I am lucky to have had the ability to travel home for winter break. I get to wake up everyday with the view that you see above. This is part of the Gore Range here in Silverthorne and it is now my new home away from home. My parents sold their house in Golden and have moved to Silverthorne in a nice place right next to Blue River. It’s a pretty tough place to be especially when you realize that I’m 10 minutes from Copper Mountain. Anyways, I’ve been wanting to share some images from up here and share some thoughts I had this past year.
Many people will say that 2020 was one of the worst years ever. For me it wasn’t, it was a time of growth contemplations and discovery. Which will often happen in the context of a tough year, if you have the right mindset . I was finally able to find closure from a relationship I was stuck on, I made my own prints for the first time, bought a new film camera (one from the bucket list), and I hit my first block as a photographer. This year was also one of the toughest semesters of engineering school I’ve had. It felt like there wasn’t ever time for a break so being here, away from St. Louis, has been much needed.
I have a couple photography goals this year. The first is that I really want to get published. I’m not sure why this hasn’t been a goal in the past, but for whatever reason I finally feel ready. I want to get published in order to provide further context for making images and sharing what I think is interesting. Making images for myself has always been enough, and being able to document what happens around me has always be what drives me to create. That being said I’ve realized that my images can and probably should be used to tell stories that can be shared with a broader audience. So this year I’m hoping to get some images published in some way. I’m looking at the revampt Outdoor Idaho Magazine, Idaho Magazine, and really whomever may be interested. If you’re reading this and you’re like, “I know someone that would love to publish this guy,” please don’t hesitate to reach out!
The second goal for this year is to start focusing on a a personal body of work. As I’ve said before I usually get inspired to shoot by documenting life around me. But, as I dive deeper into my film photography I want a more artistic challenge. What really made me want to start a personal project is the passing of a really special person named Paul Kresge. Paul was, among other things, my dad’s “ski instructor” a true playful child at heart who intentionally dusted his wisdom and passion onto every person he encountered. He was a true staple in the community in Summit County and I had always had it im my mind that I was going to do a short photo series with him. Some photographic project that would attempt to show others who this amazing person was. Sadly he passed away and I was never able to complete this project.
So this year it is my goal to not assume these people, places, stories, or things that I find exceptional will last forever. I want to start a body of work with the general context of Stanley, Idaho focusing on the people who live there and make it special. I now have some money saved so that when something pops into my head I will have the means to create it and hopefully be able to share it with all of you.