Happy Thursday! It’s my 38th birthday today, and time to update my portrait. Thanks for the all the messages on social media – it is really nice to have them stream in! it is one of the best things about the new technology. It is a great excuse to hear from people that you have not seen or talked to in a while. You can reminisce again about birthdays past and make plans for future celebrations! In addition to all the messages, I set up my camera to make a new self-portrait with some lighting.
GGB_portrait_at_38
My 25th birthday was marked by a day of national tragedy. We felt it here in the DC area, and the memory of the events will always be felt when the date comes around every year. The solemnness of ceremonies and memorials on TV and across the Internet lets me also be reflective on my own events. I can take things in; reflect on a milestone day along with everyone else, as a tribute to those that were taken that day, and to be thankful for another year. It will be back tomorrow, but it’s nice to have a break from the norm. It is nice that so many do the same on your birthday, even if it borne out of sadness.
It is September 11 – another year older, another year in photography, and thankful for both. Since 2001, this has been a day of reflection for our country. Overall it has subdued all of my birthdays since, but it has been a blessing. Looking back at the past year, I am amazed at the changes. Being a photographer, I use my Lightroom catalog as the journal to review my life over 12 months. I credit my re-commitment to blogging as the biggest change. Photography continues to be the biggest part of my life professionally and personally – the blog driving me to produce even better photos every time I pick up the camera. There are so many things to try and having a forum to discuss and show results really pushes me to get out there, find subjects, and get results.
September Self Portrait
Thankful
I am thankful most for my wife – supporting my photography with her energy and ideas. She has helped to make TimeLine Media what it is now with her work at ballroom dance events, both at events and after sorting through thousands of photos by dancer. She has helped with many ideas for blogging topics – making photo walks with me and helping to find spots that would be interesting for photos. I am not sure I would have been able to sustain the blog or the company without her help, and I try hard not to let her efforts go to waste! We have come so far and have done amazing things since starting – we are definitely excited for the future.
In a sunflower field
In going through the photos, I am also so thankful for the other photographers in the area that have helped me along the way. Some have shown me how to edit photos, how to shoot weddings, how to assist – the list goes on and on. It has been more collaborative than I would have thought for such a competitive field. Thanks to all the photographers that have shot for us, or with us at events! We really could not have done it without you. You have always put your best efforts to get amazing photos, and it is helps to lower our stress levels when there are people we can trust helping us.
September Birthday Wishes
My mother called me – she wished me “Happy Birthday” and said she was thankful to have made it to see me at 37. My whole family has given me lots to photograph over the year – lots of family get togethers has provided some of my favorite photographs – the ones you would save in a tornado – kind of photos. It is a privilege to be a photographer, and hopefully better images are around the corner!
It’s my birthday today, and I’m so grateful to all my friends and family who sent good wishes to me today. It has been a life-changing year for me. With the support of my wife, I left a good job to pursue a dream of running my own business. I have received the support of photography and financial mentors to help me through the opening stages. With my business partner, we have finally started to get something going after founding TimeLine Media three years ago!
birthday selfies by the author of the author
My mother has also supported me in this time giving me advice and pushing me to pursue things as seriously as she has all my other interests. My uncle has been there for extra help when extra hands were needed. He even helped us by driving most of the way from Virginia to Chicago! Old work colleagues have been encouraging and genuinely happy for the new direction I’ve taken. Although I am incredibly satisfied with how things are going, I still miss the everyday interaction with a large group of similarly minded people working on big projects. It’s just me and my technology working on my projects now, but the rewards seem more fulfilling, and more my own. I am looking forward to the next year – more changes, more learning, and more photos!
