Please Allow me to Introduce…..Myself

Would you look at that? A few weeks into 2024 and I’m writing again. Maybe this is now a habit?

It occurs to me that some of you might be new here, or maybe it’s been awhile. Either way, I probably didn’t do a formal introduction of who I am and what this site is all about.

• I am father of two.

• I have been a husband for the last 16 plus years.

• I am an Eagle Scout and actively involved in Scouting with a few different roles.

• I ran a 50K a few years ago (for fun) but I still don’t consider myself a runner.

• I am a photographer.

• I am someone who loves the outdoors.

So let’s break it all down. Born and raised and in Kansas City, moved to Dallas in 2016. My wife and I have two kids (boy and girl) and a house full of animals. I am a dog person at heart, but the cats in the house are ok. I am Eagle Scout and as of late, have gotten involved once again. I have been back in it since my son was in Kindergarten. I started as a Den Leader, now I have moved up to Cubmaster. I have also helped lead a few Adult Leader Trainings as well as have taken a few myself. (check out the previous posts for more information).I have fun a few half and full marathons, as well as a 50K. I continue to play soccer as often as I can, so I’m in decent enough shape, but I’m not truly a runner. Between photographing my kids’ activities, just being a dad and a husband, being a Scout, and holding down a regular full time job (not photography) I stay pretty busy. Maybe I’m too busy, but you will never find me without something going on.

Hiking, camping, playing soccer, taking photos, it doesn’t matter. I am happy when I’m outside. I’ve been to several state parks, Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico, the Smokey Mountains. It doesn’t matter. As long as I’m outside, I’m happy. I can always find something new, something overlooked.

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” — Albert Einstein

That’s probably the best way to describe my photography. It’s outdoors. It’s the beautiful landscapes, the hustle and bustle of the city, but it’s also the details. It’s the little things. The things you miss if you don’t slow down.

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.” — Ferris (Matthew Broderick)

Welcome to 2024

“New Year, New Me.”

“Out with the old, in with the new. “

“This year will be different.”

“I will start on Monday.”

Yeah yeah, whatever. This isn’t one of those posts. I mean, it is because it’s New Year’s Day AND Monday, but that’s just a coincidence.

I am not consistent with the blog, but I still think it’s important. I’m not dwelling on the past. I’m not looking back. I’m not looking at what I didn’t do, personally or professionally. It’s not about what I didn’t accomplish last year. It’s about reflecting on the good times (and bad) of last year, the last few years, etc. It’s recognizing patterns, rediscovering (or better yet, accepting) who I am and moving forward with that.

“Photography gives you the opportunity to use your sensibility and everything you are to say something about and be part of the world around you. In this way, you might discover who you are, and with a little luck, you might discover something much larger than yourself.” — Peter Lindbergh

I rediscovered my why for Scouting last year. (If you haven’t already, read through the previous entries) As much as I am a photographer, I am a Scout as well. Once an Eagle Scout, Always an Eagle Scout. I am always looking to help people. It’s who I am. It’s what I do.

I’m not a person who makes resolutions to change myself for the New Year. I do have goals to work on this year, some of which are an extension of last year. Just because the calendar changes, doesn’t mean that my motivation or reasoning is different.

My vision is to use my passions for people, the outdoors, and photography to build a better world where people are self-fulfilled and being their best selves.