New to photography? Heres what you need.

Welcome back, everybody! My name is Jeremy Gouge, and I'm glad you're here. Glad you're kicking it with me. Sorry for the hiatus, as usual—life got in the way, and I've just been busy living. But that’s okay; that’s what we should be doing, in my opinion.

This video is for those of you out there, hopefully you, if you’re watching this, who might be on the journey of deciding what camera to buy next, whether you should buy a camera soon, or what lens to get. I’ve thought a lot about this lately, and my opinion might be a little jaded, maybe even controversial to some degree. I’m sure there are some people out there who are like, “No, you should absolutely buy this, and do this instead.” Well, sorry, not sorry.

Here’s my approach: If I had to give myself—my younger self—some advice today, what would I say? Things are very different today compared to when I started 20 years ago. If I were starting today, I’d tell myself that the best camera available to me is the one in my pocket. That’s right, our cell phones. We all have one, we all use it regularly. But it's easy to get to the point where you think, “Yeah, but it’s just not enough. It’s not doing the thing I want it to do.” Or maybe there’s no depth of field, or all the other things. I get it, and I hear you. You're not wrong.

But I think it’s much more important to find an app, or a software, that works for you. I say “app” because we’re talking about phones, right? Leica just came out with their own photo-developing camera app. It’s like $10 a month, and I’m sure it’s fantastic because it says Leica on it. Leica doesn’t do anything poorly. But, in my opinion, Lightroom Mobile is the way to go for several reasons:

It’s free.

It’s mobile, meaning it’s designed specifically for your phone, with that purpose in mind. It’s not an app that does both desktop and mobile; it’s built for your phone’s camera.

I’m not saying there won’t come a time when you’ll need to invest in another camera or gear. Please don’t misunderstand me. What I’m saying is, until you are completely sure of a few things—and we’ll get to that in a second—I don’t think you need to rush into buying a new camera. Don’t throw money at a problem that doesn’t exist yet. I’m notorious for doing that myself. You know, “The grass is greener.” Learn from my mistakes, as I tell my kids.

So, what’s most important? Find your style. Find what you like to photograph. That’s one of the points I want to make. Once you really figure out what you love photographing—whether it’s people, cars, food, babies, weddings—don’t shoot a wedding by yourself if you’re not ready, that’s all I’m saying. We’re not there yet. But once you find your lane, the thing you want to pursue, everything else falls into place.

Yes, a lot of us shoot multiple things. That’s normal. But for me, I love taking portraits of people—whether it’s for weddings, senior sessions, headshots, or other projects. There’s a lot of variety within that, but the core is always people. So, I don’t want you to niche down too hard, but get an idea of what you really enjoy, what connects with you emotionally, and what pours back into you. Once you find that, it’ll lead you toward your next purchase. It will help you make an educated decision when the time comes.

Once you’ve developed your style and gotten comfortable with your phone’s camera and apps like Lightroom, you’ll automatically start seeing improvements in your photos. You’ll have this grace period to learn the app, and then learn to develop your style. This is so important because once you have your style, it will carry over no matter what camera you’re using.

I’m confident that I can shoot with any camera and still make the same type of work. Sure, there are cameras I prefer over others. I’ve had a lot of Fuji cameras, and I’m really in my head about wanting another one. But when I edit my Fujifilm files, they just feel different from what I usually shoot. It’s not bad, it’s just not me. It doesn’t feel like home.

So, to wrap this up: Use your phone. Use it with Lightroom Mobile or whatever app works best for you—Snapseed, Lightroom, whatever. Test things out. Take the same photos you’ve been taking, but edit them in a new way. Create your own presets. Find a look you like, save it, and then apply it to other photos. You’ll have to tweak them, of course, but it’s a start.

Once you’ve done that for a while and you’re really sure you love photography, then you can start looking at other cameras, lenses, and gear. That’s a whole different conversation. I have a list of cameras I’d recommend for people who are at that point, or have a very specific purpose in mind—travel, film, portraits, whatever. But for now, if you’re new to photography and you want to figure it out, just use your phone.

And just so you know, I’m shooting this entire video on my iPhone. I have a Z8 in the bag, just for proof (not that anyone would call me a liar, but here’s the Z8). My Z30 is in my Pelican case. But I’m shooting this entire thing on my iPhone, just to show you that it’s good enough. I wouldn’t make a video encouraging you to use your phone if I wasn’t willing to do it myself.

So, get out there, make something cool, and if you feel like your work is getting closer to your style, tag me in it! I’d love to see it. I say this all the time, but no one ever does. I really want to follow your journey. Drop your handles below in the comments, or let me know where I can follow you. If you want feedback, I’m here for it. I’m in it—minute to win it!

Alright, I’m going to let you get after it now. I’m going to get out and make something I want to make too. I’ve been blessed this year with sessions that feel good, important, and meaningful. Now I need to keep pushing that envelope.

Thanks for being here, thanks for being you, and later, neighbor.

Riches of Authentic Interactions

What’s up, neighbors? Welcome back! My name is Jeremy Guge, and I’m really glad you’re here. We talk about all kinds of random stuff here, but today, inspired by my last video, I’m kicking off a new series. This is Part 2, where I try to be as authentic, natural, and honest as possible—no cuts, no B-roll, no jumps. I’m just in it, right? You get the mistakes, the failures, all of it.

I’ve got my iPad here with some notes on it. I’ve got four key points I want to make sure I don’t miss, so I’ve left myself a little reminder just to be safe. That’s the extent of my help today. So if you’re here, this won’t be flashy—obviously. But I hope you stick around because I think what we’re talking about today is important, and it might even be a little controversial for some people.

Let’s jump right in. The topic for today is The Riches of Authentic Interaction. What I mean by that is: being authentic costs us nothing, but the value and rewards it produces are priceless. It costs you zero dollars to be genuine. It takes no extra time or effort to just be you—uncut, unfiltered, just you. It costs you nothing. Yet, sometimes we box ourselves in, thinking that if we’re not always adding value, we’re not doing something right. But the truth is, by freely offering this part of ourselves without asking for anything in return, we get so much in return. And that can be incredibly rewarding.

Now, when I say "rewarding," I’m not just talking about monetary gain. Sure, if you’re on platforms like YouTube, there’s a possibility for monetization. But the real reward here, the most valuable thing we gain, is emotional. We can tap into a deeper part of ourselves and become more vulnerable as a whole. That’s the first point I want to touch on.

Secondly, when we give ourselves the freedom to be who we truly are and approach our work, our life, our relationships boldly, unapologetically, and fearlessly, everyone grows. That’s a bit of a mouthful, but here’s the summary: When we approach the things we care about—whether it’s work, life, or relationships—without limitations, those things can grow without bounds. And doing things like this—being authentic on camera, for example—helps us grow. It’s tough to be genuine on camera; we often feel like we have to put on a persona, make it polished, make sure it sounds right. But I don’t care about that. I want to connect with you on a more human level. Even if this series only lasts four or five videos, I hope it can help me carry this authenticity forward into all my content, where it’s not about just selling you the next camera but about having a meaningful conversation. I want our conversations to have more substance.

Another way we grow by being authentic is in our confidence. When we get used to doing things that are hard, over time, they get easier. That’s true for sports, academics, and pretty much anything we care about and work to improve. The same goes here. If we invest in ourselves and our time, we build confidence. We get more comfortable with who we are and what we do. It’s no longer awkward, and even when we stumble, we give ourselves permission to do so and not feel bad about it. I’m not perfect, and my videos won’t be perfect—but that’s part of it. The more we lean into being ourselves, the easier it gets.

Once we get that confidence, it becomes easier to be consistent. We’re more comfortable in what we’re doing, and it’s easier to get excited about it. Consistency becomes second nature.

Lastly, being authentic allows us to tap into a deeper level of understanding about ourselves. Intellectually, emotionally, and even physically—being authentic opens doors to deeper growth. It’s not about becoming more “deep” in a philosophical sense, but more about unlocking parts of ourselves that we’ve had closed off for a while.

Thirdly, mindful practice of being genuine helps remove the walls we build up to protect our egos and perceptions of others. This enables us to be more honest with ourselves, those who care about us, and our time. We have to be honest about what we need, what we want, and what we’re capable of. For example, if someone invites me to do something, and I’m genuinely not interested, I need to be able to say, “No, thanks.” That’s hard for me because I’m naturally a people pleaser. I like to make sure everyone is happy, but I also need to protect my time and energy. It’s okay to say no, even if it’s difficult.

And lastly, here’s a tough one: We’re far less important than we think we are—and that’s a good thing. I know this sounds negative, but it’s actually the opposite of that. If we can accept that we’re not as important as we sometimes think, it frees us from unnecessary pressure. I’m not important on YouTube. I don’t pretend that I am. But that gives me the freedom to make the content I want to make, without worrying about following trends or checking algorithmic boxes. That freedom gives me more confidence, and it allows me to be more authentic.

With less pressure, we can tap into deeper understanding, and that leads to better situations for everyone around us. When I take care of myself and understand my needs, I’m better able to take care of the people around me. And I’m learning to do that more and more.

So, that’s it. No BS. I hope this was helpful to someone. If not, that’s okay too because it was helpful to me. It feels good to get this stuff off my chest. I’ve got another video coming soon about social media and why I think we both need a break from it, in the same spirit of this video. If that interests you, please come back for it.

Until then, thanks for being here. I’ll see you next time!

Radio Silence of sorts

Roan Mountain- Carvers Gap- Nikon Z6iii

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

Lumix and the L mount alliance in 2025

What's up, and welcome back! I'm keeping this one short and sweet today—unlike Peter McKinnon's "2-Minute Tuesdays," I'm hoping for 4 minutes. I'm shooting this video on the Blackmagic 6K Pro L-mount with the Sirui 35mm f/2.9–1.8x anamorphic lens. I mention all of that because it's L-mount, and I think L-mount in 2025 is going to be special. People who use this system are really excited about what's coming, which is why I bought the S5IIX in all black. I’ve got some vintage lenses on there now, along with the SmallRig Black Mamba cage, which is honestly fantastic.

I mention this because I made a video in the past where I borrowed the S5II from my good friends Garrett and Jared at CW Media. I didn’t love it at the time and made some comments about why it wasn’t for me. That’s why I picked up the Fuji X-H2S instead, which was great and still is—but after trading that Fuji camera to my good friend Jordy in exchange for the Blackmagic, and getting back into the L-mount system (I had the SL2S for a long time, which was my absolute favorite camera), I realized it makes more sense for me to be on the same lens mount with both my cinema and photo cameras.

For what the S5II and S5IIX cost in 2025, they’re honestly, in my opinion, the best bang for your buck. Best money for performance, hands down. I sold my Nikon Z6III to pick up this camera, and I’ve got the 24-105mm lens, which I think is super underrated. I also have the anamorphic lens, and with everything coming from the L-mount Alliance right now, I think this is the year for L-mount.

In case you don't know, the L-mount Alliance is a partnership between Leica, Panasonic, and Sigma. Sigma just released a 15mm f/1.2 Art lens for L-mount, so we're starting to see some faster primes, which we haven't had much of in the L-mount system. We’ve had a lot of 1.8s, which are great, but some people want faster lenses with better build quality. Leica, of course, has tons of L-mount lenses—though they’re astronomically expensive.

As someone who owned the S2S for a long time and really wants the SL3, the L-mount makes sense for me right now—and I think it makes sense for you too. Panasonic and Leica have been working together, and now we have the SL3, SL3S, SL2, SL2S from Leica, all in L-mount. Sigma has the FP in L-mount, too. We’re finally seeing bodies from different manufacturers that use the L-mount. With the announcements of the S1R and S1H follow-ups, things are only going to get better from here.

Price-to-value, again, is phenomenal. I bought this camera used, with the cage, and the day after owning it, I shot for a local organization here in East Tennessee. In that one event, I made more than halfway back the cost of the camera. They're affordable, fantastic, and the autofocus is so much better than I remember from when I borrowed it from Garrett and Jared. Honestly, I didn’t give it enough of a chance before, but in 2025, the L-mount Alliance is going to be a top contender in the field.

Give it the attention it deserves and the respect it’s earned. If you shoot L-mount or own any L-mount cameras, let me know your favorite lenses or bodies—I’d love to hear your thoughts, as I’m always on the lookout for something fun and new.

Lastly, thank you for being here. I’ve gained a lot of new followers from the video I did with my friend Brian about Donald’s survival of Hurricane Helen. The outpouring of support and positivity was incredible. I’ve got another project starting tomorrow along similar lines—not nearly as life-threatening as a hurricane survivor, but still in the documentary realm that I’m really drawn to. If you like that kind of content, or if you haven’t seen that video yet, I’ll leave it linked up here—please check it out, and then come back to see the new video I’m about to drop.

And, as always, if you need music, I can’t recommend Audio (A-U-D-I-I-O) enough. It's a one-time fee for a lifetime membership, and they have the best music library I've found anywhere—eclectic, high quality, and constantly updated. I've tried a lot of different services, and this is my go-to. Check out the link below, use my code to save 70%, and tell them I sent you—you won’t regret it.

Now, I’ve got to finish editing this video so I can get to the next one. Thanks for being here, and we’ll talk soon!

Donald- Hurricane Helene Survival story

Recently I had the absolute heart breaking task of meeting and telling Donald’s story. Donald, as you will witness, has a heroic story to retell, and you are invited to sit and relive his events as he recalls them. If you are seeing this, the need is still very great and these people still need so much. I hope the telling of his journey can help shine a light on the community that is in such dire need. I would very much appreciate sharing of this video to help make sure as many people see it as possible. I say that, not for my benefit, but to benefit these communities that have been ravaged by this natural disaster.

Meet Donald, and be prepared to feel.

Made in partnership with Brian Verdolino, and cell phone footage was provided by another survivor. Amanda, thank you for those clips.

Inspiration for 2025

Well, it that time of year when everyone has better intentions and the time of year we usually fall on our face. I want to make a change, and by finding inspiration to get me moving early in the year, well I think this gives me the advantage. If you love photo books, if you love to create anything at all, or if you just like hearing me talk for some reason. Please take a look at my latest video!

Thank you in advance!

J

Lets talk about audio

As creatives, we find ourselves always needing new and better tools. This could be cameras, or lenses and it could even be services that we use. In the video below I dive into which service I use for all of my licensed royalty free music, as well as my favorite microphone to date. I appreciate you stopping here but please take a few minutes to watch the video and I would be forever grateful if you decide to subscribe to my channel and like the video as well. Lets roll that footage!

My favorite Nikon lens for video with the Z system.

Hello and welcome to my website. You have found yourself on my blog ( are we still doing this in 2024? ) and I have decided to just use this place to share my thoughts on stuff I am interested in at any given time. My interests at the moment are video first, shooting film, photo, gaming, and getting outside. Most of those aren’t new but you may be new here so there you go, you are caught up. If you prefer to watch me talk about this, jump to the bottom of this article and I have left the link to my Youtube video.

In this share, I want to talk about my favorite lens for the Nikon Z6iii but today, especially for video work. Spoiler Alert, this lens is fantastic. Its wonderful at everything except extreme low light because the Nikon 24-120 is only an F4 lens. F4??? Get out of here. I can here the snobs already jumping in and swinging that they need more bokeh. What if I told you a good photographer / videographer can find a way to make wonderful work no matter the F stop. OH SHIT.. shots fired over here. I already know that my fellow film shooters get this fact.

Ok so why do I love the 24-120? Obviously the number 1 reason is the versatility of this focal range. You can cover so many prime focal lengths in the 24-120 range. This makes it easy to be the ONLY lens you pack. Ok so on to reason number 2, and that is the weight. This lens is light and really balances well on the Z6iii body. Makes it a joy to use. Number 3 is because its sharp. It is in the S line of Nikon lenses means it meets the best quality optically. Lastly, the autofocus is sticky in the best kind of way. Its extremely useful, and balanced option for video.

If you are looking for the video you can find that here:

Nikon Z6iii Review- No BullSh!t

Hello again. As I lean more into making things on Youtube, this option falls to the wayside. I am often torn or conflicted about wether I should write here more often, and discuss my thoughts for those who prefer to read but I prefer the visual delivery. So I wont ramble but please take a few minutes to watch the video and let me know what you think. What questions can I answer for you?

Fujifilm XT5 in 2024?

What's up, everybody? Welcome back to the channel! If you're new here, my name is Jeremy, and I'm glad to have you. If you're not new, welcome back! So, today's video is about my camera system for 2024. I made a video in the past about wondering if I should keep the X-Pro3 in 2024. I’ll try to link that here. Ultimately, I decided it was time for the X-Pro3 to go—not because of any fault of the camera, but because it was a great camera, and I loved using it. No complaints really. I liked the fact that it didn’t have a rear LCD, although that’s a deal-breaker for some people. My copy was pristine, so I decided to sell it while it was still in great condition before any potential issues, like LCD ribbon problems, could arise, and moved on to something else.

That "something else" is the Fuji X-T5, and this was a big decision for me. Honestly, it took me weeks to make up my mind. But I'm happy to say that I’m pretty content with my system now. I wasn’t in a rush, but wedding season has started for me here in East Tennessee, so I definitely wanted two of the same bodies with the same lens mount for redundancy. I like to run two cameras with different focal lengths, and this setup works perfectly for that.

Now, why the X-T5 over the X-H2? That was the biggest decision for me. It wasn’t about other Fuji cameras like the X-S10 or any of the lower-end models. I didn’t want a camera that was just cheaper for the sake of being cheaper. I wanted something that gave me all the features and performance of my X-H2S, but with more megapixels. I’ve realized that I like to crop images, not drastically, but if I see a shot I didn’t initially notice when I took it and I want to crop a little, I want that option.

On paper, the X-T5 and the X-H2 both have 40 megapixels, but it really comes down to buttons, ergonomics, and a few other smaller differences. I think the autofocus might be a bit better on the X-H2, but I can’t confirm that since I haven’t used it enough to say for sure. I haven’t had any issues with autofocus on my X-T5—it's been great. In fact, I’m using it right now for this video. This is my second camera. I won’t use much of this footage, but I’m testing it out to make sure everything’s working. I had some autofocus issues in the past due to forgetting to turn it on, but today, I’m using a Ninja recorder, so I can see myself and make sure I’m in focus.

The X-T5 is a 40-megapixel camera, and it’s tiny! It's so small and thin that I opted for the Arca Swiss plate with the additional front grip, which I love. I hate tripod plates that don’t work across all my gear, so I prefer to use an Arca Swiss plate on my grip or cage, so I can easily move between tripods, monopods, and handheld setups without worrying about having the right plate. It just works. With the grip on the X-T5, it feels fantastic in hand, and it's still small enough to fit in any bag I have, even alongside my Leica M10 Monochrome, without feeling like I’ve packed an entire kitchen.

Typically, my go-to camera lately has been my son's Ricoh GR2, which I've owned twice and absolutely love. But for my main work, I shoot primarily with my Leica 50mm lens as my rangefinder camera for black-and-white work. For the Fuji, I tend to use the 16mm (24mm equivalent) for wide shots or the 56mm f/1.2 Mark II, which is almost like using an 85mm equivalent, and I love that compression. The 56mm f/1.2 on the X-T5 sensor, with all that resolution, is gorgeous—I absolutely love that combo.

For me, it made sense to build a kit I could pack up in a backpack and carry all my cameras for both photo and video in one bag. I use a Pelican 1510 case (I think that's the model number, don’t quote me) and can fit both of these cameras, my lenses, adapters, cords, batteries, everything, all in one place. I couldn’t do that comfortably with any other system. I had the Canon R5, which I loved—I actually bought it twice, and it’s the only Canon camera I’ve really loved—but the glass is just too big for my liking. I know I’m not a small person, but I don’t want to carry around glass that takes up my entire bag just to have a few lenses. It’s not fun for me.

I love shooting film, as I’ve mentioned many times, and it’s very common for me to throw an additional film camera into my bag—whether it's the M7, the Nikon F3, or just a point-and-shoot like the XA. I don’t throw my Rolleiflex in there, though, that's just too big.

Part of the reason I went with the X-T5 instead of the X-H line is that I didn’t want the X-H series to become my primary photo camera. I wanted some separation between my video and photo gear. I wanted each body to have a clear purpose when I pick it up. And that intentionality has been working really well for me so far.

Also, not that it matters a lot, but I’ve met a lot of friends on Threads (which I’m really loving, by the way—if you don’t follow me there, come over and hang out!). It's been such a better experience for creatives than Instagram, which I still love, but in my opinion, it's falling behind Threads. A lot of my friends on Threads shoot the X-T5 and really enjoy it, so I took their advice (even though it wasn’t directly given, just from seeing their photos) and decided that the X-T5 would be the perfect camera for my weddings, personal projects, and professional work this year. I have a session this afternoon that I’ll be using it for.

In the worst case, I’ll use the X-H2 if I need to, but I prefer the X-H2 to be more of my photo camera and to be rigged out with a cage so it’s ready for video at any time. I’ve got a new ND filter on it from PolarPro with a built-in variable ND and polarizer, which I’m really liking. I usually run a mic on it too, so it's a bit bulkier and not as travel-friendly. The X-T5, on the other hand, is much smaller, and it can easily go in a bag or hang from my neck without feeling like I’m carrying around a ton of gear. I’m not a big strap guy, but I can swap the strap from my Leica onto the X-T5 in 60 seconds, and I’m good to go.

The size, the color (Fuji colors are unmatched), and the overall portability of the Fuji system just works for me. And honestly, the Fuji Film community is another big reason I love it. I had forgotten how much I enjoy being part of a creative community where people pour into each other both online and in real life. It's refreshing, especially in a world that can be so competitive. The Fuji community really has each other’s backs, and I get a genuine sense of support from them, which is something I don’t always feel with other brands—even though my Leica work often gets more likes, it doesn’t feel as personal.

So yeah, that’s where I’m at. If you shoot Fuji, let me know which model is your favorite and why. If you had to do it all over again, would you buy the same system? Did I make a mistake buying the X-T5 in 2024? I bought it used with one shutter count, but it’s still technically new to me, and I shoot with it every day. Let me know how you’ve set up your X-T5 and what you love about it.

Alright, I’ve got to edit this video while JPEGmini runs in the background, clearing some space on my external hard drive (because I’m clearly running out of storage). Thanks for hanging out, and I’ll see you in the next one!

Leica M10 Accessories that I use daily.

Just here to drop another Youtube link for my latest video talking about some bits and bobs I use on my Leica M10 Monochrom. If you have other suggestions feel free to let me know what those are.

Issac + Grace Linville Falls Engagement Session

ClaCC

Hey all and welcome to this entry. I would start by admitting that this session was very special for me. I have been photographing Grace for years now so it feels very natural that I had the honor to capture another timeless moment for Grace and her family. I have been lucky to not only photograph her but to meet her family, and her mom specifically. Julz is amazing and I feel very connected to her though our sessions as well, so when she text me a few months ago asking if I would be interested / available to photograph a surprise proposal, I couldn’t say no! ( NOT THAT I WOULD ANYWAY) Isaac, who is now Grace’s fiance had asked Julz to help plan the entire event, and what an event it was. The weather, cars breaking down, and them finding me without letting her know what was going on were all speed bumps we had to navigate on the day but we are resilient. The day was perfect and she said yes and that leads us here. Well it led us to Linville, North Carolina and to chasing waterfalls. Linville Falls is stunning and the weather was fantastic. All of the images in this post of from time together capturing their official engagement photos as we count the days, and Grace knows to the day, until we capture another special moment for these two. The wedding is coming fast!

I know, I know. Thats ALOT of photos for one post right but how do I choose? How would I narrow these down further. Yes further, because I have more still. It was a magical afternoon, recording moments between these two, and watching as they silently connect over and over again. I love adventures like these and I am ready for the next. Who has next??? Email me and lets plan your adventure together.

J

Fujifilm Lenses I recommend in 2024

The more I use the Youtube the less I write here, hence the last few posts directly asking you to visit my channel for more information. This continues today as I made a video discussing the Fujifilm lenses I am currently using, and what my thoughts are on them. Go check it out! Please

The photo community is truly special

If you are reading this, you may or may not know my story. I think I may make a video about me in the future so just know I have been a photographer for almost 2 decades now. Through this art form of capturing moments in time either on film or a digital sensor, I have made the most incredible friends. I have made things that broke my heart, but also made things that fill me with joy as well. I have captured so many things in this time but one of the things that stick with me most is the connections created. The friendships formed over a mutual interest. Shared meals, coffee, and drinks to talk or collaborate. The list goes on and on and on. I hope to be a part of your story as well. Please take a few moments to watch me talk about this in the video above and please consider subscribing to follow me on this journey that is Youtube.

Shoot film with me and the Hasselblad 500c

Continuing to share my work from Youtube here to help generate traffic and honestly to help motivate myself to keep making them. What should I make next?

Anyone?

I have since traded my beloved Hasselblad ( missing it dearly ) for a camera I have always wanted, the Roleiflex TLR. My friend Joshua had one and we traded for a period to try them out and we never traded back. The world of photography is special!

Screen shot from when my beard was cooler than it is now LOL

Long Term Leica SL2S review.

I am a lucky guy to have owned a couple of Leicas over my career, the m240, M3, M6, SL2S, and now an M10 Monochrom so what do I think about the SL2S from a professionals perspective? Well Ill just cut to the spoiler, I love it. Everything about it, almost. I would recommend you check the video below for a more in depth conversation on my thoughts and feelings of this beautiful piece of machinery.

Thanks for being here and I look forward to seeing you over there, on Youtube.

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.

Homesick

Screen shot from my video.

I have wanted to make something like this for a long time. I don’t know that I made exactly what I wanted to, or said what I wanted to say with this piece but I made something I am proud of and that is something in itself.

Lets back up a little to the day of me filming this:

I woke up and something was off. I felt a heaviness, and a loneliness that was almost crippling. I knew I had to make time to be alone, and that I needed to do something to focus my energy or succumb to the weight of the day. I decided to head off in the rain to film some pieces for a project I have had on my mind for a year now but once I started filming something was different. Anytime I get to be with a camera it helps take my mind off of life. It lets me focus on my craft and the technical details of the equipment. As I dialed everything in the my liking, I was able to settle in to the work easily. Once the ball was rolling, I knew I was making something but not what I had set out to create. I think that happens more often than not but I also think there is a beauty in it as well.

This video is something I made for myself. I don’t remember these places from a time when I was young enough to enjoy them fully, but I know from conversations, and photos that I spent a great part of my child hood here. I titled it Homesick because it is my home. Its where I grew up, and I am homesick but not for the place itself but for the memories I have lost.

I hope you enjoy it and I hope you know that WE STILL NEED YOU HERE.

One more screen shot from my film.

Are blogs dead?

I havent shared here in a long time ( minus my share yesterday with a link to a Youtube video) but believe that Google only recommends websites that are “active”. So I will be adding some recent links to other videos that I am proud of in hopes of making my site more active but also directing others to my channel. I truly hope to grow my Youtube more and more. It has quickly became a great place for me to stretch creatively. Go give me a follow, it costs you nothing. At all. Zero.

Todays video is about the first photo book I have ever purchased. It is a book by Erwin Olaf and his work is stunning. I go in to more depth in the video so jump over there and let me know what you think. Do you like his work as well? Do you want me to make any videos in particular? Let me know

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Fujifilm Xpro3 Review in 2024

I have tried many cameras, and many brands but as of writing this, I am enjoying shooting Fujifilm again. I made a video discussing my thoughts on the Xpro 3 years after its release. If you shoot Fuji, or are curious to why I bought a second Xpro3 then please watch the video for a better summary. .