Catching Up a Year After the Lockdowns

Life sure looks different. Some bad, and some good, but definitely different. For the second year in a row, I found myself unemployed. Due to the global pandemic, our state went into complete lockdown right when I got back from a trip, and just like many others watched our sources of income evaporate. Learning to navigate the transition from shooting full time to being locked in, then getting a job in traffic control, has not been easy, but as the restrictions ease and we have been able to go out and meet up with small groups, going on simple hikes or even quick surf sessions and sunsets have become much more meaningful and enjoyable. The little things in life are helping me get through the pandemic.

This summer elopement with B+S was a beautiful evening on the west side surrounded by their socially distanced friends and face timed family. B absolutely glowed during the ceremony with the excitement of her first on the way, and S kept the group entertained with his humor; congratulations to the happy couple *UPDATE * and new parents!

I was incredibly lucky to get linked up with a job working as a traffic control tech back in June and after almost a year my supervisors approached me about taking some pictures for them. It was a fun experience to be able to photograph some of our crews around the island.

It has been about a full year since we have been emerging from the lockdowns, more and more businesses have opened up and sadly more have shut down and remain shut down. I made a decision early in the pandemic that has been an important learning lesson on sacrifice, surviving through adversity and provide by becoming an essential worker, and although I may not be photographing as much as before, I am slowly getting back into it, and I am incredibly grateful to be working. This step away has given me a new feeling of happiness when i have the camera in my hand, motivates me to return to shooting full time, but for now I’ll just enjoy the times I get to shoot.