Radio Silence of sorts

Hey all, it’s me. I have been MIA for awhile now and just wanted to reassure everyone that I am still around and still shooting daily. I am getting to a point where social media is more of a burden than a gift so I have been quite, well everywhere.
I have followed others that slowly post less and less and I always wonder, are they still working? Are they still making the things that I want to see or have they decided the game is too difficult? The game of trends, and fads. The game of the algorithm and all of its tedious asks. The game of competing with everyone one who just bought a camera and thought, I’ll start a business. Not to discourage those people by any means, but I think people are quick to forget the years of experience, and dedication due to a cheaper option. Sorry, not sorry.

I hope they are like me, and are seeking some peace of mind while diving into the projects they are passionate about. Things that keep you up at night with excitement. Maybe you even make a mood board, pinterest board, milanote project, or some visual way to cement your ideas in one place. Making things that have feeling. Since working on the short doc of Donald, the Hurricane Helene survivor, I have been so ever conflicted. I don’t want to make things just to make them. Especially on Youtube. I don’t want to advertise services that won’t pour back into me. I have been guilty more often than not of stretching too thin. I so enjoy meeting new people, and telling those stories. I have been fortunate enough to do this for a long time now, but I need more. Donald’s unforgettable story, has made an everlasting impression on me. It has affected the way I work, and the work I want to create. I feel very blessed to have found the passion that photography and videography spark. I am blessed to work with so many beautiful souls in amazing locations. So what does all this mean?

Carvers Gap- FujiFilm GFX 100s- 80mm 1.9

I think it’s time that I lean into what makes me the most excited to capture. My primary focus for this year will be portraiture, adventures ( elopements, engagements, sports ) and producing videos that serve a purpose. I want to continue to highlight local artisans like I was able to with Curry Goat Glass from Elizabethton. I want to build up the community of creatives around me and beyond. I want to travel more, and capture these things in places I have never seen.

Portrait of a stranger GFX 100s- 80mm 1.9

Donald- GFX 100s-, 80mm 1.9

Hasselblad X1Dii- 45mm f4

So, do you have a story to tell?

Do you have a passion for the outdoors?

Do you want to hike somewhere for sunrise, and create fine art?

Or maybe you have been deeply touched by someone, or something and want to team up to give your story a platform.

I AM HERE FOR IT.

Love you all!

Still here, and still passionate about what we make together..

Jeremy

GFX 100s- 80mm 1.9

A photographers take on journaling

What’s up everyone! Mixing it up today and digging into one of my favorite tools as a person who makes stuff daily. That isn’t always a video or a photograph, even though it mostly is. Sometimes its just making lists of To Dos or wish lists and I might put down other creative ideas.

This is why today I wanna touch on journaling, and putting thoughts to paper. I want to admit up front that I am not great at this but, its something I am working on. Some days are heavier than others, and on those days maybe I will jot down how I am feeling or whats going on in life, but mostly I pack the stuff away in my mind somewhere deep but instead I catch myself writing down anything else I can think of. I mostly use a journal or notebook for my daily To Dos. Having a place where my tasks can live, help me remember them but also gives me a quick reference when my memory takes a crap and I cant remember what I needed to do. This can be as simple as putting down that I need to do some laundry today, or take out the trash. These types of things rarely need reminders because I run into them physically when I am home for the day right but what about the others things? I write them down.

Taking notes like this, or journaling, isn’t a new practice for many people. Its therapeutic, its historic, and its just a nice tool to help organize all the thoughts in one place. There are many other videos about this but what I want to touch on is getting started. It can be hard if you are a guy especially, or just someone who doesn’t access your feeling and thoughts often. I am that guy. So for me the best way to get started was just making these To do lists. Daily. For me, getting into the habit of the act of writing down makes the next day easier, but it also makes writing easier because its not so foreign anymore. I know that there are other people out there like me so trust me when I say ,start small and with things you KNOW you can accomplish. The reward of checking those boxes off makes it much more enjoyable to attempt the process the next day, and then the next. As you get into a rhythm then write it all down. Whatever you want. There are NO rules here y’all. This is your notebook. This is your property, and this is your safe space. Share it with anyone you like but keep it close to your chest if that makes you feel better about being free to write for yourself. Peter Mckinnon talks about how he uses his notebook and I found it be be very inspiring so if you haven’t seen that then I will link it here. I tried to keep a notebook in my pocket daily to start but quickly, and I mean lighting fast remembered, I hate having shit in my pockets. I love knives but they better have a pocket clip or a belt clip. My phone goes in the back pocket and my keys stay magnetically out of the way and out of my pocket thanks to my Alpaca clip. I tried carrying my chest pack daily ( still try to ) and this helped because then I could add my Kindle to the bag and have my books readily available as well but lets face it. Im old and chest packs are probably for the younger man, and Im not small so I sweat, so this is also an issue. When I do carry my chest pack I still keep extra notebooks and pens just in case though.

So what have I found as my solution? I went to the Google in search of a notebook cover that would also double as my new wallet. After a little looking around on Etsy, I took a chance and picked up a great solution though Im afraid it will be short lived but only because I think I will upgrade to a higher quality leather option. Having my wallet is a necessity and having access to my notes is as well. So having them combined is incredible. It is larger than I prefer but its winter here so hoodies are back. This makes carrying it easy. Once summer comes this may have to be switched up, but for now I couldn’t be happier. For my notebooks, I found these on Amazon that are bulleted and makes checking the box even easier and they were affordable as well. For the pen I currently use, the kid in me is pumped to use this pen I found on Amazon as well. I find it interesting for a few reasons. To start the metal design gives me hopes that it will last longer than a plastic option. Its is a red, and black pen combined with a mechanical pencil all in one. Thats not unusual obviously but what is interesting is how it works. Its gravity fed so basically, whichever option you are looking at, say black ink for the example, is what is dispensed when you click it into action. If you have a better option or something that works for you that might also work for me I would appreciate your input. I would also like to know what works for you even if its similar to my approach. I also just love pens and paper so any tips and tricks for your favorites would be well received.