I don’t take many photos for someone highly interested and passionate about photography. At least compared to others. There are months through the winter when I don’t even touch my camera. The winter months, cold weather, and limited light demotivate me. When spring comes, I start to get associated with my gear again and make sure I remember what and how I used to do things.

The saying “once in a lifetime” is heard often. A phrase that signifies an excellent opportunity that one cannot pass up. It is a ubiquitous saying, and we may miss its literal meaning. The truth is, our travel destination could be the only time we experience it in our lives. It’s easy to convince ourselves that if we enjoyed it immensely, then this is only the first of potentially numerous times that we will be back.

We have all been there: the desire to make photographs, but our attempts to create come up flat; our inspiration continues to decrease. This can happen anywhere and anytime, but it is increasingly frustrating when our inspiration is lacking while travelling. When we travel, everything in front of us is new and fresh, but every scenic view seems uninspired; every landmark captured a thousand times before seems like another generic take.

Since I started exploring photography and learning about the science and technique, there have been some rules that I was initially led to understand as non-negotiable. But today, I know that is untrue, mainly because of my experience and technological improvements that have allowed us to move away from some of them.

If you have followed my photography for some time or recently looked at some of my work included here on this site or Instagram, you may have noticed that I am primarily a photographer who prefers colour in my photographs. I think colour is one of the most significant characteristics of my images. Some photographers choose to present only in black-and-white, and the representation of black-and-white is varied.

Fujifilm recipes have substantially changed the way I shoot. I have been using variations of recipes for the past few years, starting primarily on the Fujifilm X-E4 and then moving over to the current X-H2. These recipes have allowed me to experiment more in ways I would have never thought possible; I’ve created many images that I am very proud of after experimenting and using recipes for some time now.

If you are considering a new camera or maybe even a brand switch, you are probably immersed in online content: YouTube videos, articles, blogs, TikToks, and Instagram reels. I know it’s easy to get caught up in this information, as I am also interested in new cameras, specs, and what’s on the horizon for camera technology.

In January, I discussed inspiring photography books. That post highlighted three books that focus on street photography. In addition, those three books are widely available and are easily sourced online if you cannot find them in local bookstores. I highly recommend that you check out those three books and consider adding them to your bookshelf, especially if you are interested in street photography.

I discuss travel and travel photography quite a bit on this blog. I’m thinking about where to travel next, discussing details around what I already have booked, or discussing travel I recently returned from. Travel has become a big part of my life, and my satisfaction from doing so is unmatched. When I combine that with my love and passion for photography, they are incredibly fulfilling.

I’ve travelled a fair amount and have had the opportunity to photograph many beautiful locations. Reflecting on my travels, I am reminded of the countless stunning cities and landscapes I’ve been fortunate to be in front of. Some have been bucket list places for years; others were spectacular surprises. There will always be more places I want to experience.

When I return home after travelling, one of the first things I do is import my photos into Lightroom. I anticipate how my images will look on a bigger monitor, and I look forward to digging into them more and reflecting on what has recently transpired.

Each year brings joy, heartbreak, triumphs, and challenges as we journey through life. With every experience, we are shaped and transformed by the world around us. When January arrives, we gaze ahead, wondering what the future holds while reflecting on the year just passed. Did we achieve what we set out to? Were there unexpected twists?

Reflecting on my travels, I’ve learned to adapt better to each new adventure. With each flight and each train ride, I discover more about how to make the most of my time and worry less about how to do so. Travelling for just a few days often brings common challenges, but it is possible to enjoy a destination in a limited time fully.

I have been fortunate enough to remember when digital cameras did not exist. And then, I remember using one for the first time for a college project. The school owned the camera; I needed to borrow it because when I was introduced to digital photography, cameras were not exactly affordable. They were niche. I still remember that early Sony Mavica digital camera that stored 1.3MP images on a floppy disk.

I am thrilled that my first official book, Here and There, is now in stock and shipping. I am so happy with how this book turned out. It was exciting the moment the package arrived, and I finally saw this in physical form. The beautiful, glossy cover, the crispness of a brand-new book, and looking at each photo and how fantastic everything looks with this book overall.