Thoughts and Recent Happenings

Last month I had a wonderful opportunity to intern with John Derryberry at his portrait studio in Dallas. I couldn't begin to tell you all the many great things that internship taught me but he did pose a question that had me thinking. He told me that if I could answer this question I would be successful and be able to make it in this competitive industry. He asked me why I take pictures. It sounds like a simple question, but it really struck me. Do I know why I take pictures? Is it just a hobby? I couldn't answer the question.

After I finished up at the internship, with the help of my loving mother, we moved all our stuff into my parents garage and took off for a road trip to the western world. (It's weird not having a home. I'm a nomad. Thats kind of cool though.) My parents invited us to go visit my sister, brother, and a whole bunch of other family. Instead of tell you all about the road trip because you might get lost in piles of words I'll share some of my favorite pictures from the trip.... later.

So throughout this trip the question kept roaming around in my mind. Did I just waste the last five years getting a photography degree in something that is just a hobby for me? What is my purpose? Why am I doing this? It was really wearing on me. (I was probably over reacting as usual but thats besides the point.) Then one night I was sitting in a hotel room listening to Stay With Me by Sam Smith and I just started writing my thoughts down. Sometimes that is the only way I can get things straight. Leaving words in my mind is not good because they get cramped and confused,  so I set the words free and I think I discovered why I take pictures.

Do you want to know what those words were that came out of my head and laid themselves down so nicely upon my computer screen? The words that answered the question that was causing me so much grief? Well these are them:

"Imagine a world where the only emotion that exists is love. Every friendship, every relationship, every stranger. The woman in the tie dye shirt stumbling down the street. The man in the baggy shirt holding his dog in one hand. The teenagers causing all that ruckus skateboarding down the street, or the waitress at the bar in the short, blue, dress. Every decision made, every thought that crosses every mind. No jealousy, no bitterness, no insecurities. No fighting, no vengeance, no war. I guess that is why I photograph. I want to connect people. I want to show love. I want to focus on what is good in this world and what this world could be. I want to take a moment to smile and make others smile. I want to take people away from the ugly that is all around. I want carry on my dad’s legacy. I want to show my future children that I believe in this beautiful world we live in. I believe in a place where the only emotion that exists is love." 

So now you too know why I take pictures. Or maybe none of that  made sense and you are wondering why you wasted your time reading that. Ether way here are some pictures and stuff. All taken and edited with my Iphone.

                 

And now, to the few of you who made it this far, you get a Dancing Monkey.