In a quick recap, last year started off rough. It was a struggle out of the gate, but luckily enough I had some real good buddies that helped me find my stride. Graduating was a real gut check and there’s no way I would have kept my sanity if I wasn’t surrounded by people going through the same thing. Trying to be a professional photographer is pretty much swinging for the fences and it’s definitely not something that you can achieve alone. I worked on a few large projects this past year that I would have never been able to pull off previously, now that I’m headed into 2012 I only have bigger and grander projects in mind. If this past year taught me anything, it’s that there will always be someone to lean on. Regardless whether it was something personal or professional I was never turned away from someone that could help me out. I learned a lot about being weak or clueless. I’m a better person now because of it.

I’m starting 2012 somewhere that’s foreign and strange. 4,667ft above sea level, Fort Huachuca, Arizona, is going to be my home for the next four months. I have a lot to learn here, not just about being a Military Intelligence Officer, but I’m sure as hell spending a whole lot of time thinking about thinking. I foresee a lot of chillin’ on the ridge line with Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. The little spare time I have here, I still don’t know how I’m going to handle being away from photography for so long. It’s looking like there are gonna be some desert landscapes in the next four months. I’m making myself a promise to have a plan. Last year ended on a high note, and while there’s gonna be a bit of a break, I’m coming back to the East Coast with a vengeance. I want to hit the ground running coming into the summer and there’s no way I’ll be able to do that without the collective help of everyone I’ve leaned on in the past. The expectation of 2012 is very simple, to be awesome. Here’s to rooftop raging, camaraderie and cranking this sh*t to eleven.

As always, things are in a state of transition. I’m going to be changing the way I add to this blog, as well as introducing awesome new and pretty things for you all to look at. Things have been a bit stale and boring lately and I really hope to change that. To everyone who has supported my photographic endeavors over the last four years, thank you. You have no idea how important you’ve all been to my growth and confidence.

P.S. Sorry for the completely arbitrary photo, I promise previews and new work coming soon!

2011 Will have a few things in store for me, to start off I should be graduating come May. Rutgers is all I’ve known for the last four years and I’m eager and anxious to get out and fend for myself. People often look over the fact that I will be a US Army Officer come May also, I’ll be a Second Lieutenant. I’ve joined the New Jersey National Guard, branching Military Intelligence. I chose not to go into the Active Duty Army for many reasons, one of my most ambitious being my one day career photography. My military journey will take me to Arizona first, spending around 5 months in Fort Huachuca learning my trade.

Ever since my visit to Europe last Spring Break, I’ve caught the desire to travel. This Spring Break I’ll be down in Louisiana for Mardi Gras, a good way to end my senior year I’d like to think! Other than Arizona I’m really hoping to fill this year with a ton of miles traveled. During all of this I’ve got all my goals in photography. I’m trying to make this a big year, it’ll be tough going but I’ve got great support and there’s no other way I’d like to chase this. I’m not looking to share what those goals are right now, but if I manage to pull them off 2011 is going to be awesome.

[via Vimeo]

What a variety of choices to make. One thing I enjoy though is that there is a constant progression in my work. More often now instead of making 180 turns in style and consistency, I tend to adapt my efforts and incorporate things I want to try instead of the good old cut sling load. I like this method so much better than what I have been doing, keeping what I know I like and introducing something experimental. A lot of this sounds like a whole pile of gibberish, at least to me. Gotta’ keep shooting.