numerous occasions because there's rarely a straightforward answer without first considering a few variables. Rates and fees are not something that should be wung because as Linda states, "pricing is ultimately a mathematical exercise and your testing should ultimately tell you what price is ultimately right."

"One day, my boys will be grown and they will move out to live on their own...we will miss the days, like this one, when toys were left on our steps and our boys were at home in the evenings to play and to laugh and fight about whose turn it is to brush their teeth first...I try to remind myself in those moments of annoyance that the things which frustrate me now will one day be the things I will miss terribly and wish for again."

As a father of a 8 and 5 year old, I can't tell you how often I constantly remind myself of this reality because any parent will tell you that those years go by much faster than you can ever expect unless you take the time to reflect.

...just because I follow someone for their work, doesn't mean I need to follow their day-to-day experience. Meaning, I waste so much watching Stories I have zero affiliation with...because of that, I went through and muted a lot of Instagram Stories.

Try it!

Last year we had such a relaxing and explorative experience in Tulum. We trekked ruins, dived in refreshing cold waters of Cenotes and ate delicious local food that Anthony Bourdain would have unquestionably approved of. Our curiosity to explore served as an impetus for us to cycle from one place to another via $7 a day bike rentals.

Overall, I foresee these micro-escapes necessary and ideal for us to spend more time together as couple because it’s easy to allow the “couple” title to take a backseat to parental responsibilities and work related routines that permeate the majority of our thoughts.

Prior to heading out to Cozumel this year, I had plans about what to do on specific days considering the amount of Trip Advisor research I had done prior. Ultimately we had to improvise upon arrival because for 3 days out of the 5 the weather was against anyone who had fantasized about working up a tan at the beach.

Of course I was bummed about having to experience a typical rainy season in Mexico but I quickly remind myself that while we may have lost sunny days of frolicking in the sun, I should not lose the purpose of the escape to begin with. Sometimes you’ll find yourself in situations where you may not be doing anything exciting worth Instagramming but who you’re spending that time with holds more value. My memories of this escape lives more in my head than they do in my camera.

We actually slept in longer while having conversation with each other afterwards minus the interruption from the kids bursting into our bedroom and forgetting afterwards what we were talking about. We walked aimlessly in Cozumel not compromising our curiosity to explore since we didn’t have to worry whether the kids were bored. We ate delicious charred grilled octopus and lobsters dinners without worrying that they might potentially be nothing that the kids would like from the menu. Everything was solely about Vanessa and I as a couple and while that may come across selfish, I’ve learned that it’s ok sometimes.

I love the way Brad Stulberg eloquently puts it because it's equally a beautiful life-advice metaphor for life in general: 

In the weight room...it’s just you and the bar. You either make the lift or you don’t. If you make it, great. If not, you train more, and try again. Some days it goes well, other days it doesn’t. But over time, it becomes clear that what you get out of yourself is proportionate to the effort you put in. It’s as simple and as hard as that. 

Prior to going on a small getaway with my wife to Cozumel, Mexico in November, I had the opportunity to meet up with Roxie in a part of New York I use to frequent incessantly back in the old Instagram meetup days. It was also my go-to neighborhood to practice street photography because you were never on a shortage of interesting characters to shoot within that gritty backdrop that's always characterized New York neighborhoods.  

As I write this, I'm confident Roxie and I will team up again to shoot but without question she had been the one person I had been wanting to work with because not only is she epic in at what she does in her profession but equally her advise, her perspective and her overall willingness to put out positive vibes within her Instagram has me always coming back to actively listen to everything she has to say.

Head over to the gallery to view the rest of the photos from our shoot. As a quick side note, the bike you see in the photographs is my Super73 bike which I rode from Williamsburg, Brooklyn into the city for our shoot. 

I don’t think I would have met as many people as I have in New York or anywhere had I not viewed my camera as a license or entry point into their lives. It makes a difference when you have something to offer or something for people to see about you prior to even meeting in person. Whether those are photos, writing, art, etc or anything that exist out there in the world where people can evaluate a bit as to whether they can even make the time to meet.

I had reached out to Elsa via Instagram with hopes of working together on a test shoot and in between her busy school schedule , dance practice and work, we literally managed to carve out a 2hr slot in the middle of the day to shoot.

During the Summer, Under Armour filmed a segment featuring Elsa in which they caught a “glimpse of the eight-hour-a-day training sessions that go into perfecting her craft” which was amazing to see. As Elsa says, “in dance, you can’t just wish your way into getting the steps right; you have to put in the time and energy to understand how your body and mind connect with one another.”

To view the rest of the photos from this look with Elsa, feel free to check out the gallery.

Jeven Dovey has compiled some great tips to help you and I overcome that shyness that comes with filming ourselves in public whether it's for vlogging purposes themselves or IG Stories which at this point they're both the same.

I'm heading to El Salvador in January 2020 on a solo photographic adventure and perhaps the idea of being alone will make the process filming myself much easier because there's more time to focus and less compromising.

How often do we daydream of moments to happen in our lives? Regardless of how much we may fantasize about the perfect anything, it really comes down to holding ourselves more accountable to achieving those beautiful moments of bliss that we yearn for.

For example, I’ve visited El Salvador with my family in the past but for the longest I’ve yearned to return on my own or at least just with my wife for an entire week to focus entirely in staying in a well known surf town and carry out a photographic project as if I had been assigned by any of the travel magazines I admire.

I’ve lived in El Salvador, I’m well aware of the customs, the food, the setting but very often there’s been so many compromises between parental responsibilities and what I can do on my own by leaving family behind that I ultimately walk away with “I should’ve” moments which leave me wanting more. Well, I'm finally doing it. Flight and lodging has been booked! To satisfy that desire to explore El Salvador on my own, and to knock out this goal of mine this early in the year is big because as I had mentioned before, I was all talk and very little doing.

This year should be about doing important things that makes us happy. Invest in yourself, spend a good chunk of that time on you.

In this piece entitled The 5 Mindset Shifts Of Becoming A Pro Photographer, he touches on a topic which resonated and has often haunted me in the past. As you begin envisioning your craft as something more than a hobby, there will always be that lack of confidence that will accompany you because you before you can wear proudly the title of introducing yourself as a photographer, you feel that you must know everything first and that’s certainly not the case.

Josh says:

Yes, there are still things to learn, this is true in any profession. That doesn’t mean you aren’t a professional. And the real truth is, all photographers still have things to learn — at every level. Your professionalism starts the minute you declare it, even if you are still learning things. As long as you have the ability to get hired for one thing, that’s being a professional.

It’s no surprise to anyone at work that I’m “passionate” about photography. In fact, I’m the guy most co-workers come to with anything related to the topic. Regardless of how good we may be at our profession, it’s up to us to establish /some/ form of parameters that reminds us that what we do for a living is not the only label that defines us. There’s more to us that just being a friend, a co-worker, a boss, a spouse, a partner, etc. The catch is that it’s up to you to discover and explore what the selfish pursuit is.

From experience, here’s a few reasons I believe you should place emphasis on having something you pursue outside of work for yourself even if it means being selfish at times:

It keeps you curious - what I often observe from people who lack in having an interest outside of work is that there’s limited scope about what they may know other than the task they perform day in and day out because there’s a deficiency in having a curiosity to seek out new information.

My kids assume that adults are inherently predisposed to know everything but obviously that’s not the case. Think about something you’ve always been interested in knowing more about and see where that curiosity leads you. It could involve pottery making, volunteer work, Jiu Jitsu, etc.

For me the way in which I gravitated towards photographing a lot of personal trainers in New York was because I selfishly wanted to learn more about living a healthier active lifestyle and what better way to glean knowledge than from professionals as an adjunct to the self-education I’ve been giving myself.

You’ll never be bored - I honestly can’t recall the last time I felt genuinely bored. My camera has truly been a license to meet people and discover new places without the need of having to board a plane. My mind is constantly churning on what I can do the moment any free time pops up. I have an ongoing list of books to read, topics to write about, Netflix documentaries to satisfy my curiosity, places to eat that it’s all a matter of plucking anything out from that bag to keep me occupied.

Being bored is the equivalent to not knowing what to write about in the sense that if you can’t come up with a topic then you’re more than likely are not being curious enough in anything.

You become comfortable with being on your own - Back when I was single, I cringed at the idea of doing anything social on my own because there’s always that fear of being perceived as a loser. It’s a normal feeling, especially when you’re still in the process of developing that confidence that will eventually make it crystal clear to you that there’s a difference between being lonely and being comfortable with being on your own. There’s the presence of confidence in the latter and not in the former.

It doesn’t bother me spending time on my own, especially on days when my wife is at work, the kids are at school and I happen to have a random day off in the middle of the week. If you’re a parent, you’re well aware that time for yourself is a rarity which you should learn to treasure when it comes along unexpectedly. It’s a healthy component to seek for your our own sanity. Heck, there’s been times when I’ve gone and have brunch or watched a movie on my own and it’s never bothered me.

You’ll become more understanding of what people have going on during their own time - I don’t convene with friends as much as I would like to especially between having parental responsibilities, work, and what mainly occupies the majority of my free time which is my photography.

I have a friend who’s an amazing painter, one who is equally elevating their photography game and another is who pursuing their transition into the personal training business. I can’t ever hold a grudge against them for any missed opportunities we may have for meeting because I’m understanding of their grind because I’m doing the same on my end.

Working is part of your life, but it does not have to consume your WHOLE life hence the my plea to find something that keeps your mind off of work when you’re not there.

Since then, I've equally been hook on her podcast in which she holds honest conversations with successful creative entrepreneurs. On a recent episode, she had the one only Seth Godin and while I highly you recommend you give it a listen, I couldn't help share some of the key takeaways from this episode:

• The question is not, “What am I born to do?” The question is, “How can I be of use?”
• You don’t need to serve the world. What you need is the smallest viable audience, the smallest group of people who can sustain you.
• When you stand for something, now you're off to the races.
• Start where you are. You can't start where you're not. Start with the smallest unit of contribution you can make. Find a piece of possibility. Show up, and repeat.

There was no way I would listed all 30 but if you’re like me who’s wanting to elevate their creative career, I highly suggest you check out his advice for creators because I guarantee more than 25 will resonated with you. I narrowed down my favorite to 6:

• If you only do what you usually do, you’ll never know what you’re capable of doing.
• Be more interested in getting better than you are in getting followers.
• Waiting doesn’t get you closer to success. Starting does.
• The people who already pay attention to you matter more than those who don’t — act accordingly.
• You become a pro by operating like one when you’re an amateur.
• It’s not easy to create something different. That’s why it’s valuable.

When adulthood or just life in general begins to happen, it becomes very easy to allow routines and responsibilities overshadow any shred of curiosity you may have about anything. Your sense of wonder begins to escape and those novel experiences you often daydream about are never given the opportunity to graduate into anything worth bragging about.

For the longest I’ve held on to the prospect of traveling to El Salvador on my own with the sole purpose of dedicating my time to photographing in the quaint surfing town of El Zonte. I may not have had a clear vision for the logistics of certain things other than being cognizant that one’s curiosity will often develop into amazing discoveries and when you add a camera to the mix everything becomes that much more exciting.

As soon as I arrived, immediately dumped my luggage into the hotel room and walked endlessly with an open mind. As the sun was beginning to set and I was heading back to fuel up on dinner, I came across a group of women walking towards me on cloud nine singing as the gorgeous sun was in the process of turning in as much as I was.

 The combination of being a photographer and working in retail is that you’re less likely to be self-conscious in starting a conversation with anyone because you know that your intentions are more about what you can give as oppose to what you can take away.

These are portraits I took of Nette (surf coach), Ligia (yoga instructor) and Genevieve as we talked about life El Salvador especially when it’s not your native country.

When is the best time to go?

El Salvador’s dry season runs between November and April, with a rainy season between May and October. The way Mother Nature has been lately, it’s become difficult to predict what weather could be like but for the most part as a family, we’ve always visited in June which is when the kids are out of school. Another determining factor as to when to go comes down to ticket cost.

On the low end it can run you $325 for round trip from New York or at the high end of $800 depending time of the year you opt to visit and which airline you choose. I really don’t care much about airline amenities since we always carry our own entertainment on the iPad and the same goes with snacks which is why I typically travel through Volaris. It’s inexpensive and it gets you from point A to B and the extra money that one would spend in air flight amenities I would rather conserve it and spend it in El Salvador.

How do I get around?

The one thing I’ll say about car renting, especially when it comes to the majority of American car rental companies such as Alamo, Budget, etc is that like anything American it’s expensive and by the time you tack on all the insurance coverage the cost ends up being more than you anticipated regardless of which way you cut it.

Having done some research, I eventually opted to rent with the fine folks at Lucero Rent a Car who I came across via YouTube. Typically you would expect any rental company to charge a deposit on a major credit card just for security purposes but at Lucero Rent a Car they don’t do that at all. The owner clearly explains that doing so creates a mistrust between them and the client.

In order to reserve the car I was interested in, I reached out to the owner via the WhatsApp number on their website and all he required of me to guarantee that they’ll have the car I wanted waiting for me at the airport was a photo of my passport, my driver’s license and my flight itinerary.

The Ford Focus sedan I rented came up to $130 ($26/day) which I paid him in cash upon arrival at the airport. We inspected the car together, I signed the contract, he handed over the keys and off I went. It was literally that simple and hard to believe.

My only regret was that while the car functioned flawlessly, I should have opted for a 4x4 pickup or at least an all-wheel drive SUV because I spent more time off-road than on beautifully paved highways and there were instances where I feared getting stuck. Food for thought for your future visit and mine. Spend the extra money on a car with higher clearance for that extra piece of mine.

Is it safe?

Nobody ever ask me if New York is safe and while I understand it’s not a comparison to El Salvador the point I’m attempting to make is that there’s no such thing as a *safe* place. It all comes down to you making the right decisions which applies to anywhere you might go. With that being said, there’s certainly parts of El Salvador I wouldn’t travel to at night such as Soyapango or Mexicanos but there’s also places like where I stayed in El Zonte or El Tunco where there’s a beautiful mixture of locals and foreigners living congenially.

All this is to say that having lived in El Salvador for 5 years and continuing to visit family on a yearly basis, we’ve never had a bad experience or have found ourselves in uncomfortable situations. What you see on the news about El Salvador is unfortunately all the bad stuff reported but I dare you to search through YouTube and you’ll discover vlogs from fellow travelers who have nothing but beautiful experiences to share about their visit.

What is there to do?

Wow, where do I begin? For starters, let me refer you to the amazing folks at Tunco Life. They’ve been leading engaging, fun and informative tours from El Tunco beach to all over El Salvador such as the Santa Ana Volcano hike I did or to the amazing Tamanique Waterfalls. I had the pleasure of visiting their main offices in El Tunco and the experience was rather surreal because I have been admiring and following their journey for month via Instagram and to be there in person was a joy.

As a side note, El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America so regardless of the itinerary you build for yourself, there will be time for you to accomplish the majority of it because it’s as easy as driving from point A to point B. This time around I focused more on the surfing culture which I was interested in exploring more of but honestly there’s sightseeing places such as Rutas de Las Flores which I also highly recommend.

How is the food?

This one is easy. It’s cheap and delicious. The cost reminded me a lot like being in Mexico where you’re likely to eat like a king or queen regardless of where you go. There’s always the option spending as little as $3 for breakfast or $10. One thing is for sure, you can’t leave El Salvador without eating a few pupusas which is our version of a taco in the sense that they’re ubiquitous.

A pupusa is essentially a flatbread made with cornmeal or rice flour and it’s usually stuff with one or more ingredients such as cheese, pork, beans or all of the above.

Where do I stay?

Very much like food, where you stay comes down to what your interest is. This time around I was specifically interested in exploring a part of El Salvador I wasn’t familiar with which is the popular and developing surfer village of El Zonte.

Take advantage of Day Passes

The hotel I stayed at during my visit was called Michanti which I highly recommend due to it’s chill vibe, hospitable staff, affordable price, and proximity to the beach. In spite of all that, I didn’t spend as much time in the hotel because I took advantage of the fact that you’re able to visit other nearby hotels via Day Passes which was amazing. There’s several to choose from some of which I visited and others that remained on my must-visit list.

In no particular order I suggest Puro Surf, Palo Verde, Mizata Point Resort or even Michanti. Day passes ranged from $20 - $25 for the day which gave you access to the pool all day. As a photographer, I’m always prone to want to move around a lot to explore so I loved the ability to hop around from hotel to hotel without committing to spending the night.

In the event you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to me and I’d be more than happy to provide any info or at least direct you towards someone in El Salvador that may know a lot more than me.

In studio fun with personal trainer, nutrition coach, published fitness writer and model Lauren Kanski. Despite officially not seeing each other for an entire year, I have been following and admiring Lauren's career back when we initially met at a fitness workshop event I photographed in Williamsburg Brooklyn. Eventually our schedules aligned and we managed to get together to catch up on life while having fun with the camera while showcasing her natural soccer skills. 

Number #13 resonated with me the most: "You are worth more than you think you are. Be brave and charge accordingly." 

There's always excitement anytime you're behind the camera but ultimately to get to that point where you're translating your vision through the viewfinder there's the entire topic of having the confidence to charge what you're worth assuming the skill is already there. It's something I battle with on every new gig because not every shoot is the same therefore there's a lot of reevaluation involved with every new opportunity. You have to do your research and take in to account many variables based on the client's need and quite frankly be confident because it's that confidence that will drive your work and your business.

As confirmed cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus have risen in the U.S. in the last few weeks, we much like everyone else have had to realigned our priorities, specifically with regard to traveling. I had the good fortune of traveling to El Salvador earlier in the year on a solo photographic adventure which was beyond spectacular, so I was very excited to experience all of that again but this time with the entire family in April. Unfortunately that will no longer be the case until the coronavirus scare has lessen or at least until it's more understood, so in the in the mean time I wanted to take this moment and share with you the quaint village of El Zonte in which I stayed at back in January.

During my traveling, I became much more active on Instagram Stories as it tends to be the case by mere virtue that you feel as though you have something valuable to share. Eventually I had a lot of people asking me more about El Salvador which led me to write Your El Salvador Questions Answered which I will direct you to in the event you're curious in visiting a country in Central America that's not Belize, Costa Rica or Guatemala. 

I personally met so many wonderful people in El Zonte and experienced moments on my own that had me reflect a lot on how the simple things in life are usually the ones that fuel you more than anything that seems too complicated.  

I agree there's a lot of uncertainly going at the moment because it does seem like we're living day by day as more new information regarding the Coronavirus is developing but aside from taking the necessary precautions, I'm confident we will look back at all this a year from now and reflect on everything we went not just as a individuals but as humanity.

Both my wife and I are fortunate to work with a company that is fully compensating us for the time we'll be off from work for the next 2wks so that's a plus. As for people who are freaking out about not knowing what to do with their "time off" that's one area I'm not concerned about because I have a stockpile of books I'm looking forward to reading, writing I've been putting off, marketing material I've been wanting to develop, etc. For us creatives, we'll always have an urge to stay busy and perhaps these times are a reminder for us to always keep a list of activities or task we're hoping to accomplish so that we can tackle them during idle times like these. Thank you Nick Onken for remind us of this!

Now that I’m older, I realize that the fishing wasn’t always necessarily about what came or didn’t come back attached to the end of the line or even the sudden jolts that gave you the impression that you had chosen the ideal spot to cast from. The entire experience was and continues to be about learning to wait, to be patient, to follow protocol, to be still, with your thoughts and to acknowledge that not everything we set out to accomplish will be under our control which more often than not is easier to say than to accept.

Everyday that we go out into the world it responds back to us with thousands of choices for us to make and now more than ever we find ourselves in a situation where that last thing we feel we don’t have is control. Where there’s no control there’s at least hope and there’s belief that what we’re experiencing at this moment is a season that we’ll all get through together. 

For the time being the very least that we can do is to play our part but also as some scholars have suggested, to “write things down.”  “Think of your children, your grandchildren, your friends down the road, who will ask you what was it like during that pandemic.”

Needless to say there’s no shortage of routines anyone can willingly adopt to their own time and needs but the discussion comes down to whether the workouts should just be given out or sold. A personal trainer’s expertise and time is their livelihood and that’s a reality that everyone needs to understand.

Their career has equally been jolted and when all they can do is rely on training their existing clients virtually, it should be understood and accepted that they still retain the rights to monetize from their expertise either by charging for daily workout classes or taking on more clients who are wiling to invest in a virtual trainer for the time being. Personal trainers much like a photographer or any other creative should not be shy about charging what they’re worth especially in these times.

Instagram has been saturated with workout routines at this moment and while it’s great for us that’s not always necessarily the lens from which personal trainers see it because they still need to make a living. If there’s anything these Coronavirus times have taught the fitness industry is that much like any other creative we have to continue evolving and diversifying our business to the point where regardless of what gets disrupted there’s still the opportunity to retain, develop and provide the same value clients have come to accept from us.

I've always depended on my curiosity to be the guide as to where I point my camera and by virtue of that I've had the opportunity to meet and photograph so many amazing trainers based here in New York. They've all been unique as far as their expertise but the one underly theme has always been their insane hustle to do what they gotta do to obtain results and these moments are no different. 

I can't say I've every been a fan of rap largely because the majority of what’s said now is beyond comprehension. It all revolves around the typical topics of sex, smoking, drinking and the only element that’s ever kept my attention might have been the beat. Coming from someone who’s not well verse with the genre, all I can say is that there was never a story from any rapper which I felt made me a true fan.

For me, IAMTHEREALAK has taken my understanding of rap to an entirely new level. My initial criticism of his music was that his remixes felt too short and I wish they were longer but I eventually came to accept that as a benefit. The sheer amount of stories, metaphors and enthusiasm in which he delivers his lyrics has so much depth that you’ll undoubtedly find yourself having to go back and listen multiple times to detect all the nuisances that make his music so great.

The level of storytelling in his lyrics is incredible. You don’t necessarily have to know Austin in person to get a level of understanding of his thought process and vision because he lays it all out in his lyrics.

I’ve enjoyed every single one of his remixes but if I had to choose 5 that I recommend listening to they would be: F*ck Up Some Commas, Lights Out, Nocturnal Rainbows, Issues and Tunnel Vision.

As a creative, here’s 4 things I’ve learned from following IAMTHEREALAK’S meteoric rise:

• We all go through personal struggles in life and it’s up to you to utilize those obstacles to create something by which other people can relate to you and feel inspired by
• Stay in your own lane. Don’t worry about what other people think of your work because in the end we all have a story to tell and it’s the fusion of both that will make you unique.
• The setting in which you create your work doesn’t define you. The work itself does. As a quick example, simply look at the backdrop in which Austin recorded his videos/music. He could care less whether it was aesthetically pleasing. The emphasis has always been on whether you can listen to what he’s saying
• You don’t need fancy gear to create. Just a willing to put in the work consistently.

Austin has such a bright future ahead and much like all the support he’s received thus far, I’ll be right there continuing to buy his music.

Renting studio space can be very expensive depending on where you’re based or it could be reasonably priced if you happen to own the majority of the equipment you’ll need; in which case that potentially means forgoing a lot of the amenities a studio may offer such as lights, backgrounds, etc. 

Either way, it certainly becomes a worthy investment when you’re starting out. Based on your shoot concept you’ll eventually encounter limitations on what you can pull off outside on location and you’ll feel compelled to rent space. On top of that, it’s a good practice in getting use to what it feels being in a studio. It builds your confidence as you develop in your craft.

I’ve rented my fair share of studio spaces in several New York neighborhoods and based on those experience I wanted to share some advice and realizations which I wished I had known before hand but that I’ve at least become more cognizant about with time.

Don’t starve yourself: Seriously, don’t. Bring water, snacks or even a protein bar which I’ve done and munched on in between those moments where the model has stepped away to change outfit. I can assure you that when you’re in that moment of creating, you literally lose track of time and without knowing you just keep going and ultimately find yourself famished.
 
Buffer, Buffer: Insulate yourself with enough time before and after a shoot. Before so you can setup without rushing and after so you can clean up once the model has left.  Going back to how time equates to money, you want to avoid overextending it unless you’re ok with paying extra for doing nothing but cleaning up. Learn to calculate your time is vital because it the less you have of it the more you get use to working with limitations.
 
If I’m shooting someone for 2hrs between 10am-12pm, I would ask them to arrive at 10:15am which buys me time to setup and that’s not taking into account their time for changing into any outfit. 

 
Should I wear this?: For the most part, particularly if it’s a test shoot, models will bring with them a slew of outfits to get opinion on what they could potentially incorporate into a shoot. While it’s great to have options, you should have already reached a point where you’ve determined what visual direction the shoot will take prior to having even even stepped foot in the space. 
 
You should be able to transition seamlessly from one look to the next. Don’t waste any time thinking “what should I do next?” because you’re the photographer and you’re technically in charge of the pace while still collaborating with the model on whether you’ve nailed a look and if you can move on. I’m all about spontaneity but go in with at least a draft in your mind of what you’re looking to achieve. Mood boards are always ideal.
 
Do I have everything I’ll need?: Do inventory of everything you think you’ll need and just when you think you’re ready, double check one more time. I’ve been short on stuff I’ve needed multiple times and I’ve had to improvised on the go. The key in these scenarios is to not panic, to not project the vibe that you don’t know what you’re doing due to an oversight. As the saying goes, “the show must go on”.
 
Bring the jam!: Get yourself a portable bluetooth speaker. I’m all about encouraging models to bring their own tunes to rock since it’s no surprise that music has the tendency to bring the best out of people. It’s all about them and in creating an environment where you’re likely to capture their true self. On top of that, music in my opinion works best in conjunction with the conversation you’re hopefully having as you shoot and honestly I can’t ever imagine being on set without at least some time of music to establish the vibe that going to allow you to capture your best work.

What comes to mind when you think of networking is the mentality of chasing leads to secure the next big gig but that’s not I wanted to talk about. Instead, I wanted to reference this practice of sustaining relationships not just with like-minded individuals within your field but also with people outside of it who broaden our perspective in our craft, the industry and in life.

Back when Instagram meetups were a thing, I easily found myself in numerous coffee shops a month meeting local New York photographers or ones that lived aboard who happen to be visiting and whom I had befriended via Instagram. The purpose was to meet, meet and meet.

A few photo walks and portraits would result from the encounter as we chatted but I soon realized that I rarely had “content” to share on Instagram or my website for the amount of work I was putting to meet more photographers. Nowadays for me all of that is non-existent. As the saying goes, “it takes 2 to tango” and I’ve certainly haven’t done my part to keep the dancing going. Meeting fellow creatives will forever be inspiring but sometimes just being inspired is not enough especially when you fail to create anything while you’re on that inspiration high.

Life will always continue to evolve. We’ll always have obligations, work will continue to arise and family responsibilities will keep us occupied which means priorities will shift. The justification that “we’re too busy” will become an even further part of our daily vocabulary and it’s in those moments where you begin to question practices you’ve adhered to in the past.

Back then I cared a lot about who I met up with. Perhaps too much. An entire day or week would transpire and my attention was too focused on which photographer I could meet as oppose to what I can create with that same time instead. Ultimately I stopped caring and it was in that very instance where I felt I had found myself creatively.

Instead of reaching out to photographers to meet, I began reaching out to people who were influential within their industry such in fitness or in the arts. Developing relationships with these individuals is where I found myself to be alive as I navigated the city strapped with my camera as conversations brewed the same way I always admired Anthony Bourdain did on any of his travel shows. Both the conversation and photography were taking place harmoniously. It was and continues to be a win, win situation! I wasn’t really competing for one or the other anymore.

I’m not insinuating it’s no longer worth it for me to meet fellow photographers because I do miss it but it’s no longer an obsession of mine. Just as time continues to become more valuable, I’m sure I’m not the only person who assesses daily how they wish to spend it and if what we once did in the past no longer aligns for how we wish to develop as a person and a creative now then we shouldn’t feel guilty about our evolving mindset. It is what it is.

It's too easy during these times to feel that if what you do for a living doesn't directly involve saving people's lives then suddenly our independent creative profession seems less important. Who's gonna care? Will people pay attention? I know I thought all this for a moment considering we still have to respect social distancing norms. At the moment one could actually do 2 things: Do nothing and mourn for how things use to be or adjust to discover creative ways in which we can continue to service people in ways we've never considered before. 

I'll admit I initially scoffed at the concept of people pulling off FaceTime Portraits in lieu that it sounded gimmicky but after some consideration I realize that while it my not necessarily bring in the monetary compensation that one would from a conventional shoot, I've been blown away how pleased, excited and embracing my subjects have been to appreciate us creative working with what we have considering our circumstances. Making people feel good while doing our work is good enough reason to continue regardless if we're not a doctor, nurse, etc. Embrace what you bring to the table, don't be ashamed and be confident that there's value in what you do!

When we’re hired for a job, it’s not just solely for our technical ability to capture something artistic but also for our ability to edit. Far too often it’s overwhelming in seeing photographers share an enormous amount of photos from a shoot. Perhaps more photos that we as audience are able to digest.

Like everything else in life, there has to be a nice balance. It’s difficult to imagine a photographer that doesn’t get excited about an epic travel adventure or a studio shoot that’s allowed them to flex their creative vision. It’s normal for us to want to show our work but how you present the photos from a shoot and the diversity of them is just as important. We don’t need to see 8 photographs of a subject that when placed alongside each other you can’t even tell them apart. More is not always better, especially in these scenarios.

When I edit photos from a shoot, there’s a tons of images I would love to publish on the website but when I look at feature articles within publications I admire such as Men’s Health, Self Magazine or even Travel & Leisure, you’ll never see everything completely laid out. By the time you see those photos you love in a magazine, a meticulous process of selecting the best ones has already happened since there’s still text to consider.

What leads photographers to overshare? It could be that we’re not too confident yet in determining what we feel our best work is yet so to compensate we end up sharing everything and when you do that you’re ultimately leaving it up to the audience to decide for you.

I use to be guilty of this myself. When I overshoot someone, it’s merely to secure options to work with while I ultimately select the best ones later and not because my intention is to show you everything.

More is not always better. Instead, try to aim for a more concise tightly edited body of work. I know a lot of times we want to believe each and every frame we take is profound in its own way but that won’t always be the case. In fact, I always like to joke around that if at any time any of my work looks “good” it’s because I haven’t shown you “all the bad stuff I’ve photographed.”

If there’s one aspect quarantine life has shown me is that there’s a wide orbit of things you’ll refrain from wanting to do because the results may not come close to what what you’re use to. There’s limitations. The quality may be different. Heck, the actual process of doing this new thing may require a different side of you that you probably haven’t developed yet and on top of that the people you may ask to assist you with it might consider you crazy. In the end what’s mostly permeating through my mind is how can one explore ways to continuing being creative during times where it seems like there’s not much to work with.

This is exactly how I felt about FaceTime photo shoots. I kept seeing photographers experimenting with it on Instagram, I scoffed and was hesitant because it sounded gimmicky. The photos were either too grainy grotesque or not as sharp due to unsuitable lighting. As a creative there’s always a level of satisfaction we’re willing to accept prior to sharing anything, so when you don’t feel your expectations will be met you’re less likely to consider new options to express yourself in anyway. Yes, I understand tools don’t matter but how we’re accustom to using them *does* in during these times until we adapt to something else. That adaption has been FaceTime shoots for some photographers.

Eventually I came around to the reality that what we consider “normal” shoots may not be in the cards anytime soon. Time continued to pass seeing my camera neatly tucked in my backpack day after day gave me this anxiety that made me feel less like myself.

I haven’t been at my day job for over a month and although I’m very appreciate that the company has continue to compensate me during these times, when I’m not at work, photography is what I occupy myself with and when you take both of those elements away you’re left gasping for creative air.

Lockdown in general sounds like a great time to be productive and when you combine that with my difficulty with being idle you get this great combination to experiment with FaceTime shoots which is what I did after I figured out technical aspect.

Here’s my FaceTime shooting process along with observations:

1. I connected with the person via FaceTime on the iPad Mini 5. I experimented shooting directly at the screen as I provided creative direction live but there were instances when the connection wasn’t always the best. The poor connection rendered a pixelate image of the subject on the iPad Mini and that’s not appealing to shoot.

To compensate, I discovered that while I did see them pixelated that wasn’t the case once I actually took screenshots within FaceTime. In the Camera Roll the screenshot in terms of sharpness was way better than I expected considering it’s never going to compare to the experience of being with someone in person. This my friend is a reality you have to accept. The “quality” may not be perfect but that’s not what you’re aiming for. The purpose of all of this is for you to work within these social distancing limitations and ultimately see yourself in the work you produce from it because your vision is yours and not defined by the parameters you’re working with.

I personally find it appealing that 5 years from now I will look back and wonder why a particular set of photos taken in 2020 seem different than anything else I’ve shot before. I’ll vividly recall that this pandemic forced us to explore new avenues to continue creating as we shedded this desire for everything to always be perfect.

2. Once I’m done with the shoot, I import all the photos into Lightroom CC, select the best ones, I display them unedited in full screen mode on the iPad Mini and proceed to photographing them with my Sony A7RII so that I at least have a somewhat higher resolution file to work with which I eventually import and color correct in Lightroom Classic. That’s it!

FaceTiming has never been my primary means of catching up with anyone and now the ease of jumping on a call without any self-consciousness has been yet another growth moment for me in these times. Continuing to connect with people via FaceTime should be seen as a way of planting seeds for future shoots once we’re able to continue working the way we always have in the past.

As the Coronavirus continues to escalate in the US, there's been a lot of uncertainty with practically everything we've ever actively engaged in. It sucks but it's also given me the breathing room to reconsider routines I would have never have considered giving up because its enriched me both physically and mentally. I love working out. It's ingrained in me already. I've always been an active person. Society has already dictated that if you attend a gym on a regular basis, it's because you're focused on your health, disciplined with your body and are likely to stay committed to other aspects of your life that others wouldn't think twice in quitting the moment it becomes a grind. 

But once things get back to "normal", what will attending a gym look like? Who knows and I don't think I want to be around to figure it out which is why I made the conscious decision to cancel my L.A Fitness membership. Within the past 2 weeks I began the process of converting my home office into a mini home gym. Will I have less equipment at my disposal? I sure will be if there's anything I've learned from self-educating and gleaning advise from personal trainers whom I've become acquaintances with during shoots here in New York is that you don't need much to continue mastering the fundamentals. Your “gym” isn’t the reason for your progress. YOU ARE!

Yes I am going to miss the "me time" I had as I commuted to the gym to practically be alone but I'm no longer dwelling on how things "use to be" because that ship as sailed and rather than attempt to find ways to board it once again, I've become content with exploring alternatives and boarding a new ship that will allow me to dedicate time to staying committed and healthy which is ultimately the end goal. 

Sometimes I’ve gone a little too crazy subscribing to too many podcast that it’s felt more like a badge of honor to say I’m subscribed to this and that but I’ve failed to fully commit to listening to every single episode. Luckily now I’ve kept my podcast subscription to a minimum in view that the majority of them are typically lengthy but one that’s short but packed with so much goodness that I truly enjoy has been one called A Beautiful Anarchy hosted by photographer and author David duChemin. I owned 3 of his books (Within the Frame, VisonMongers and How to Feed a Starving Artist) and I’ve been a long time fan of his conversational writing style as well as his travel and portrait photography work.

In his own words regarding his podcast:

A Beautiful Anarchy is a heart-felt kick-in-the-pants podcast for everyday creators and anyone who's ever mud-wrestled with their muse.

Subscribe! I highly recommend!

It’s fascinating to admire people’s accomplishments, especially when there’s no short of seeing people sharing it everywhere but what I can tell you is that we’re more likely to learn from their failures due in part to 3 reasons: people who are willing to show their “complex and messy” stories demonstrates that we all suffer from imposter syndrome regardless of any perfectly crafted social media post. Also, it shows we’re all iterating in public through trial and error and perhaps more importantly, seeing other peoples vulnerabilities makes us relate more to them even though I’m cognizant that all of us have our own unique circumstances that we’ve lived.

It feels weird when people reach out to me for advise based on something they’ve seen me shoot, specifically because I don’t feel that what I do is perfect and yet I realize that seems to be the point. They’re not seeking for perfection. They’re seeking for validation that what they’re working on has the right to be messy as well. The more we share how flawed we are with what people assume we’re perfect at the more you’re indirectly motivating others to continue pursuing their own thing!

She recently traveled to a country that’s often referred to as one of the best hidden gems for surfing in Central America and which I’ve often referred to as my second home after having lived there for 5 years during my teens: El Salvador!

Sorelle says: ”without any prior experience in surfing, but holding onto this dream for more than half my life, I decided I already gave enough excuses, so...I learned to surf in 14 day in El Salvador.”

Seeing her 15-minute vlog brought so many beautiful memories of my experience at Puro Surf which is located in the quaint town of El Zonte where I stayed earlier in the year pre-pandemic.

What I equally love about Sorelle’s video in which she documents her experience is it’s creative direction. Aesthetically it’s beautiful from start to finished in comparison to most vlogs where the only cinematic feel of the video are drone shots and that’s it. 

After 2 years of Anthony Bourdain's passing, it still seems surreal that he's no longer with us in a time where his wisdom, his perspective and voice would have been greatly appreciated. In spite of that, I stumbled across a quote of his dating back to 2007 from his show No Reservations in which he describes the journey of travel but which also happens to have a strange resemblance to the COVID pandemic we're all experiencing and how we're slowly finding ourselves reaching the end of a new tunnel.

Is this the right lighting, the right lens, the right camera, the right backdrop and the list goes on and on. Yes, all the tools are important but not more than who you have in front of you and in this video I love how Cory dissects the most likely scenario for all of us in which our focus is directed towards the wrong thing:

"Most photographers are thinking about the distractions at the technical side...they end up having just 10% of that energy left to try and connect with that person and what they don't realize is that if you can't observe and connect and earn trust from your sitter then you're just doing a technical exercise at best. Portraits are all about humanity."

Nobody said that finding yourself as a creative would be easy. Like anything else in life there are exceptions but for the most part the reality is that to understand the type of work you wish to create you first need to learn more about yourself. It's the most important research you'll ever do, more so than any amount of time you put in trying to decide which equipment is "better".

At the beginning it's normal to model yourself and your work to someone else. It's how a lot of us learn and with time you begin to evolve, perspectives change, and you begin assessing what's important to you as an artist. What kind of work are you wiling to do or not do and why? You can't copy anyone else's answers because I can tell you that the answers are in you based on your interest and life experiences.

Like Sergey Faldin says, "you need to learn how to be yourself" which in the end is all that matters.

- What if I Have Nothing Worth Saying and No One Reads What I Write?

- Too young to be taken seriously or too old to be relevant?

- Share Your Struggles

Buying anything is addicting but the downside to photography is that it’s a costly passion that can easily guide you to spending more than you can afford and need. I’m not going to tell you that gear doesn’t matter because is completely does but I think the most important question is how much of it do you need?

Define you Intentions

The gear and the process is the perfect combo of what matters. The real difficult part of photography isn’t knowing how to make the picture but in determining what picture to make and with that comes deciding what your real commitment to becoming a better photographer is.

I still consider myself a complete novice when it comes to ability, so I take any and every feedback I get in seeing what else I can do to gain experience and feedback. Perhaps not every photo you take will have that innate condition to stimulate someone but it’s acknowledging those intentions that will greatly enhance that chances that you will.

Frame the Picture

When we travel, even though Vanessa may not verbalize it, my wife’s expressions says it all in how irritated she may get when all I think about is photographing everything.

She loves reading the inscriptions to artwork in museums while I worry more about how to avoid reflections through the glass, or how to gain the best possible perspective or in making sure to adjust the ISO and shutter speed from place to place. It’s a thrill to photograph and visualize what the end result of each photo will look like already framed in our living room and that pretty much outlines what I think about before I shoot.

Finding the Story

The photographs that draw me in are always the ones accompanied with a good story. These are the ones that have a subtle or sometimes in-your-face subject matter that keeps you glancing and paying attention. Sometimes one photo alone won’t suffice to encapsulate how you envisioned something, so it’s ok to create a series of photos around your experience.

Photos that have this element makes you want to keep searching and imagining more of what you don’t necessarily see and trying to envision what else was around that wasn’t captured.

Honestly, the most important things to remember is that you feel that you have to take photos and being content with the camera you have now, upgrading as your experience does and from that great photographs will come.

I'm positive I've heard versions of this quote in the past but not exactly phrased in this way and the reason I'm acknowledging it now is because I finally found it applicable to. There's so much more I'm wanting to accomplish from a creative perspective with my photography and while I like to think I'm always acting in a way that is consistent with where I want to go, I can't let fear stop me from visualizing what others have already conquered. 

During these COVID times I made it my personal mission to educated myself more when it came to lighting a lot of which came mostly through YouTube videos and in going through a few portrait photo books I owned such as Hunks & Heroes by Jim Moore. After having ingested so much valuable information, I was beyond anxious to partner up with Elsa once again and practiced what I had learned because in the end it means nothing unless you get in there and make reality what only lives in your mind at the time.

To view the rest of the set that we shot together in this beautiful quaint studio in Brooklyn head over here!

I don't know what it means to just go to work, come home and believe that's all I do. I'm fortunate to have developed a relationship with my camera, my photography and the people I've met along the way to remind me that my interest in life doesn't live within the timeframes of when I clock in and out at work. It shouldn't for you either. In the event that it does, I wrote about how you should have something in your life that's selfishly yours because I can assure you no one will come along offering you anything. If it doesn't come from you, you're doing yourself a disservice in not knowing what else you're capable of.

I don’t care whether I am shooting in studio or on location; I like both. It is more about the content, what the people are doing and how they feel in front of the camera. Where we are doesn’t really matter.

I like light that looks natural: in general I want the light to look believable. I like to catch people doing real things in a light that doesn’t look overly contrived. I want it to be a perfect moment that just happened!

Prior to COVID, I've attended my fair share of fitness based events in New York all of which have been absolutely thrilling to shoot. Not only have they served as a springboard to meet more professional trainers in the industry but also with it's ability to walk away inspired every single time by simply being around individuals who are an embodiment of what they preach. 

Hilary Riftkin has been one of these inspiring trainers. After some scheduling challenges at the beginning, she reached out and booked me for a shoot which gladly accepted because it was to celebrate her birthday and the fact that it involved commuting to the town of Amagansett in Long Island which I've never been to. We chatted about life, the current state of the fitness industry and how much I admired her beautiful home!

View the rest of the photos from the amazing shoot here!

So much of who we are and who we become is determined by those around us. Considering that proximity nowadays has become a safety concern, it's vital to understand that our thoughts, our behaviors, our demeanor are also a byproduct of what we're paying attention to either online, on TV, or social media in general. 

As a parent, one can't help feel that we don't have much time to occupy ourselves physically or mentally to anything which means that when the opportunity comes around it's typically regarding something that's of value. Why would I want to waste my attention on just anything when I have very little of it to go around to begin with? At least that's my perspective.

I pay a lot of attention to topics on health, wellness, self-care, travel, investment, family, leadership, politics and so it's natural that I won't be caught up on the most recent chart-topping artist. At my current age, I feel so much more caught up in life than I ever did at any age simply because I stopped trying to pay attention to everything while still being cognizant that life is made up of so much more than the ingredients we choose to include in our plate.

Zach Pogrob runs this amazing Instagram account entitled Behavior Hacks in which he offers "tactical advice to be a better human and live on your own terms." I'm constantly saving so many of his post within Instagram because they've serve as a great reference for those moments when you're in a funk and you're in need to read for a few minutes tidbits of advise that's likely to get you to reflect right away. This one right here is a t-shirt, a poster and a coffee mug that distills everything that's important to me at the moment. It's helped me become a better person.

At this point I have to admit I probably have more photos of Callie than any other personal trainer I've worked with in New York. Since our first shoot back in 2018, we've connected very well all the way from experimental shoots to the opportunity to photograph her signature workout class on a Brooklyn rooftop hotel.

 Unfortunately she's no longer based in the New York. She now resides in Florida so that ability to reach out, connect and experiment with concepts has come to a halt. Luckily, in a recent post-COVID short visit to New York on her part, our schedules aligned and we were able to not just shoot but also catch up on the weird routes life has forced us all to take considering all the uncertainly surrounding the pandemic. I use to think I had visit the vast majority of sections in New York but apparently Hudson River Park wasn't one of them so we met up near the water on a blistering hot day but in the end was so worth it.

If your work isn't specialized, it's not second nature. When problem arise, the solutions aren't in your mental archive, the movements aren't in your playbook, and the connections aren't in your contacts. It isn't that you can't shoot it all, it's that your clients don't want you to. Your best work will happen when you focus.

Perfectly said! Shooting everything might give the impression that doing so makes you more marketable, but it actually has the opposite effect in how potential clients see you.It was difficult to understand at first but the moment this concept sinked in, I was surprise how quickly I began finding myself creatively.

I detest using myself as an example for anything, considering I sure as heck have a lot to improve in several areas of my life but when it comes to learning to sacrifice certain things in order to pursue that one activity that you’d easily do for free, I’ve learned to adapt to this evolving learning experience. 

It’s crazy how for some this may come across as a foreign concept but in life, you can’t expect one thing to happen without being ready to trade something else for it. You can’t wait for the right time to pursue the things you daydream about or else you’ll be left with nothing but a faint glimpse of what could have been. We all share so much of ourselves online that seeing other people accomplish what we desire so much can sometimes be detrimental but it can equally serve as a catalyst for us to get our shit together.

Throughout conversation during shoots, people are surprised when I share that what I’ve done with my camera up to this point has been accomplished on my days off from my day job. Yes, the goal is to be a full time photographer but considering how much I love the craft, I can’t imagine being reluctant to create anything until I no longer have a day job. That’s not how it works. One feeds the other and you continue to do it for as long as you can or else you single-handily compromise the dream.

I think we all struggle with the question of personal meaning throughout our lives and if you don’t feel you’re getting it from your day job, there should be no shame or excuse in finding it outside of your work. It begins by carving out pockets of time to do what you’re passionate about. People may not always notice what you say but they’ll sure as heck pay attention to your consistency when creating and sharing what you do. 

Stop waiting to have a million dollars to pursue what you want. There’s already a slew of people on that line. Why not get on the line of “working with what you have by setting aside time” which tends to move faster.

Walid Azami shares some valuable rules to photographing influencers and instagram models. The biggest takeaway for me:

The more you shoot people for free the more you get stuck. They see the value in you. They just know that you don't see it yourself yet. I need you to see it.

One of the biggest challenges when I began taking my photography more seriously was not knowing what I wanted to get out of it despite continuing to invest so much time and money into it already. In hindsight my focused was more on wanting to improve my craft, developing confidence and learning to recognize my value. Not having a clear direction was not a priority which I eventually learned is not always the best strategy and neither is thinking that things will work themselves out on their own without you manually setting the tone first. 

Fashion and portrait photographer Justin Bridges said it best on what the most ideal blueprint should be as it pertains to your photography career or any other creative endeavor:

Knowing your destination informs the motivation and helps set goalposts along the way. Owning your curiosity and chasing down answers whenever you hit a roadblock allows you to enjoy embracing a student mentality. Practicing patience with yourself and not relying on copious amounts of gear allows you to slow down, appreciate the journey, and build invaluable experience.

If you need to act with 100% certainty, you will rarely act at all. In an increasingly uncertain world, you’ll either spend more time spinning your wheels searching for concrete guidance, or more time learning to get comfortable with the uncomfortable. Adapt with the facts, but walk in faith.

Drop-mic on so many levels from photographer and director Edsel once again. Within your own life situation are you able to think back on instances in which you where hesitant to start something just because you didn’t feel ready? Life is an iterative process that none of use should be ashamed off and you usually don’t if you’re humble from the outset.

The more people you photograph, the more experience you’ll have not just in being able to obtain the best out of them but also to develop an understanding of what works and what doesn’t because not everyone photographs alike. Luckily there are some basic tips we should all adhere to and in this video which is part of a workshop from photographer Alex Strohl, a model breaks downs what she expects to hear from us: 

 “Break the ice, share your vision, pay attention to details and movements, and let loose.”

As a creative there will inevitably be a slew of reality checks that we’ll have to accept and consider as stepping stones in which we gracefully jump from one to the next with each hop potentially getting us closer to the vision we have for our career.

As I’ve mentioned in the past, I do have a full-time job with a full-time set schedule that requires my 100% commitment 40hrs a week. Nothing out of the ordinary in terms of adult responsibilities but like anyone else pursuing a side-hustle, there’s always that questioning and guilt on whether I’m doing enough to move that needle towards becoming a full-time photographer.

My confidence level in stating “I’m a photographer” has matured exponentially compared to where it was 3 years ago. Interesting enough, it’s difficult to fathom how much work I’ve produced considering I don’t have all the time in the world that you would expect you would need to create. Would I want more time? Probably but I would want to earn it first simply to avoid squandering it for not having a plan on what to do with it.

I wanted to share with you some random thoughts that have been permeating which I think you might relate to if you’re also pursuing any creative endeavor.

Shooting for free - Yes, I’ve done it before and if any creative tells you they haven’t then in my opinion they’re lying. I’m well aware that exposure doesn’t pay the bills but there’s been instances where some type of barter agreement has been made in which someone’s offer and my creative work have aligned. Sometimes work opportunities have arisen from it afterwards. Get use to the fact that it’s part of the hustle, just make sure it doesn’t become your actual business plan. I’ve shot for free whenever I’ve felt that I’ve had to do what it takes to get close to the fire.

You’ll probably spend less time shooting and more time networking to secure that next job - This one is difficult to swallow. You love being behind the camera and yet I feel that in order to earn the right to be in the position, you have to not only do the leg work first by promoting yourself and developing relationships but also to realize that your creative vision for anything you produce happens before you’ve touch any of your expensive gear. I also often go through that dreaded feeling of not having anything to share on social media which signals to me that I haven’t shot as much lately. I see this as a result of not having done much to put myself in a position where I either get hired or experiment on my own.

You’ll dislike your work - Everyone always tells you not to compare your work to anyone else’s but that’s easier said than done. Regardless of whether I’ve already developed a creative style, I see disliking one’s own work as a impetus to not quit what we’ve accomplished so far but to experiment new avenues that will challenge us to consider other ways to ignite our passion again. While the majority of my work revolves around people, I equally have a passion for travel photography which obviously requires time and money.

I work, I purposely save PTO time and have I’ve established a separate bank account where I bi-weekly deposit funds that I can reinvest into my creative vision and portfolio development. This is exactly how this trip to El Salvador on my own came about. 

Just relax - I have a difficult time simply chilling the f**k out. Seriously. Between a full-time job and 2 beautiful kids, any downtime I do get, I invariably feel this pressure to be productive 24/7. It’s a challenge for me to just relax and not feel guilty about laying in bed and watching a movie. I continually remind myself that even the best of hustlers take a break because burning out could only set you back as oppose to moving you forward. 

You do not need more vision, you already have a vision. You already know what you want to do. What you need is the consistency to see it through.

Brianna Wiest has become of my favorite writers that I've ever discovered on Medium. Talk about clinging to her every word. Of course I was thrilled to find out that she's even written a book that I happily purchased and I'm really looking forward to highlighting the heck out of it - The Mountain is You.

I think the most important element for doing anything is to establish a solid reason for it in the first place otherwise you'll never stick to it, period. When it comes to waking up early, my wife is the type to snooze consistently. She'll rollover pretending nothing can perturb her as she does everything to secure the warm underneath the blanket. I on the other hand jolt up the moment my AppleWatch vibrates. Waking up early for me has little to do with all the scientific arguments as to why it's beneficial but if I had to encapsulate my habitual reasoning for 5AM wakeup calls even on my days off, Niklas Göke says it best for me:

I love the quietude of early mornings. The world is asleep, and there’s peace in knowing that alone. But it’s also a great time to read, to learn, and to get things done. There are no distractions. You can be slow and focused at the same time. There’s no rush, and by the time everyone you know has breakfast, you’ve already accomplished a good chunk of what you want to do that day. A half-done to-do list at 9 AM is comforting. Bottom line? I love waking up early.

Even if no one but you reads it. The blog you write each day is the blog you need the most. It’s a compass and a mirror, a chance to put a stake in the ground and refine your thoughts.

Although some may argue that writing is meant to be shared with everyone, I’m also a firm believer that writing at it’s core is more for you even if you don’t realize it at the beginning. What matters is that it’s for you and you don’t need to impress anyone. Seth Godin knows this more than anyone.

2020 was a year of panic, loneliness, unpredictability, but also growth. In many ways, it feels as if time stood still this year. We’re always asking for moments to catch our breath and when we had that moment of pause during quarantine we didn't always know what to do with the extra time we yearned for. I’m grateful for the lessons 2020 has taught me, in spite of the circumstances in which they were taught. There is no more “going back to normal”. It’s more about adapting so that we can continuing to spring forward.

Home fitness has always been in our lives but it's taken on a new role since COVID closed gyms around the world. I personally canceled my gym membership, managed to secure home equipment, lost my intimidation towards kettlebells and continue my active lifestyle in conjunction with the Body & Bell program on Ladder App which is very kettlebell centric.

Viviana on the other hand built our her home gym with her fiancee in their garage where she ultimately trained herself, subsequently competed in a wellness competition and took 1st place. Talk about working with what you have to accomplish something so inspiring. 

Specifically in fitness, when information is abundant, people are not always looking for someone who has more of it; they're looking for someone to make sense of it and that's exactly the type of trainer Roxie is. I've had the joy of working with her on several shoots and one of the attributes I love about her is that she's consistently open to answering questions on Instagram from anything revolving around life, nutrition and lifestyle.

Recently she was asked on how one can "transition into a fitness career" and her response really made me aware of how much her experience within her career as a trainer coincides with mine of becoming a full-time photographer:

1. Stay consistent with posting on social media to build a following
2. Continue to educate yourself with reading articles, following trainers that know their stuff, getting certifications, and practicing training with clients/friends/at a low cost
3. Don't leave your stable job until you know for certain that you have some financial stability in your new career...unless you like to feel nervous about finances all the time

It’s become a staple of mine that whenever I’m traveling anywhere, I’ll always go through the usual process of researching on popular things to do and eat but I also enjoy the process of discovering who the big players within the fitness or wellness industry are at my final destination. It’s no secret I have an affinity in working with personal trainers here in New York and one of the advantageous of the industry is that it’s influence, it’s lifestyle, it’s appeal is world wide. There will always be a community of individuals who live and breath wellness and who are huge contributors to the industry.

On a trip to Florida, I had the opportunity to meetup with Annie Cooper, who’s a been able to transition her competitive cheerleading and track & field involvement into a career within the fitness industry as trainer. 

To view the rest of the photos, feel free to visit the gallery. 

Brad Stulberg as always sharing gems of wisdom that have you re-reading every last word more than once because it’s all true. In this case on what it takes for sustainable success:

• Be patient
• Focus on the process
• Pursue meaning not happiness
• Surround yourself wisely
• Work hard
• Rest hard
• Ignore “hacks”
• Get coaching
• Be OK with failure
• Practice self-discipline
• Practice self-compassion
• Know where you’re going
• Be where you are

Working in retail very often feels like a whirlwind. While my focus revolves around accomplishing operational task there's also the importance of clients 

 also in assisting clients while being cognizant in not confusing movement with productivity. I’ll admit there’s been days where I question myself on whether my presence, my actions on any given day has made an impact. I do keep an ongoing list of priorities but what I don’t often do is reflect back by asking myself the rights questions to evaluate my performance for that day.

I love this list of powerful questions compiled by Lolly Daskal in which she suggest we should be asking ourselves daily with the intent to not always bee to hard on ourselves 

I'll admit to always having this pressure of coming up with 'content' to share on Instagram Stories. As creatives, unless we're engaging in something absolutely special, we categorize everything else we do as mundane and not worth sharing when in reality, it's that mundane insight that we hold back on that generates the most interest.

For any creative struggling with not knowing what to share, including myself, I welcome you to a listen to Jule's post on TikTok in which she provides content ideas for creatives and uplifts this notion that our value as creatives is not simply in the end product but also on the steps to lead us to what we're ultimately admired for.

In studio with division 1 soccer player turned athletic strength and conditioning coach Meghan Hayden. Loved being able to connect with Meghan again but this time in a beautiful New York City midtown studio.

I’ve worked in retail for the past 15 years. Some would say, it’s not a line of anyone initially seeks out to pursue but more something people fall into because it has a tendency of being the default place to gaining experience as we hit our stride in life. Regardless of that, one should always feel inclined to giving it all you got in what you do for a living even if you’ve decided that what you’re doing now is not right for you. Do that long enough and good things will come your way. Even though people may not remember everything you say, they’ll recall the consistency you put into your work.

For me, retails has taught me a lot. It’s taught me humility, self-respect and if you’ve ever been the type of person who’s felt superior to others, I welcome you to spend a day, a week, a year working in retail to straighten that side of you up. In a way, retail has been a lot like travel. The longer you’ve been involved with it the more you realize that you don’t know everything and that’s ok, as long as you’re receptive to that fact and opened to be enlightened through the endless interactions with others.

As a photographer, my biggest transferable lesson from retail into the creative side continues to be the strengthening of my communication skills. In a retail environment, our main focus is to sell and engage with clients. In a studio setting, to a certain extent, there’s only so much the camera can do for you because the connection between you and the talent is equally vital. One can’t expect people to give us all they have when you haven’t created the atmosphere in which they can open up to us to begin with. The dance ebbs both ways in which what we do with our camera is just about creativity, technical abilities as it is about quick relationship building. 

In one way or another, don’t view what you do for a living now to cover your living expenses as a waste of time. What you ultimately envision yourself pursuing creatively in the end can only be strengthen by the accumulation of life experiences here and there. I can assure you that what you’re going through will make up the whole of who you are as an artist. 

My path to becoming a photographer hasn’t been linear. In fact, it compares nothing to a beautifully constructed highway where everything that commutes on it glides as smooth as you would expect the experience to be. Instead, my path has been more like a one of those narrow dusty trails leading to an undiscovered beach. You’re well aware there’s a beautiful scenery filled with adventurous opportunities at the end but it’ll take several near falls, branch scratches, and self-doubt to make you consider on whether the trek is worth it because regardless of whether you own all the gear that could facilitate your journey, you’ll still need something that it’s not as easy to pack in your backpack or pocket; which is self-confidence.

Owning photography gear and having self-confidence to do the work are 2 different things. A lot of times we tend to like the idea of something more than the act of doing it and you won’t know how you truly feel until you put in the practice where those 2 elements coalesce either via test shoots or personal projects.

It took me years to call myself a photographer. When asked, I always packaged my answer in a way where I would remove pressure of owning the title by simply saying, “oh, I just play around with my camera.” There was something about admitting to being a photographer that felt like too much responsibility that I wasn’t worth of yet. Granted I was already doing the work, putting in the practice but not wanting to take credit for it. It’s as if I was awaiting for something magical to happen so I can then feel like a photographer. Regardless of people seeing my as one, at the time in my head, I felt far from it.

Recently I was reminded of this self-doubt period by an article I read on The Art of Manliness blog entitled Want to Feel Like a Man? Then Act Like One. The article talks about why young men today are “struggling with the transition from boyhood to mature masculinity due to lack of a rite of passage, positive male mentors, refining challenges, and simply an understanding of what manhood is and what it requires.” In this case, rather than referring to a transition into manhood, we’re talking about a transition into when you feel like a photographer. 

The author Brett McKay says:

“Here’s the bottom line: If you don’t feel like a man, you simply need to start behaving like the man you want to become and eventually you’ll start feeling like you’re that man. Act as if. Fake it until you make it. Your brain will eventually align your attitude/belief about yourself with your new behavior.”

Assuming the skills and technical abilities are there, one can’t expect to be seen as a photographer if our self-doubt is greater than the vision we have for ourselves in this creative business. The beauty about the world we live in today is that we don’t need permission to create from anyone and that’s how I felt. You wanna work with someone for a shoot? Reach out! Have an idea for a personal project that requires traveling but feel that you don’t have the money to? Reevaluate where you might be squandering it on unnecessary things and consider investing in yourself and your craft instead.

Our actions along with consistency is what’s going to make the difference on whether we make it or not. I’m far from “making it” at the moment but without hesitation I introduce myself as a photographer with confidence now because I was able to shift my mindset before I was able to buy more unnecessary gear to convince me that I was. “If you don’t feel like a photographer, you simply need to start behaving like the photographer you want to become.”

The uncanny part about growing older is that in spite of the unexpected grey hairs I discovered in the mirror this morning as I was shaving is that I’m a lot happier at 39 than I was in my early 20’s, largely in part because I give way less of a f*ck about a lot of things and care more about things that will benefit me long-term like health or financial independence. 

When you’re young, you may fantasize about what getting older may feel like based on the people you had around you but I’ve learned that how old you feel and your chronological age don’t always have to coincide. I don’t feel 39 which I attribute to being continuously active, being influenced by what I read, what I watch, the individuals I follow and who I’ve had the gift to meet through my photography.

Life much like our environment is constantly changing. The world continues to rotate and as a result we’re constantly evolving physically, mentally and even emotionally. The more the years creep in, the more I notice patterns, seasons or even processes which I know there’s philosophies that teach all this stuff but certain things need to be lived to be understood.

The way we learn to move on from one stage to another doesn’t have to be scary because what might seem like an ending can equally signify a start. As you begin spotting new grey hairs, be hopeful in becoming better at recognizing happiness in front of you as well because a lot of times it’s not contained in a place or thing but within experiences that we take for granted. 

Remember that any person in this life has had to first develop the audacity to not give a f*ck about something in order to determine what’s worth giving a f*ck about.

When pricing your products or services, remember you’re not just being paid for that thing. You’re being paid for your time, your talent, your experience, your energy, your reputation, your investments in your own growth. Don’t undercut yourself. You’re worth so much more.

This took me time to understand and it fully sunk it when I began to realize there’s a difference between doing something for fun in which you’re good at and when someone is willing to pay you for it. There’s a lot more variables to consider especially if you want to take this thing you do even further and remain profitable.

There’s rarely a cookie-cutter answer to how one should things because everyone’s creative pursuit is different but luckily there’s no shortage of resources that may take time to research but we owe it to ourselves to put in the time behind-the-scenes so that we’re being compensated correctly once we’re on stage. 

As a creative one of the best ways to invest in yourself, in your craft, in your business is to invest in your mind, your own education and your own empowerment. I recently attended a sold-out workshop here in New York conducted by the awesome Paul Weaver entitled “Business Builder Pricing Workshop.” We covered topics such as understanding your value, what to charge for your services, licensing and pricing strategies.

At the end we had the the amazing @brunapetrillo take part in the workshop in which we had the opportunity to shoot with a talent interacting with a product and these are the images resulting from the experience. A lot of times, when it pertains to investment in our craft, we tend to relate that investment to something tangible but it doesn't always have to be. I've never attended a paid workshop and I was initially hesitant because you're always considering if then value and information from it can be acquired elsewhere and more than likely for free.

I view the workshop experience as one of money that I'm looking forward to expanding on because it's one of those experiences that you can't criticize until you try it and this one was well worth it!

I have a few Apple ecosystem subscriptions, but one that I look forward to the most on a monthly basis is AppleNews+, partly because of the vast number of magazine publications that you can quickly devour without danger of physically hoarding any of them.

I tend to pay more attention to magazines like SHAPE, Women's Health, Men's Health, Men's Journal, and even Outside Magazine because they all cover the types of subjects I enjoy photographing. The intriguing aspect of it all is that with each new edition that hits the digital stands, there's a good chance that someone featured in the magazine is a personal trainer I've shot with in New York.

This time in the June/2021 issue of SHAPE Magazine, I was startled not just by someone I know and have worked with, but also by the fact that the photo used in the issue to showcase Erika Hammond was a picture of her I shot in 2019 at Rockaway Beach which I was completely ecstatic by.

“You don’t need a logo, you need a story.”

For the most part, everybody we've grown to like has done so because they've influenced a section of our lives that we didn't realize needed nurturing. Their ideas, and viewpoints have enlightened us, so we eagerly anticipate what they have to say and accomplish. We've grown enamored with them, rather than anything flashy they employ to sell themselves.

I can't tell you how much time I've spent sprucing up my website with the intention of keeping it new, but where I frequently fall short is expressing more of who I am as a person, my narrative either via Tweet or Instagram. Fortunately, I can always count on Zach Tyler's succinct but insightful Tweets to remind me of what's more important, and what's more likely to make us relate with individuals we haven't met yet.

There wasn't much to work with during quarantine in terms of fitness equipment unless you already had it. I had a set pattern for getting to the gym at 6 a.m., and when that was taken away, I was left with possibly the most intimidating piece of gear in the gym which was the only thing I could get my hands on via Amazon. I was familiar with the kettlebell but was unsure on how to properly use to simply mitigate the chances of getting hurt with it.

I ultimately gained comfortable with it, to the point where it's the major piece of equipment I use to test my body, thanks to many Youtube videos, patience, and a few bruises. With that stated, I'm always fascinated by trainers who have honed their ability to maneuver such a large piece of machinery, which leads me to Collin who's a complete master at it not just at Dean CrossFit but where he gets the opportunity to challenge himself with it.

Surround yourself with people who: Build. Create. Obsess. Serve others. Think long-term. Learn relentlessly. Do more than they talk. Plan for decades, not days. Find people going up the same mountain. Climb together.

To make a difference, we need the practical empathy to realize that the other person doesn’t know what you know, doesn’t believe what you believe and might not want what you want. We have to move from where we are and momentarily understand where they are.

If there's one thing I've learned from working in retail for more than ten years and meeting so many people thanks to my camera, it's that understanding is the final thread that binds us all together. There is no harmony without comprehension, and without harmony, your ability to appreciate individuals is severely limited.

Seth Godin always has the remarkable ability to put into few words the most thought-provoking thoughts.

Hijas del Mar was born at the beginning of 2018, as a non-profit initiative that seeks to unify and empower women and girls who practice surfing in El Salvador. I had been communicating with founder Suri prior to my visit to El Salvador this year and I had the pleasure to attend one of their practice session at Puro Surf Academy in El Zonte, La Libertad.

View the rest of the photos of my evening spent photographing such an amazing mission.

Whether we like to admit it or not, we sometimes enjoy making the simplest task more difficult because it's easier to blame the many loops it would have taken to finish it if we don't succeed. I'm guilty of this, and I'm reminded of it whenever I feel overwhelmed by the want to do too much of what's eventually important for me to advance my photography business. When this does occur, I'm reminded of this by Brad Stulberg:

"You can’t hide behind simplicity. You have to show up—day in, day out—and pound the stone. Do the work. Rest. Progressively make it harder. Tweak as needed. Repeat. Nothing complex about it. It is as simple and as hard as that."

Few portraits I managed to capture of Aimee as she was visiting New York over the Summer. We tried several times to align our schedules, but the process of preparing everything became too hard, so one day on a whim, without much planning, we decided to just meet at her apartment without having to deal with a lot of the things that were preventing us from meeting.

We are not responsible for whether or not anyone can afford us. We are only responsible for the service/product/value we bring to that client. Don't be afraid to be expensive.

It took me a bit to figure out this one. I used to think that if a potential client contacted you to inquire about your service and decided the price was too high during the conversation, it meant we'd automatically not be booked for nothing else. Lowering your prices seemed to be the answer but eventually I realize that regardless of how great your work may be, you have to be content with knowing that your service will not be for everyone and it's up to you to respect that by not devaluing what you already offer.

Colombia is one of those places where you don't just see the sights, but also feel them, and while you might be inclined to spend your time exploring the culture and people on a bright sunny day, you'll be surprised at how equally charming the town is once the sun has set.

My wife and I went out to dinner one night, and to really appreciate the fact that we had an entire 4-days to ourselves without the kids, we toured the streets of Cartagena at night, avoiding any guilt we would have felt if the kids had been with us.

Given everything we've been through in the last year as a result of COVID, our experience of what it means to go on vacation may be colored differently but that doesn't mean we can't still enjoy traveling. I get it. Everything feels different because there’s more loops to navigate than ever before, but they’re all preventative measures that benefit everyone so we can recapture the joy of what it feels like to going somewhere new or revisiting old spots that mesmerized us the first time. 

For the past three years, my wife and I have set aside four days in the Fall to visit a location that meets 4 criteria: it’s logistically easy to get to, has gorgeous beaches, wonderful food, and provides enough downtime for us to enjoy each other's company without the kids.

We've previously visited Cartagena, Colombia with our full family and had a fantastic time, but traveling with a large family and with children changes the dynamic in comparison to how quickly a party of 2 can move from point A to point B, so for that very reason we returned but this time just the 2 of us and I wanted to share some photo of our experience. 

In no particular order, here's a few of our favorites places in which the food was absolutely delicious:

Eateries: Buena Vida Marisqueria Rooftop, Rosa Mezcal Taqueria, Pezetarian, Pascal, La Brioche, DKP Restaurant Bar

Lodging: NH Cartagena Urban Royal

There's just too much good stuff here, so take your time reading it. You'll need it, not because of the list's length, but because of its depth. Here’s some of my favorite:

• “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. At your funeral people will not recall what you did; they will only remember how you made them feel.”
• “Don’t create things to make money; make money so you can create things. The reward for good work is more work.”
• “Train employees well enough they could get another job, but treat them well enough so they never want to.”
  
• “Your passion in life should fit you exactly; but your purpose in life should exceed you. Work for something much larger than yourself.”
  
• “Bad things can happen fast, but almost all good things happen slowly.”
  

I recollect the news of Anthony Bourdain's death vividly back in 2018 and the way it destroyed everyone's day with unexpectedly widespread impact. To me, he was more than just an author and a host, above all, he was a guide. 

He taught you how to communicate with people regardless of their native language. He taught you how to savor different cuisines without being afraid of them, something that we have the liberty and endless option to do living here in New York. Even if you didn't have the financial means or the will to go on these journeys, Bourdain taught you to perceive the world as a large and intriguing menu to be savored in good company. 

I recently finished reading a book entitled In the Weeds by Tom Vitale who was Bourdain's long time director and producer. In it, he “takes readers behind the scenes to reveal the insanity of filming television in some of the most volatile places in the world and what it was like to work with a legend.” Clinging to every word, every tale in the book was a true thrill since, aside from his show and documentary on Tony's life, it's the closest thing to understanding who he was as a person when the cameras were off. 

Despite all of the shared experiences throughout the book, I can't help but return to this phrase, which, strangely enough, occurs at the end of a chapter in which Tom muses on Tony's death:

“After Tony died, one of the first thing people ask is if he left a note. I was horrified when I realized that I’ve been unwittingly helping him make one for 16 years.”

Life rarely changes in a positive way without an increase in responsibility. That can mean taking ownership of your health or committing to a relationship or starting a business. Whatever it is, if you want the trajectory to change, the amount of responsibility usually has to change.

It's impossible to envision how this reality does not relate to some aspect of our lives in this very moment.We all have personal goals and objectives that we want to reach, but it's important to consider how whatever action you're likely to take to attain them will almost certainly need you to take on more responsibility, no matter how appealing it is to simply stay in the shade. In terms of my photography, there's a lot of newness going on behind the scenes, including increased risk and responsibility, but I can't keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. It's the way the world works.

I was recently in Florida for a photoshoot with a friend, but I flew in a day early to take advantage of the opportunity to reconnect with Annie Cooper, with whom I had the pleasure of working earlier in 2021. Annie is such an incredible athlete and is so active on social media that I find myself bookmarking so much of the useful material she gives as a reference for future training. 

Paintings, sculptures, and art in general are sometimes labored over in the stillness of an artist's studio for months or even years before being seen anyplace. Most individuals, I believe, would never get the opportunity to see behind the scenes of these studios, but thanks to a combination of pure curiosity and Instagram, I was able to pay Emilio Perez, a Cuban-American artist residing in New York, a visit after seeing his work online. Surprisingly, his Brooklyn studio, which is more akin to a full-fledged residence, is close to studios I've rented for personal photoshoots in the past, so I was well acquainted with the neighborhood.

There was a time when I connected more with local artists, but somewhere along the way of discovering myself as a photographer, I lost touch with that camaraderie of what it means to exchange ideas, processes, and recognize that inspiration can come from the most unlikely of places, such as the person in front of you and not always within a glaring small screen.

There are times when I feel more like a sociologist or anthropologist than a photographer, when taking images is motivated by a desire to learn more about someone else rather than simply having something pleasant to share at the end of the day and visiting Emilio at his studio was certainly one of those instances. 

I finally had the chance to connect with a New York-based personal trainer that I've admired for a long time. The one and only Julie 'JAW$' Nelson.

If you've ever struggled to figure out which questions to ask your clients on the phone, or if you've ever felt stuck when it comes to pricing, I highly recommend listening to this short but insightful podcast episode MIDCONVO with Ed and Paul. I always appreciate it when other creatives share not only the tools they use to create, but also the business side of things, because it's not something that's typically discussed.

Vision matters. But sometimes you have to dig for a while with no sense of what you’re looking for so that you’ll know it when you see it.

David duChemin was the one photographer I continually resorted to in not only studying his documentary work but also his written words and his thought process when photographing anything way before even having a camera in hand.

I figured out the technical aspects of photographing and I'm still learning to this day, but it's that "no idea what you're looking for" drive until you finally discover what you enjoy photographing, documenting, and creating that has kept me inspired to pick up my camera everyday and I without question attribute him to instilling that in me through his writing.

Editorial vibes with Julie 'JAW$' Nelson.

Comuna 13 is still evolving. And the vibrant hillside neighborhood is busier than ever, and you can't properly appreciate the beauty of a place like Comuna 13 until you understand its horrifyingly terrible past and all it has overcome. 

Instead of aimlessly meandering through Comuna 13's wide maze, a tour guide will not only explain the significance and history of the neighborhood's prominent landmarks, but will also expose you to locations you would have otherwise missed discovering on your own. Without this understanding and awareness, a stroll around Comuna 13's streets is reduced to a shallow picture of many works of lovely street art. This neighborhood was at the top of my list to explore during our stay to Medellin because I had read so much about it before even arriving in the country.

As a side note, having the ability to document our entire trip in Medellin with just a curiosity and my freshly purchased Leica Q2 was extremely liberating because how compact the camera is. 

Cory Vanderploeg delivers another insightful video. I'm a huge fan of his portrait work, as well as the quantity of information he regularly gives on his Youtube channel about the business side of the trade we all adore, photography. 

"If you can't answer "yes" to all of these things, then you should be charging for your work" he says: 

• Will I use this in my portfolio for years to come?
• Will I end up showing this on Instagram and my social media?
• Will this be on my website?
• Am I going to be proud of this work?

Prior to purchasing the Leica Q2 this year, I conducted significant research to learn as much as possible about other people's experiences and opinions on such a costly piece of equipment. We're talking about blogs, vlogs, technical YouTube videos, and anything else that will make me happy with my purchase. I eventually bought the camera and I've had no regrets. It's been an incredible joy photography with it, which is difficult to put into words, but I believe Peter McKinnon stated it best, "The Leica's have a look to them, they have a feel, they have a vibe."

Shawn has always had a way with words: 

Even as we grow and mature in our life, the edges also get pushed out and they remain fuzzy. Don’t worry about “fixing” those outer edges — they will always be there. Instead focus on the center and on the core — the things that truly matter — and focus on making those stronger and better.

On a stunning evening that gifted us with such a fantastic sunset and view, I had the opportunity to photograph Ebony Anderberg's first Ebony Bootcamp that she recently held on the rooftop of Spring Place in New York City. After the demanding 45-minute fitness class, we lingered for a while to take advantage of the setting to create some fun photos. 

I recently got back from a family vacation in the Riviera Maya in Mexico. Playa del Carmen, was a town we spent a significant amount of time in, which was very stunning despite the typical Caribbean heat. I set a goal for myself to just bring my recently purchased Leica Q2 on this trip, and after that experience, I am certain that it is by far one of the best travel cameras I've ever used.

When we travel, it's much easier for me to get into street photography mode than it is here in New York. These are some of the pictures I made while aimlessly strolling through Playa del Carmen using the Leica Q2.

As creatives, we may have periods of inactivity, but overall, we always have the inclination to mull over an idea, play with it, and come up with something new. Naturally, it feels good when our efforts are rewarded, but we shouldn't ever feel as though our attempts were also in vain when they aren't immediately recognized. All of this has some significance in terms of how we think, practice, and present to the world what is only possible for us in our own special way create and in those movements when you doubt your efforts, I leave you with the wise words of Seth Godin: 

The body of work you’re creating adds up over time. The consistency and empathy of your vision will seep through. Drip by drip, you’ll create something worth noticing

There used to be a time when having a day job and a hobby meant attempting your best to keep those 2 portions of your life at opposite ends of the spectrum, but depending on what your pastime and day job are nowadays, there is no longer a need to compartmentalize those 2 components of your life because for me, one fuels the other.

I don't talk about this much, but when I'm not behind the camera, I work at Louis Vuitton, a wonderful company where I've had the pleasure of working for the past 11 years. In addition to having a "day job", I've still managed to dedicate time for client work and travel which has been the source of all of photography that you've seen me share and it stems from my free time or while on vacation. What's the secret? There's isn't any. It's just the willingness to sacrifice one aspect of one's life for another to dedicate time to what fuels you. 

While I've been a part of many amazing projects put on by Louis Vuitton, I've always struggled with how much I can share. However, this one was such a pleasure to be a part of that I couldn't help but sneak my Leica Q2 out during downtime to capture a glimpse of what it was like to be surrounded by so much craftsmanship and history.

On Shelter Island, Louis Vuitton created an exclusive savoir-faire atelier for the Maison's most precious collections. The emphasis of the presentation was on products that highlight the Maison's illustrious history and craftsmanship, such as exotic creations, furniture and décor from Objets Nomades, specialized hard-sided and trunk pieces, made-to-order items, and luxury watches and jewelry.

The number of times I read these is beyond my recollection. That is how influential this short list by Ryan Holiday really was: 

• We suffer more in imagination than in reality
• Associate only with people who improve you
• The greatest remedy for anger is delay
• Value your time more than your possessions
• Death is not in the distant future. We are dying every day

The Colombian city of Medellin is a destination rich in culture, history, and scenic beauty.
In the last few decades, the city has undergone a significant transformation. It has both an old heart and yet a vibrant creative energy that is felt the moment you arrive.

I've never met a Colombian person who hasn't spoken highly of their country, which is why I was eager to experience with my wife. However, there are so many things to do and see in in this city that it can be challenging to know where to start. The city is enormous! Although there are excellent public transportation options, the area is fairly dispersed, so choosing a place to stay is important because it can facilitate your journey.

Prior to any trip, I always do a ton of research on YouTube to get a firsthand perspective on other travelers' experiences to wherever our destination will be. In the case of Medellin, I totally loved this vlog of Medellin by folks at Attaché because it wasn't just insightful; it also had a very documentary feel that was reminiscent of a classic Parts Unknown show by the late Anthony Bourdain.

Body and Bell, a program that uses kettlebells as its primary modality and one I've faithfully followed for the past two years on the Ladder app, was created by New York-based personal trainer and nutrition coach Lauren Kanski, who specializes in strength and athletic conditioning. 

I absolutely value her knowledge and perspective, especially on social because it is honest and raw. She recently replied to a question about "selling yourself" that I've been struggling with, and even though her response was directed toward the fitness sector, it was still very applicable to freelancers in general, not just photographers like myself.

Lauren said:

Fitness is a tough crowd. People don't buy programs, they don't buy bands, they buy you! So the biggest thing I used to ask myself was would I buy me?

I wasn't confident, I didn't think I was smart enough, I wasn't giving my biz everything I had and that was a big problem.

We usually forget that the most important piece of selling anything is that we truly believe it is a solution that can help others. Gaining that confidence starts with walking the walk and showing up for ourselves first, then we don't have to "sell anything"!

I'll admit my blogging habits haven't been as consistent as they used to be. However, I do have rough drafts of ideas in my head that still need to be shaped and colored to demonstrate my aim. These unfinished ideas are actually more for myself than anyone else, with the sole intent of helping me comprehend, define, and make sense of many topics that may not always be related to photography but rather life in general.

Some people would argue that there is no longer any value in blogging, and anytime that momentary notion occurs, I am reminded of a statement made by Robin about how anything might be valuable to pursue further because "everything adds up":

"A blog post can anything...your career will thank you for it later and no-one can take it away...but you’ll never know unless you write that half-assed thing that’s in your head right now...everything is worthy of your blog. Everything."

I find it difficult to decide what makes a great portrait. Of course, factors like lighting, location, perspective, and even the reason for taking the photograph lend additional levels of significance to the final image, but the person's story usually makes the whole endeavor more enjoyable. In an ideal situation, I would have already built up a substantial repertoire with the subject to the point where a portrait was feasible, but regrettably that's not always the case. Sometimes you simply have very little time to and you just have to create as you go.

It's really difficult to add much commentary to Nathan's statement because it stands on its own, has undoubtedly crossed your mind at some point, and is something that everyone needs to hear regularly.

It's so easy to self reflect with questions like "What am I doing with my life?", "I can't even qualify for this I'm too old", "I wish I would have done more," and "I'm never going to be that successful”.

So rather than comparing your life to 30 people, ask yourself questions like: "Do I feel content in my work?", "Do I feel valued at my job", "Are there some things I can do to improve my career?", and (my favorite), "If you could tell the 21 year old version of yourself what you're doing now, would they be impressed?"

For people who have been debating whether to start their own online personal space that is independent of services like Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, etc: 

Buy that domain name. Carve your space out on the web. Tell your stories, build your community, and talk to your people. It doesn’t have to be big. It doesn’t have to be fancy. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. It doesn’t need to duplicate any space that already exists on the web — in fact, it shouldn’t. This is your creation. It’s your expression. It should reflect you.

The internet is vast. It’s endless and so it was this concept of owning something that’s yours whereas you can document anything was one of the two factors that first inspired me to start personal blogging back in 2010. The second element was my obsession with Anthony Bourdain's storytelling style.

With him, no existing concepts were reinvented. He wasn't adopting a different role. He wasn't trying to please everyone. He was honest, unflinching, and most importantly, he was truly interested in what he was reporting. He had earned the right to produce the kind of art he desired, and it was this freedom that struck a chord with viewers.

Although social networking platforms are everything nowadays, I still appreciate the idea of having my own personal website serve as my home base especially in times where every other platform can become unstable at any moment. 

In studio with Meghan Hayden in a Brooklyn studio. I became aware of Meghan back when she was a personal trainer at an upscale gym in New York City called Performix House and since then has gone on independent and continues to grow Take Off with Meg.

With social media being what it is, it's fascinating to learn that, in a time when we always strive to project the ideal image of ourselves, what others tend to gravitate to the most is usually the complete opposite of what we're trying to achieve.

There will always be a place and a time for those polished, well-lit videos of ourselves, but sometimes it's those very videos that we strive to create that discourage us from doing anything because they feel like such a challenge to produce. I love using my iPhone to create videos, and more importantly the videos in which I unwillingly speak to the camera because it's a skill that no one will be able to take away the more you develop the confidence in doing it. "Show up imperfectly as you are!"

It’s better to be lost and open to possibilities than it is to be so focused that you close yourself off to future opportunities. Having direction is beneficial, but closing your mind is f**king fatal.

We don't always require everything to be presented to us in life in a positive light. Sometimes we need something as brutal as the truth to help us realize that what we're doing might not always be the greatest course of action and if there’s anything that calls it like it us on a Tweet it’s Kyle Creek.

Natalie Brown is a model and fashion designer based in New York whom I've had the opportunity to work amidst her busy scheduled. Pior to my solo adventure trip to El Salvador we met up once again to create.

When I've mentioned that I've sometimes traveled alone, people have typically provided me with weird stares. The stares hasn't necessarily been on the destination, but rather on the fact that I am married and have two children; so how could I ever fathom going away with a camera for a week without them, especially when photography is not necessary my full-time profession. It's no secret that sometimes, being a photographer can be a solitary endeavor, therefore I will always be thankful for having a very understanding wife who supports my love for the craft.

As a photographer, I never think of traveling as a way to escape but rather as a way to better appreciate, document, and reflect. The truth is I’ve always found inspiration in stories of people's quests for introspection and self-discovery through travel. Stories that we commonly hear about everywhere and yet, somehow we rarely feel worthy enough to attempt anything similar ourselves because we categorize it as something “we just don’t do.”

The idea of solitude or being on your own is always depicted as being shameful. I've experienced some of my most interesting days traveling alone. If I wanted company, there were a lot of other travelers nearby, but I soon realized that I don't need constant company and that being alone was soul-satisfying and immediately gave me more time to exhale, eat as quickly or slowly as I please, surpass 12,000 steps without compromise, meet the sun as it rose or set, or spend time in my hotel room in the middle of the day to offload video and photos from my SD card.

Good things take time. As someone who frequently strolls around with a camera and whose main interest is people, there are very few days when admiring a portrait I took hasn't first involved spending time developing conversation with them. Chatting to them about their thoughts, perspective, or just listening to how passionately they articulated what they do, served as the impetus for approaching them in the first place. You’d be surprise how resilient, friendly, and eager people are to share their culture and craft with visitors. From the street vendors to the surf instructors, everyone I met had a story to tell and a smile to share.

By virtue of the camera, I am so inquisitive about people and places that, from afar, it may seem I am traveling alone, but when I’m peering through the viewfinder, I perceive things differently. It's like viewing a huge flock of birds glide through the air. My eagerness to view them up close is motivated more by curiosity than by the capabilities of my camera. I want to zoom in and find out what they’re all about and a lot of times, you have more freedom to do so at your own pace alone because not everyone is gong to understand that what you value as a photographer takes time. It’s not always as easy as “snap and go”.

As the late Anthony Bourdain once said, “Travel isn't always pretty. It isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that's okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind."

The sense of independence and personal growth I have earned from my solo trips may be its most important achievement. In new situations, I've learnt to trust my instincts and rely on myself, and this newfound assurance has permeated other aspects of my life as well. Books are an investment in yourself but so is travel. It helps you think more clearly, be kinder, see the bigger picture, and improve at the things that matter to you.

I've been to El Salvador a few times on my own and I've learned that no place or person stays the same over time and that going back may feel both familiar and foreign. While it's lovely to be able to share that experience with someone, there's nothing wrong with finding something profound on your own as well. A place takes on meaning based on what we bring to it, take from it, and leave behind.

People aren't necessarily searching for someone who has more information, especially when it comes to fitness, they're looking for someone to make sense of it, and Stefanie Williams has precisely that with WeGlow.

I had the pleasure of contributing as the event photographer for WeGlow's Wellness Festival recently held in Miami. It was an incredible pleasure to be a part of it because it marked the start of even better things to come.

Your goal as an artist is not to make perfect work. You goal as an artist, is to get to the point where your imperfection is seen by others, as perfect.

Tom Noske is a content creator and endurance athlete from Melbourne, Australia.I'm not really sure how I came across his Instagram, but his constant message, which talks to what it means to be both an artist and an individual, always resonates with me and makes me feel as like his statements are exactly what I need to hear at that particular time.

El Divino Salvador del Mundo, a well-known landmark with significant cultural and historical value, is situated in San Salvador, El Salvador.

In addition to being a religious icon, El Divino Salvador del Mundo is a landmark that has come to represent unity and pride in the country. It has evolved into a key feature of the city's skyline and acts as a hub for gatherings, celebrations, and protests. This significant landmark draws both tourists and residents because of its artistic beauty and spiritual significance. The space in which El Divino Salvador del Mundo is also a meeting spot for local skateboarders and on this particular evening, I happened to walk by to observe them practicing with the intention to capture the atmosphere with the Leica Q2. 

The 116th Street Festival has changed and expanded in size throughout time. What began as a little neighborhood gathering has grown into a famous festival that draws visitors from throughout the city and beyond. While remaining faithful to its roots and conserving the cultural legacy of the Hispanic population, it continues to develop while the primary highlights continue to be music, dance, and cuisine of the Hispanic community. We went to the festival and had an enjoyable time connecting with my wife while she proudly waved her Puerto Rican flag, and captured moments during the event with my trusty Leica Q2.

They say that the oddest places can be a source of inspiration. Sometimes you don't have to be actively engaged in your own pastime to feel it's the only way you can genuinely advance in it either.

Between Anthony Bourdain's amusing anecdotes in his television shows and books, his self-deprecating humor, and his propensity for foul language, I like to think I've gleaned some unexpected photography lessons from watching the show.

I use the term "lessons on photography" very loosely because none of them focused on imparting technical knowledge; rather, they are more on the inspirational/enlightening side.

1. A warm meal shared with a person is more likely to give you a sense of a location than a travel guide or a book will.

2. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in desiring the lifestyle of a certain job that we forget that in order to make earning that title worthwhile in the first place, we need to have a life.

3. It’s never too late to start showing interest in anything. Tony dabbled in writing on occasion, but it wasn't until one of his phenomenally successful pieces appeared in The New Yorker that he recognized he was good at more than just standing for 12 hours in a kitchen, drinking, or getting high. I wouldn't say that I came to photography late, but even if I had, anyone can now start taking advantage of the wealth of resources available to them.

4. Don't take yourself too seriously or else you'll become fixated on the demand for perfection and, more likely than not, you won't produce anything or meet anyone. This has occurred numerous times in the past. I no longer believe that one flawless photo is enough to convince me that my outings are worthwhile. I like to photograph in a chronological order so that the majority of what I see and everyone I encounter contribute equally to the feeling of being somewhere.

5. It’s important for more of us to be awestruck since fear and ignorance rarely get us far. I was often perplexing and embarrassed to learn that acquaintances from out of town knew more about my city than I did. I don't know every inch of New York, but I'm far more aware of the places than I was before I started experimenting with photography.

6. It's not always about the money. I've declined photo gigs simply because they didn't fit with my interests or sense of style. An attitude of scarcity encourages compromise since it makes you feel forced to accept jobs solely for the money rather than you being genuinely pleased to share the end result. Bourdain disliked the notion that it was the standard path for any chef back then to build and expand their brand by coming out with cooking tools and appliances. He never saw that as an opportunity but as a way to blend in which is the opposite of standing out.

Similar to this article, I also ran into Anthony in Williamsburg, Brooklyn after finishing a photoshoot on a fairly muggy summer morning. Following a conversation with him, I discovered he has a passion for rollerblading, so we headed to the closest park to capture movement in his element. 

I'll always be thankful to Nikeva for giving me the chance to work with her on a spontaneous summer day a few years back because it was then that I first understood how much I enjoyed taking pictures of people in their everyday lives. Since then, we've kept in touch to work together when her schedule allows whenever she visits New York.

I feel like I've fallen behind in terms of blogging, or more specifically, the act of setting aside time to write the way I used to, away from that addictive device we call a phone. I know that developing a routine won't happen by itself until I'm more deliberate about making the time, so I thought I'd take advantage of the fact that I'm in the mood to write and share these photographs I took of Natalia Borges.

In between figuring out where we can find a space to create for the sake of collaboration, Natalie recalled how gorgeous the natural light always seems to be in her old apartment, so it became a no-brainer to take advantage of the fact that she still had access to it. Natalie had recently moved into a new apartment in New York during the time we took these portraits.

I feel it’s always helpful to keep your eyes open for things that no one has asked you to do but that need to get done.

Things are always going to be expected of you regardless, perhaps because they’re either part of your job description or simply part of your responsibility in life.

The easiest approach to feel good about what you do is to not always anticipate anything in return since that's when nice things come your way. It's what you normally do beyond what's expected that can frequently get you noticed.

I frequently witness this. I understand that as individuals and as creatives, our time is valuable, and we should be paid for the value we offer to a space, but sometimes it's not all about us.

Going above and beyond what is asked of you, sharing your knowledge, and knowing that you can leave a place while recognizing that you have done your job well and that you have delivered beyond will, in my opinion, is the biggest contribution you can make anywhere. Your influence will then be felt whether or not you are in there or not.

I think that in the environment we currently live in, it's incredibly simple to get self-absorbed, and that tendency frequently prevents us from understanding life's bigger picture.

The most talented artist, often times hate the self-promotion aspect of being a professional artist. They love creating it, hate promoting it. It feels inauthentic. However, it's important to remember that the world isn't going to knock on your door and ask what you made. How can we support your great project if you never tell us about it?

I will be honest. I think I struggle with talking about my work more than actually creating it; that's something I need to focus on.

Even though it consumes a lot of our time, we frequently rely on platforms to do the legwork so that others can find us. However, this approach can only go so far because the work we produce demands that we talk confidently about it.

When you get to where you envision yourself, you'll discover that your voice mattered long before you earned a title.

There's no greater freedom than not having a title but letting your influence and behaviors decide how you connect with others and make an impact.

This is the intriguing thing about the world we live in. Influence can sometimes have a greater impact than a title, especially when the two don’t always go hand in hand.

I’m not a “professional” photographer because I don’t do it for a living but not having that title doesn’t take away the value and work I’ve had the opportunity to make either way. It drives me crazy when I see people holding back from ideas or opinions they may have simply because they may not be in position to do this or that but

Former soccer player Emilio has always been active and works as a personal trainer at Session NYC in Brooklyn. With the weather turning towards spring, I recently had the chance to catch up with him for some lifestyle work in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

I realize this might come across as a rather controversial statement but the reality is I agree with Justin Mott, especially because I see it a lot, particularly when YouTube photographer are very often are given the opportunity to test out new camera and end result of their testing is beyond mediocre work that lacks inspiration.

“Most of the biggest YouTubers…that have channels focused about photography, aren’t even the best photographers…in the world, so stop looking at them for inspiration. I’m not trying not trash these people, I’m not trying to put myself on a pedestal, my ultimate goal is to help you improve. They don’t have to be good at photography…they have to be good at YouTube. They’re not making their income from photography, they’re making them income in talking about photography.”

I've never felt comfortable taking photos in a studio because, even though you have all the equipment you could possibly need, walking into the room without a clear plan can sometimes leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. Luckily I'm in no shortage of Pinterest mood-boards, so whenever the opportunity to step into a space that's equivalent to a blank canvas, you collaborate with the talent in front of you to end up with work that you're both happy with in the end. This time around I teamed up with Gabby to photograph at between (space) studio in Brooklyn.

Make sure you're spending enough time alone because you can't find yourself in anyone else. How are you suppose to get to know who you are when you're just around people all the damn time? You gotta have that time of isolation because that's when you get to know yourself.

I often read something light as the evening goes on. If I'm not in the mood to read, though, I'll watch a little TikTok to pass time. The best part is when you stumble into something you didn't realize you needed to hear until you hear it. I recently watched a video by Miguel Mendoza in which he emphasized the importance of spending time alone.

There’s a reason why I enjoy waking up at 6am in the morning to eat breakfast or to head out for a 6 mile run. I’ve found that the times I’ve spent alone have been some of the most enlightening because you get to ask yourself the hard questions: What do I truly want? What am I afraid of? What makes me happy? These are questions that are often suppressed in the hustle and bustle of daily interactions, especially when it’s easy to get swept up in the tide of other people’s expectations.

I love both photography and travel and often times, at its core, they both can be a solitary journey and while the goal is not to necessaily “be alone”, I agree with the statement that everyone needs that space to themselves as much as you probably need a good message to recover you body every now and then.

El Salvador is changing rapidly in ways that are beyond anyone's control. It's very different from how I remember it as an 8-year-old who visited every summer. Back then, my parents preferred for my brother and I to spend time with our extended family in a country that would soon feel like our second home, rather than staying in a New York apartment during the summer while they worked.

The changes are long overdue. Without delving too much into politics, it's clear that our current President Bukele has done more for the country than anyone I can remember. While I'm not as knowledgeable about political discussions or ideologies as I'd like to be, it's evident that the President's slogan encapsulates why El Salvador is in its current state. His slogan is, "money lasts when no one steals."

This newfound sense of safety in the country has not only attracted a significant number of tourists and attention but has also drawn back those who fled in the 1980s, returning to the place where they grew up, despite being forced to leave.

Although I was born in the States, visiting every summer brought a whirlwind of emotions. We would say goodbye to our parents for two months and then farewell to our extended family after forming strong bonds. I'll always be grateful for those experiences, as they instilled in me pride in my culture and heritage. These visits instilled a deep sense of pride in me, motivating me to continually photograph a country that is still progressing.

Check out the rest of the photographs I've taken of El Salvador. In my opinion, this will be a lifelong project as long as I can keep visiting this beautiful country.

In the past, I haven't talked much about my work because I didn't see the connection between my photography and my job in luxury retail. Recently, though, I've noticed striking similarities, and I realize how important it is to acknowledge them. It's difficult to compartmentalize my identity when both fields profoundly shape who I am.

Both photography and retail require understanding people and being attuned to very short lived moments. In retail, you quickly develop empathy, learning to read expressions, decipher needs, and gauge happiness. There are subtle forces at play that you only recognize through experience. Similarly, behind the camera, where I often don't know what I'm looking for until it happens.

Finding a story in everyday life is a common thread. Every client has a reason for coming into the store, just as every photograph captures a unique story. You know you're on the right track with a client when you feel it, much like recognizing a great photo when you see it.

Though city streets and sales floors seem unrelated, they are connected by storytelling. Retail focuses on the customer and product, while street photography centers on the subject and environment. Both require keen observation, the ability to see beyond appearances, and capturing the true essence of what’s in front of you and not any preconceived notions we often build in our head.

Working on the sales floor has taught me that time and patience are crucial. You can't rush a transaction; success relies on anticipating the client's needs and responding appropriately.

This principle applies to photography as well: I've learnt to wait for the right shot, whether it's the optimum light, the perfect expression, or the critical moment when everything just comes together perfectly.

Somehow I envision that every neighborhood like Roma Norte in Mexico City or The Latin Quarters in Paris have these secret spots where you can find people like a baristas who doodles on napkins during breaks, teachers whose hands are splattered with paint, or waiters who also happen to be musicians. Essentially those who work a day job, which is nothing new, and who in their spare time indulge in creative pursuits. Finding a balance between one's creative side and everyday survival necessities is an age-old struggle.

Not much has changed in the last century. For the most part, it often feels like people outside the creative community are unaware of the delicate dance that goes on between creating art, making ends meet, and battling existential questions. Questions like, if you say you're a photographer but it's not your full-time gig, does that still make you a photographer? These are the questions that often pop into my head. Deep down, I know the answer, but sometimes doubts creep in.

I believe we should drop the notion that artists have to make a living solely from their work to avoid being labeled failures. People sometimes see having a side job not as a clever way to support one's talent, but as a compromise and a sign of defeat. But why should pursuing artistic dreams be an all-or-nothing deal? Why can't we recognize and appreciate the strength and stamina it takes to juggle multiple roles? Although this isn't always the case for many, I work in retail and am fortunate in that my schedule is generally predictable, making it possible for me to plan photography related opportunities around it.

I feel we should chat more about the daily grind artists deal with: waking up early, staying up late, and balancing what we have to do with what we want to do. We should also consider the societal pressures that limit how we define success and think about ways to see creativity as something that can fulfill our lives.

To every artist out there: Tell me how you walk this tightrope. What are your experiences juggling life and art? Talk about your experiences, with the intention to build a conversation that honors the complex lives of those who have the courage to pursue something that may see easy from the outside but it’s the complete opposite on the other side of the fence.

Thirteen years. It’s enough time for the world to change a few times over, but here I am, a constant in the ever-evolving world of luxury retail. For over a decade, I’ve walked a few polished floors, greeted numerous clients, and watched as the seasons turned and trends shifted. My role has stayed largely the same, but the experiences have been anything but static.

In this time, I’ve had the privilege to dive into projects that have taken me beyond the confines of my position. These opportunities have given me a front-row seat to the inner workings of the business, introduced me to remarkable people, and offered a deeper understanding of what makes this place tick. It's been an education that no textbook or seminar could ever match.

When people claim to know something based on experience, it's not just about hearing what it's like. It's about diving in, feeling overwhelmed, and thinking they've gotten in over their heads. In reality, that feeling comes from fearing what they don't yet understand. Once they've navigated through it, everything makes sense in hindsight and this couldn’t be any more true than in my position.

Yet, there's this strange feeling that sneaks up on you after you've been around for a while. You watch your colleagues—those who started out with you—climb the corporate ladder, snagging new titles and roles. Meanwhile, you're still here, firmly planted in the same spot. It's tough not to wonder if you should've jumped at those opportunities that passed by earlier in your career. Did I make the right calls? Should I have gone for that promotion or taken on that new role?

But here's the truth: the fantasy often outshines the reality. I've witnessed it over and over. The shiny new title, the impressive new role—they're tempting, no doubt. But with those come added responsibilities, fresh challenges, and often, a drift away from what you originally loved about the work. You can't advance while clinging to the same approach you started with. It's just not how progress happens, nor should it be.

Staying in the same role for thirteen years isn’t about stagnation. It’s about depth, about truly mastering your craft. It’s about finding joy in the day-to-day, in the small victories and the steady rhythm of a job well done. It’s about having the time to pursue what you love outside of work, to maintain a balance that many people spend their whole lives searching for.

So, is it good or bad to stay in the same position for so long? It’s a matter of perspective. For me, it’s been a journey of growth, of learning to appreciate the nuances, and of finding a balance that works for me. It’s not about the titles or the ladder; it’s about the life I’ve built around this job and the freedom it affords me to pursue my passions.

In a society that values constant advancement, there's something valuable in sticking with what you know and getting better at it. It's nice to find happiness in where you are now and realize that moving up isn't always the only measure of success—it’s about understanding what truly matters to you.

I’ve always believed that the true essence of a place isn't found in its tourist traps or polished facades. It's hidden in the nooks and crannies, in the everyday hustle of the locals, which is precisely why I've never enjoyed any kind of all-inclusive vacation. If there is a bubble that we are advised to vacation in, as a photographer, who is essentially a tourist, I will almost certainly be curious about what's outside of it.

That same mentality is what drew me to Gladiadores De Chichén Itzá, a small, unassuming boxing gym tucked away in the heart of Cancún. I didn’t plan this visit; it was one of those spontaneous detours fueled by curiosity and a longing for authenticity.

On my first evening, I wandered into the gym, camera and flash in hand, half expecting to be turned away. Instead, I was met with a warmth that caught me off guard. The boxers, eyes steely with focus, and the trainers, voices hoarse with passion, welcomed me into their world without a second thought. I spent hours there, snapping shots and soaking in the raw, unfiltered energy of the place and quite frankly even the sweat which was accentuated against the humidity that dominates a places like Cancun.

Gladiadores De Chichén Itzá isn't just a gym. It's a haven for those who are passionate about boxing. The walls, worn and sweat-stained, tell tales of countless rounds and dreams chased. There's a gritty beauty in its simplicity—a stark contrast to the glossy, commercialized side of Cancún that most people see.

On my second visit, the sense of community was even stronger. The boxers, a mix of seasoned fighters and fresh-faced rookies, moved with a rhythm that showed their discipline and determination. There was no pretense, no showmanship—just raw dedication. I felt like more than just an observer; I was part of their world, capturing moments that felt intimate and real.

As I left the gym that night, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that this was more than just a random visit. There's a story here that needs to be told, a project brewing in my mind that definitely calls for another visit, or maybe several. The raw vibe of the gym, the realness of its people, and the unspoken stories behind every punch and bead of sweat—they all need to be captured and all I need is more time.

Cheers to unexpected side trips and the amazing discoveries they reveal. Gladiadores De Chichén Itzá has really left its mark on me, and I'm eager to go back with my camera, all set to capture the essence of this incredible place. It just goes to show, sometimes the most unforgettable stories come to you when you least expect them. View the rest of the photographs from this impromptu visit here.

If you're wondering what camera I used for the photos, it’s the Leica Q2. I paired it with a trigger to activate the off-camera flash on the Godox AD200, which had a dome attached.

As a photographer, at some point, I believe it's a good idea to focus on a specific style or area in your work. Whether that entails having a unique approach or a distinct look, it's all about finding what makes your work stand out in a busy field.

This isn’t to say that we should box ourselves in. Experimentation is the lifeblood of creativity. Without it, we stagnate, and there’s risk of losing the spark that drives us to pick up the camera in the first place.

Having a strong foundation—a defined style or aesthetic that lends your work a distinctive signature—is essential when making these journeys into new area. So even when you are deviating from what you’re known for, it’s still very important that your unique perspective and approach be incredibly recognizable in the work. This is what turns your experimentation into something effective rather than feeling like you’re not developing.

Imagine a chef discovering new foods. Anthony Bourdain was that adventurous soul, always up for trying something new. But beyond just his bold tastes, there was this deeper philosophy driving his travels—a certain grit and authenticity that were uniquely his. As photographers, we need that same inner character. It’s what sets us apart from just being another person with a camera, snapping pictures without purpose.

Specializing in something doesn’t mean you have to stop being curious. It’s really about sharpening your focus so that when you do explore new areas, your unique touch still shines through. It’s like having a distinctive voice that stands out, even if you're speaking a different language.

A lot of people worry about narrowing their focus, especially if they love photographing all kinds of things. But I say, “Embrace the journey of finding your niche.” Let it develop naturally, guided by what you’re passionate about and your experiences. When you’re inspired to try something new, go for it with purpose and keep a strong sense of your artistic self. That’s how you’ll make work that truly connects—with others and with your own creative heart.

When I found out I was selected as one of 5 Louis Vuitton employees to be an LV Reporter for UNICEF in Guatemala, it hit me like a whirlwind of emotions—honor, excitement, and a profound sense of responsibility. This isn't just another tick on my career bucket list; it feels like the start of a deeply personal adventure.

As I get ready for this journey, my mind is racing with questions and curiosities. What will it be like to meet these children who’ve faced so much adversity? How do they find joy and resilience in such tough circumstances?

These kids are often tucked away in remote areas, far from the headlines. But UNICEF is there, making a difference with child friendly spaces, educational programs, and a whole lot of heart.

This trip isn’t just about collecting stories; it’s about connecting with people. It’s about stepping beyond the numbers and the reports, and really seeing the faces behind the statistics.

I can’t wait to share these real, raw stories with the Louis Vuitton community and beyond. It’s a chance to highlight the crucial work of humanitarian efforts and remind us all of our role in supporting those in need.

I'm incredibly grateful to Louis Vuitton and UNICEF for this chance to step into such meaningful work. This journey is about more than just observing—it's about giving a voice. I hope to bring back tales that spark empathy, understanding, and a call to action. This experience is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together to make a difference in the lives of children everywhere.

Disclaimer: UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.

When people assume I do photography for a living, they’re missing the messy reality behind the scenes. What keeps my passion alive is treating it with the same seriousness and relentless curiosity as if it were my full-time job, even when I don’t have a lot going on behind the camera. In those moments, a couple of things could happen, but the route I tend to veer towards always leads to creating something with my camera. Not everything I photograph is paid, but because I don't do it for a living, I feel I have the advantage of creating just for the sake of it.

Recently, I met up with Martin at the Hollywood Health Club in Long Beach, NY. This gym has an outdoor section that really appealed to me. All I needed was someone okay with me documenting their workout routine, good weather, and the imagination to pretend I was commissioned by Men's Health Magazine to capture what I had in mind.

As creatives, I think we’ve all done our fair share of free work, either because it’s gotten us closer to someone or provided us access to places that we feel has potential to further our career. There’s nothing wrong with this strategic move but if you happen to find yourself doing it more than you would like as you’re building your career, I highly suggest taking this advise offered by filmmaker and photographer Trent Erwin:

1. Create an invoice for how much it would cost
2. Provide the 100% discount
3. Send the invoice to the client

This is HUGE because it frames your work within the correct price and expectations. The client takes you and the project more serious. And they know what to expect for the next project because it won’t be free.

The West Indian Day Parade is not just a tradition; it’s literally a burst of color, sound, and life that takes over on the same week of Labor Day. I’ve known about it forever, always intrigued but never quite dived in with my camera. As a photographer, it’s a goldmine. It's has everything I would normally gravitate to when holding a camera; vibrant costumes, electric energy, and faces lit up with pure joy.

But there's another side to it, a bit of a reputation that lingers over the whole thing. The excitement can sometimes spill over into chaos, like when one person’s over-the-top behavior ruins it for everyone else. So, I’ve kept my distance, watching from the TV or social media, always tempted but never fully jumping in. It's not the parade itself that holds me back, but the unpredictability of what happens when the celebration gets a little too wild.

Unfortunately, my biggest fear did come true, and while part of me is relieved it happened after I left, it’s really tough knowing that people got hurt. In the end, the celebrations were absolutely beautiful. If you’re curious, you can check out the rest of the photos from the festivities. Oh, and by the way, in case you're wondering, I shot all of them with the Leica Q2.

New York is packed with artists—so many, it’s easy to overlook the potential camaraderie that thrives here. The city often feels too fast, too busy for real connection. But if you pause and let curiosity guide you, that's when the magic happens. I recently met Johnna Slaby, an artist from the vibrant Ikuno neighborhood in Osaka. Now based in Brooklyn, her bold, energetic paintings continue to inspire everyone she encounters.

This year, I had the incredible opportunity to visit Guatemala with UNICEF in partnership with Louis Vuitton. The purpose of our trip was meaningful and impactful, yet as our fieldwork drew to a close, we found ourselves with a few precious days to explore and immerse ourselves in the essence of the city and of course as a photographer, it's an opportunity you're not willing to let pass.

What struck me most was how much it reminded me of El Salvador. Every photograph I took felt like a tribute to Central America. If you ever get the chance to explore Guatemala, don’t just visit, immerse yourself. You might just find pieces of home in the most unexpected places and so I wanted to share with you a few photographs of the experience.

Photography is an expensive habit, especially when it’s not your profession. The desire for gear is nonstop, and it’s always easy to justify. A new lens, a better body, a sharper piece of glass, it’s an endless cycle of “what ifs” and “just maybes.” But eventually, you hit a point where you realize the gear you already own is enough. The real challenge isn’t in upgrading your tools, it’s in upgrading yourself.

That’s when the investment shifts. Instead of pouring money into a new lens you don’t actually need, you start to invest in the work itself. The personal projects. The stories you want to tell, the places you want to explore. But here’s the thing: even those projects cost money. Flights, film, gas, time, it all adds up. And unless you’ve got a steady paycheck tied to your craft, the question becomes: how do you fund it?

For me, it happened almost by accident. I have this separate savings account linked to Qapital, which is an app that automates savings by skimming off the top of everyday transactions. It’s a “set it and forget it” kind of deal, and honestly, I do forget about it. Until one day, I’ll log in and bam, there’s a little pile of money I wasn’t even thinking about. That’s my “do what I want” fund, and it’s become a quiet enabler of my work.

Thanks to that little account, I’ve been able to fund multiple trips to El Salvador without feeling like I’m emptying my pockets all at once. It’s not about extravagance, it’s about freedom. The freedom to say yes to a trip, to a project, to an idea, without the weight of financial regret.

I’ve always wondered if other photographers have something similar, a secret stash for the things that really matter. Not gear, but the work itself. The trips, the prints, the little obsessions that remind us why we picked up the camera in the first place. Maybe you set it up intentionally. Maybe it just happens, like it did for me. Either way, it’s a quiet reminder: sometimes, the best investment isn’t in what you buy, it’s in what you make.

Being a photographer today demands more than technical skills; it’s about growing as a storyteller. While this is no secret, there's very few discussions that go into what this truly means in practice. That’s where Daniel Milner shines. A former newspaper, magazine, and commercial photographer turned long-term project advocate, Milner offers valuable insights into this topic.

I recently revisited one of his YouTube videos, and it struck a chord. Sometimes, we need reminders to realign with our goals, and this video did just that for me. As I deepen my focus on documentary photography and plan a project in Cartagena, Colombia, Milner’s advice felt especially relevant and motivating.

In the video, he outlines five key practices for growth: Read daily, write daily, speak about your work, experiment and collaborate

This video is a must-watch for photographers looking to grow, adapt, and create meaningful work.

Admitting this wasn’t easy, but I love photography for what it is, not for what it could be as a livelihood. We live in a world where passions are justified only if you can monetize it and make it into a business.

For me, photography is about noticing: stepping out with a camera, no agenda, just the hope of capturing something intriguing. It’s the process of seeing patterns, textures, and light. I didn’t start to prove anything, I started because it pulled me out of my head, out of what I normally do and it still allows me to meet people.

But eventually culture shifted. Social media turned hobbies into brands and passions into side hustles. Loving something wasn’t enough anymore; you had to share it, package it, monetize it. And I fell for it. I chased engagement, wondering if I should “level up.” At first, it felt good, but soon the pressure set in. Photography became an obligation instead of an escape.

So, I stepped back. I remembered why I started: for how it made me feel, present, grounded, alert. It was never about creating something “good” or “valuable.” It was about creating something that felt like mine.

I already have a full-time job. Photography doesn’t need to be another. That’s why it matters to me, it’s free from deadlines, clients, or metrics. I can photograph what I want, when I want, without worrying if it’s “enough.” That freedom is non-negotiable and a lot of what guides me is my curiosity although I always remain open for when an opportunity comes by.

I still share my work, but only on my terms. If people notice, great. If not, it doesn’t lessen my joy. The world doesn’t owe me attention because I love what I do.

Sometimes, it’s enough to have something that’s just yours. Photography doesn’t need to be my job to matter. In fact, that makes it even more meaningful.

I’ve always seen photography as storytelling. It's a way to document what we see and make narratives out of it. But recently, I’ve come to realize there are entire stories I’ve been missing. Not out of malice or willful ignorance, but because of a blind spot I can no longer ignore.

A few days ago, I wrote on Threads: "Most of the photographers I’ve met have been men, not intentionally, not by design, but it’s a blind spot I recognize. I want to meet more females in the industry. It’s not about balance; it’s about realizing what perspective I’ve been missing. To the women out there who live and breathe this craft: I hope we cross paths. Let’s talk, shoot, and share stories and inspiration."

The response floored me. Women carving paths in this industry shared their stories, struggles, and triumphs. Their message was clear: "we’re here, and we’ve always been here. You just weren’t looking hard enough."

It’s not easy to confront your own blind spots, but it’s necessary. As photographers, we pride ourselves on seeing what others overlook. But how can I claim clarity if I’m not even looking in the right direction?

Women in photography aren’t a niche. They’re pioneers, visionaries, storytellers. They see the world through a lens I, as a man, will never fully understand and that’s why their perspectives are vital. It’s not about diversity checkboxes. It’s about the stories and insights I’ve been missing.

I think of Jill Freedman's raw and powerful street photography, or Gabriela Herman’s beautiful personal projects that explore identity and connection. These women didn’t just contribute to photography; they redefined it for me.

Yet how often do we fail to see the women with cameras around us, their stories untold?

So, here’s me, holding myself accountable. To the women who live and breathe this craft: I see you. I want to see more of you. Let’s talk. Let’s shoot. Let’s share stories and inspiration. Because this craft isn’t just about light and shadow, aperture and shutter speed. It’s about connection. And connection starts with truly seeing.

Anthony Bourdain once said, "You learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together." I think the same is true when you share a camera. Let’s share ours.

For the past 2 years, on January 1st, with camera in hand, I've been standing at the edge of the Atlantic as brave people dive headfirst into the icy water for The Annual Polar Bear Plunge at Coney Island. It's like a frosty baptism to shake off anything bad that might have lingered from the year before. It's a bit of madness, both for the idea of heading into cold waters but equally so because of the crazy outfits in which people show up for this spectacle that in the end is for a great cause.

Some sprint, others shuffle, some hesitate just long enough to laugh nervously to realize what they've gotten themselves into. And I shoot. I don’t look for perfection, because perfection is boring. What matters is the rawness on their faces, the shock, the joyful, as well as the terrified looks. There's something grounding about starting the year among strangers who are crazy enough to jump into freezing water. It’s a reminder that life, at its best, is a little unhinged. And that’s worth showing up for, camera in hand or not.

You can view the rest of the gallery of the photos from the Polar Beach Plunge in Coney Island.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on this question: “How do I get known?” It’s something so many of us obsess over, as if fame is the ultimate goal. But here’s the thing, fame for its own sake isn’t the answer. The real question is, “Known for what?”

If your answer is vague, like “For my photographs,” it’s time to dig deeper. It’s not just about being known; it’s about finding an audience, people who connect with your work and your message. So instead, ask yourself, “How do I find my audience?”

The first step is clarity. What do you want to be known for? Be specific. What kind of photographs do you create? What stories do you want to tell? What experiences do you want to evoke? And most importantly, what do you want to give to the world through your art? These are questions I ask myself daily and while it's good to continue picking up a camera and practicing our craft, there's a different experience to it when we begin doing with a deeper purpose in mind.

This is where focus becomes essential. You can’t be everything to everyone, and trying will only dilute your voice. Specializing isn’t a limitation, it’s what sets you apart. The more specific and passionate your vision, the more it will resonate.

Take the time to discover what makes your work uniquely you. Don’t try to be everything to everyone. It doesn’t work. It never has, and it never will. Pick a lane. Specialize. Own it. Because the more specific and unapologetic you are, the more you’ll stand out. People don’t connect with one-size-fits-all. They connect with raw, real, and you.

Lean into that. Define your vision, refine your voice, and stop chasing the shiny idea of fame and start chasing meaning.

I meet a lot of people. Friends, coworkers, strangers who strike up a conversation when they find out I’m a photographer. Most of them aren’t in the industry. They’ll ask about my camera, mention how they “used to be into photography,” or, inevitably, hit me with “I’ve always wanted to do a photoshoot!” It’s casual, effortless, and usually leads either nowhere or somewhere, which is fine. Not every conversation has to be a transaction.

But other photographers? That’s a different story.

You’d think we’d run into each other all the time, there are so many of us, especially here in New York, all hustling, all creating. But meeting another photographer in the wild, especially when you’ve got a full-time job on top of this passion, is rare. And when it does happen, there’s this unspoken moment of assessment: Is this worth my time?

I get it. We’re all stretched thin. Time is our most limited resource, and when you’re trying to turn photography into something more than an expensive hobby, every interaction feels like it needs to mean something. A shoot, a collaboration, a networking opportunity, something that moves the needle forward. Just hanging out? Talking shop without a purpose? Feels almost indulgent.

And maybe that’s the reason. It’s easier to meet people who don’t live in this world because they don’t come with that underlying pressure. They’re just curious. No subtext, no subtle business negotiation, just a normal, human conversation.

I don’t blame photographers for this, we’re all just trying to make it, trying to make time for the thing we love while juggling the thing that pays the bills. But man, I do miss the idea of just kicking back with fellow creatives, not worrying about what comes next, the way it use to be like back during the Instagram Meetup days.

I can’t say I have a lot of photographer friends. I know of people, but that’s different. We cross paths at events, follow each other online, maybe comment on a post here and there. But real friendships? Those are rare. And maybe that’s just the nature of the game. Or maybe, like everything else, it just comes down to time, something we never seem to have enough of.

Don’t begrudge those experiences that take time away from your art. They are not time wasted. Art is a way of seeing…it will always be with you, whether you are creating or not. For, in the life of the artist there is not unimportant experiences because every experience is a moment of fresh sensation. - Kent Nerburn in The Artist's Journey - On Making Art & Being an Artist

I used to feel guilty when a few days passed without capturing something substantial with my camera, especially when there were no travels on the horizon or exciting plans in the near future. I’d find myself dabbling in small projects, trying to stay creatively occupied, but often questioning the value of it all. It’s easy to forget that even these seemingly inconsequential moments—those times spent away from the camera, hold significance. They’re not wasted. Every experience, no matter how small, contributes to my growth as an artist.

As Kent Nerburn says, "Art is a way of seeing," and those moments, whether directly linked to creating or not, are always shaping my perspective, enriching my art in ways I may not immediately recognize.

In case you're in the look for a book that gets you thinking a lot about the experience of being an artist, especially during those times that you experience self-doubt, I highly recommend this book: The Artist's Journey - On Making Art & Being an Artist.

I've shared in the past that I don't have many photographer friends but I assume that when you do, you would probably often find ourselves in a comfortable bubble. The same group of photographers, the same industry circles, and the same predictable feedback loops. It feels safe, it feels good but leaning into what Daniel Milnor references, it’s not where growth happens. As Daniel puts it, "if you're only seeking validation from those who speak the same language, you're missing the point."

The money quote for me in this article, which I encourage you to read, is this:

"Show your work to people who don’t think about photography....This will crush your ego. It will, but the broader conversation isn’t being held by photographers. The broader conversation is being held by civilians. The sooner you can tap into the greater world the better off you will be, and my guess is that photographer will become even richer."

I first connected with Steven Onoja years ago, and since then, he’s accomplished so much, including publishing his first photo book, Sound of Pain, a deeply moving memoir about a son navigating the loss of his mother.

Recently, I got the chance to reconnect with him in a Brooklyn studio, where we collaborated and created together. These days, he’s continues to be a visual storyteller and writer who effortlessly blends his creativity with fashion. It’s always amazing to see how much of his personality shines through in the way he dresses.

I've been meaning to spend more time here. Every so often, I sit down, open this page, and tell myself I’m going to write something. And then, nothing. It’s not that I don’t want to; I just get stuck not knowing what to say.

Taking pictures comes naturally. Writing about them, or about the process, feels not too exciting. Not because there’s nothing happening, there’s always something happening but because putting it into words feels different. Slower. More vulnerable, maybe. Yet, I know there’s value in sharing the stories around the images too, the moments between shots, the lessons learned, the quiet reflections no lens could ever capture.

Still, I want to make more space for this. Not perfect posts, not long essays, just a place to catch the thoughts that don’t fit into a frame. The small things: what’s working, what’s not, the in-between.

So here’s me, making a small commitment to show up here more often, even when I’m unsure of what to say. Maybe I’ll write about a recent shoot, a challenge I’m facing, a piece of gear I’m loving (or hating), or simply a thought about the creative process itself.

Lately, I’ve been pulled toward an idea that feels a little sideways, which is shooting portraits with a wide-angle lens. Not the usual move. Wide angles are supposed to be for landscapes but I kept thinking: what if you used that space to get closer instead of pulling away?

I recently picked up the Sigma 16-28mm on Facebook Marketplace in mint condition for the Leica SL3 and finally brought it into the studio to create with Ashley Capri. Honestly, I didn’t know if it would work. I worried the distortion would just get in the way, or worse, flatten the connection I usually look for. Instead, I believe it cracked something open.

The 16-28mm didn’t just stretch the frame, it opened up possibilities. Faces, hands, the air between things, everything felt bigger, looser, more alive. Some shots looked a little messy, but they also felt more honest. I wasn’t fighting the lens; I was letting it pull the story out differently.

The Sigma itself just worked. It's light, quick, easy. But the real thing that stuck with me wasn’t about how the gear handled. It was how photographing like this made me feel, a little off-balance, a little more awake.

I’ll definitely keep pushing in this direction. It’s unpredictable. It’s imperfect. But that’s where the good stuff usually lives anyway.

Impromptu candid photos with the one and only Noble Lyfe.

I may have casually mentioned that I work at Louis Vuitton. I’ve been with the brand for 14 years now. While I was never someone particularly into luxury products back then, working here has given me a deeper appreciation for craftsmanship and the spirit of travel, which resonate with me far more than the status symbols often associated with the brand.

As a photographer and a minimalist traveler, these days I rarely carry more than my Leica Q2 and so I’m always making random searches on YouTube and I came across an EDC video by Brandon Romanchuk. He broke down what he packed for a trip, and what caught my eye was his use of the Louis Vuitton City Keepall. It’s a piece I see often in-store but never really considered for myself. Seeing how seamlessly it carried something as compact and intentional as a Leica Q2 made me pause.

Not suggesting anything in particular but it definitely gave me a new perspective on something that’s been right in front of me for years.

One of the things I find most rewarding about photography is how it invites you to explore your own interests and curiosities. If you're willing to take the time to connect with people, there's always a chance you'll come away with images that not only make you proud, but also give someone else a meaningful memento.

Recently, I visited Herbert Von King Park in Brooklyn and found myself in the middle of something powerful: a group of guys locked into an intense calisthenics workout, pushing their limits on pull-up bars, dipping stations, and concrete benches. It wasn’t just exercise, it was a display of raw strength, rhythm, and mutual respect.

What started as casual curiosity quickly became a shared experience. I approached them not just as a photographer, but as someone genuinely interested in what they were doing. That made all the difference. They let me in, between reps and breathless laughs, between movements synchronized like choreography and moments of focused stillness.

Shooting that session reminded me that good photography is often about presence, being there, being open, and being patient. The images I came away with aren’t just snapshots of a workout, they’re documents of discipline, community, and brotherhood. And I hope they serve as a lasting record of that energy, not just for me, but for the crew who made it happen.

Herbert Von King Park may have just been a stop in my day, but thanks to that crew, it became a story worth telling. View the rest of the photographs from this experience.

I’m still attempting to process Anthony Bourdain’s passing. We hear news about celebrity deaths all the time and I’m not saying these are reports we should be numb to it but the initial reaction is still of disbelief. We’re spectators to the glorious lives these people live as they’re flashed on every media outlet like an ongoing slideshow but behind all that we’re never truly informed on the intricate mechanics of what we’re seeing.

I’ve written before how much I idolized Bourdain. 6 years later that admiration remains which is why his unexpected death made me reflect on what a lot of his work revolved around: everybody has a story based off their life experiences of which we may know nothing about. We can only decode so much from the outside.

We’ve all familiar with the saying that “it’s lonely at the top”. I assume while you’re up there, the desire to reveal the best image of yourself, to stay liked, to be a role model puts an insane amount of pressure on anyone. A feeling which very often goes unspoken by the person living it. Who knows if this was the case for Bourdain; he certainly didn’t seem the type to have given this celebrity quandary much thought but we’ll never know.

I’ve read all his books, I’ve seen every single one of his show episodes, I’ve followed every project he was involved in, including the very ambitious Bourdain Market which was set to open in New York but unfortunately the entire project was axed. I’ve trolled Bourdain’s work because I cared so much in listening to his perspective on life matters that extended far beyond what he was known for. While food might have been the entry way in which he gained access into people’s lives, it was more about than that. It’s that “more” element which enabled him to shine. You can’t fake being interested in people. Either you are or you’re not and that’s what he was all about.

As Helen Brosner said in a recent New Yorker piece, “Bourdain felt like your brother, your rad uncle, your impossibly cool dad—your realest, smartest friend, who wandered outside after beers at the local one night and ended up in front of some TV cameras and decided to stay there.” This is what made him so relatable. He was highly thought of and yet he never seemed as thought he thought highly of himself.

What’s not to love about a guy like that! Through his expression you can read the pain he had endured to reach the well-deserved celebrity position he was at. He lived and suffered but inspired as well. Without suffering and the occasional doubts, the mind will have a tendency to rest on cliches and stay there and there was nothing Bourdain despised more than that.

We may never have the opportunity to travel as much as his sough-after career allowed him to but I’ve learned traveling doesn’t always have to entail far long journeys. I’m fortunate to live in one of the most diverse cities in the world and not a day goes by where I don’t encounter people with different customs, different ideologies, different life perspectives and it’s those differences that Bourdain taught us to embrace.

I’m extreme sadden by Bourdain’s passing just like any other fan. He’s the reason I enrolled my son in Jiu Jitsu. He’s the reason I bought my first ever pair of Clarks Suede Desert Boots, he’s the reason I became a voracious reader, he’s the reason I love to write about what I shoot because I was inspired the way in which he narrates his travels experiences in his shows.

To do what he did required a lot of toughness but also a constant connection to reality. To me there was no one else more real than him and that’s how I’ll always remember. Speak your mind, stand by it and stay curious.

If you admire him as much as we all do, I think you'd appreciate this beautiful Life in Pictures CNN composed of his life's work.