“Art teaches nothing, except the significance of life.” —Henry Miller

Hey Gang,

As another decade “does the floss” and slowly wags its tail into our collective memories—I thought I would take a minute to look back on some old photos and write about the effect time has on photography.

I’ve been making photos regularly since I was in middle school (circa 1999)—”professionally” since 2009—equalling two decades of images. As I look back on the photos I’ve made—I’m starting to get a better sense of what I was “attempting to see“.

According to photojournalist, Peter Turnley—”Sometimes it takes time to realize what we are seeing. We know we need to photograph something—but it takes time to realize what we are seeing.”

Time has a way of revealing things to us. Themes begin to emerge and we get a better sense of who we are as a photographers/artists—where we’ve been & where we’re going.

I started my photography journey with a disposable camera—taking silly snapshots of my friends. Somehow that impulse evolved into a growing obsession—leading me to spend much of my college career (Psychology Major) studying photography and learning how to use a DSLR.

In 2009 I started a business with my wife which became our career for many years. After experiencing burnout (which seems to be the case among many wedding photographers) we decided on a different path. This is my origin story. However, unlike the folks who keep remaking John Wick movies—I’m getting sick of watching dogs die (i.e. I’ve told this story enough——you get it).

A new decade is upon us and with that—a new potentiality. We can depart from our past and work towards evolving into new human beings—after all, our photography changes & evolves as we do.

What sparked my interest in photography (documenting my family & friends) has remained a constant throughout the years. While my subjects stayed the same (not in the physical sense but as subjects—as it were) the style and vision in which I capture them has evolved.

That is the gift of time—a blooming sense of hope. A confidence that, as we move forward with our art, dedicating our lives to a practice, we will experience growth. Even if it’s only one frame at a time.

“All growth is a leap in the dark, a spontaneous, unpremeditated act without benefit of experience.” —Henry Miller

To growth, to novelty, to a new decade of unpremeditated acts & adventures.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

-T