Looking back on 2025 it was another good year.I learned not too long ago that every year is a good year that you are alive. I’m starting to learn that life is all about struggle. You get to one goal only to find the next mountain to climb behind it. I’m working to lower my life expectations as I’m starting to believe that happiness = reality - expectations
Southern Italy and the Amalfi Coast
I’m currently on an extended trip to Europe (mostly Italy) and we just finished a stay in Napoli and the town of Amalfi. What struck me is that the people here have such great relationships with their friends and the people in the community. I saw shop keepers saying good morning to about a dozen people as they walked past their shop. That just doesn’t happen much in the US anymore. People are afraid to interact with their barista or breakfast spot. We are in our own little world with our AirPods in. Don’t talk to anyone, don’t make eye contact, be afraid. It’s a very different mindset and mentality. Not to say one is better or worse but I miss the days where people interacted more and weren’t afraid.
When my son went to school we met a whole new group of people in our neighborhood and it made the city a much smaller place with more pleasant interactions. We now see a lot more people out and about and it’s nice to know neighbors. Why does it take a child going to school to build that sense of community? Why can’t we all just open up a little bit more and interact with one another? Communities that have relationships are stronger. People are willing to help one another and feel like an extended family. I don’t know how you change any of this but it’s been great to experience this again in Europe and this time for a longer time than the past. I hope to bring some of this back with me when I finally go back to Chicago. How long this feeling will last is unknown but I like the way I feel right now and I want to keep it as long as I can.
For the last few years I forgot why I got into photography. I haven’t been shooting for myself. I’ve been getting a shot I’ve seen elsewhere. Or thinking about what will sell in my store. I haven’t been shooting for me. I recently purchased a Fuji X-Pro 2 and I’m loving shooting Jpegs. There is something about having to slow down and really get the shot right in camera that I’m enjoying a lot more than my Sony which I just shoot raw kinda ok and fix it all later. It’s just more “fun” to have to try again. This year I’m going to focus on shooting a lot and falling back in love with the creative process.
I’m Excited again…
I’ve been searching for something in the last few years. I don’t dedicate the time I’d like to creating. I used to beat myself up on this but I’m learning to give myself more grace.
I recently got into shooting medium format film. I like the challenge, imperfections and the feeling of it. I also love the old camera bodies that are made of metal and feel like real equipment. I just got my first two rolls of film back and they are crap but it just felt good to create something that “feels” real. We’ll see how it goes but here are a few of my favs.
Cinque Terre Remix
It has been a lot of fun going through my old images and re-editing them with my style and composition. I love the vintage look of this image. To me it really feels like Italy in the 80’s.
Watkins Glen State Park - Printable Wall Art
Watkins Glen State Park has been on my travel list for a long time now. Early this year some friends of mine invited me to their family lake house. When I looked up the location I was surprised to see that it was 25 minutes from Watkins Glen. When I talked to all the travelers about going to the state park they didn’t seem too excited but I knew I needed to go since I was so close.
So on the morning of the 4th of July I headed out at 6:00 hoping to catch some of the morning light in the slot canyon. When I got there the trail was light with traffic but I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to be the only one on the hike so I set out.
Luckily the light was amazing and I was able to get the shot I came for. I was glad this trip worked out with the location and I could finally take Watkins Glen off my travel list.
Shark off the Beach of Destin Florida - Printable Art
I’ve traveled the world and most of Florida but I’ve only been to a few beaches that have been as nice as Destin Florida. During our trip we saw dolphins, lots of fish (including fish eating fish), a stingray and my favorite a shark.
I saw this guy early one morning while flying my drone. It’s a little scary how close it is to the shore but it was great to see from the comfort of the beach.
Eddie Vedder at The Chicago Theater
What a fun night of music seeing Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) at the Chicago Theater. You could feel the energy in the crowd for this special night.
Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) playing at the Chicago Theater.
Cheap Wall Art | Printable Wall Art - Navy Pier and Chicago Skyline by Drone
This picture was taken a few years ago after finally getting my first “real” drone. I was flying for a long time on mini drones around the house but this was my first full sized drone and shortly after I took a few test flights I set out to take the photo I wanted for a long time. I got to Navy Pier at 5 am to make sure as few people as possible were around. There were 2 or 3 people that were out from the night before watching me as I took off from the end of the pier. I remember watching as thousands of seagulls were flying around the area. I was hoping that none of them would interfere and send my new equipment into the ice cold waters of Lake Michigan.
I got up in the air before the sun was fully on the horizon as I didn’t want to be rushing. Once I got in position I hovered for a few minutes to wait for the sun. As it came up I was so excited to see the shot just as I had envisioned it. And voila here it is.
Chicago Skyline and Navy Pier over Lake Michigan
Cheap Wall Art | Printable Wall Art - One World Trade Building and Empire State Building
Last time I was in New York City I got the chance to take this photo from the Top of the Rock (30 Rockefeller) of the the Empire State Building with One World Trade being constructed in the background. I just happened to get the beacon on One World Trade lit up as a sign of hope in the years to come.
