Anecdote.

Val showing off his guns, Cheshire, OH.

Winter quarter was full of a lot of unexpected emotional ups and downs (although there was fair forewarning..) but I feel like I came out of it mentally stronger. It was my first time taking on a long term essay, and, enduring through it. I can remember plenty of times burning out on project ideas that I’ve started independently and failed to complete – mainly because of the slow decline in my will to endure through the emotional peaks and valleys that do come with a project like this.

The process was painful at times – but constantly talking to my subjects about it, believing in it and executing it allowed me to reach the other side. In the end, I hope I was understood – even though I was trying to do the same with them.

School’s been insanely inspiring. I’ve taken a step back on several occasions to just think outside of my head, my stress, and am amazed by the talent and drive that my peers are bringing to the table. This experience has been nothing short of AMAZING!

Today was a good day. I did things that I didn’t plan but it was nice to just go with the flow. I spent an afternoon with David and Chris Palmer in Cheshire and it was an unseasonably warm day. Mrs. Palmer called to warn me of tomorrow’s impending weather and asked if I’d come out today instead. They raise dairy calves from 0-4 months old and have about a hundred of them. Once they turn a certain age, they’re sent off to their dairy farm. If I were to raise cattle, I think I’d be partial to this kind. Can it be possible that cows are cute?!! Being in the barn with them felt incredibly calming and briefly felt like I was not in school. For a second. I forced myself to keep a 24-70 on and left my 16-35 in the car. I was frustrated because I saw so many moments that I wanted to photograph with a wide lens. I panicked, feeling like I missed some great shots. But, I tried not thinking that way and eventually got over it… sort of.

I loved how all the calves lines up so close to each other to eat their feed.

I met Terrace and her husband Richard last week when they pulled up beside me in a parking lot. Something told me I had to take their picture. They talked about how they met and eventually married. She wanted to have a tattoo done and heard about Richard doing some tattoo work. One day she pulled up to his house and the rest is history. Both of them have a lot of tattoos and interesting stories that are attached to them. Richard has been through a lot. They’ve both been married five times. Five. But they looked at each other and said they’ve found their soulmate. They were incredibly nice and seemed like the kinds of people that would give their shirts off their backs for you.

I liked this picture because of the feeling that I have when I look at Terrace. She was showing me her tattoos at that point and seemed proud of showing an important part of her to me.

As I continue to take pictures this year I want to make honest ones that are true to my subject. I want to see through their eyes and hopefully reflect what they’re feeling. Go beyond the literal, the redundant, the expected.

Here’s to another exciting, crazy, to-hell-and-back quarter.

Yes! You have arrived at the right destination. I’m back in school and things have never been better. Just wanted to throw something up until I write a proper update. Stay tuned.