8.1.23Familiar Fourth Street“Home” has been talked about a lot during this project over the last few years. From seeing my childhood home in Eastgate to photos within my current home and everywhere in between, I have strong connections to physical places and locations that mean something to me. Fourth Street is one of them.It’s where I moved when I decided to become an urban dweller. It’s the street where I figured out what I wanted to do with my life. It’s where I met Ashley. It’s where I used to work before making a huge career shift. It’s where I learned photography. It’s the street that also, unfortunately, saw some of the hardest days of my life. Fourth Street was the chrysalis where I found my wings.That place just feels so right to me. It’s not the busiest street downtown, nor is it the quietest, and it boasts everything from museums to restaurants to parks to high-rise living to coffee shops and bars. But very few care about it as a destination because it’s not Vine Street in OTR or 6th Street two blocks away.There are few things more personal and beautiful to me than when the summer sun sets and casts its Golden Hour light on Fourth Street. While I no longer have an address at the corner of Fourth and Broadway, I still feel tremendous comfort there.

8.2.23Alive & WellAaron with Hickory Wald contacted me about photographing their new Clifton bar, Alive & Well, on Telford. I photographed exceptionally colorful cocktails for their marketing purposes as well as the bar itself before their friends and family night event today. Not pictured: a cocktail made with Graeter’s raspberry sorbet that I must return for. It looked delicious.I’m going back tomorrow to do night shots of the space. I will most likely choose one of those as my photo of the day.

8.3.23Alive & Well: Part IIAs promised, here’s the evening photo of the outside of Alive & Well. I returned around 9 PM and photographed the outside before doing some lifestyle shots of people in the bar with drinks inside. Truth be told, this particular shoot made me nervous; lifestyle isn’t my strong suit, especially when the parameters of the shoot require approaching strangers and asking them to pose for manufactured candids. That said, I think I did an adequate job, and all that’s left to do now is to send them to the client. Hopefully they are satisfied.

8.4.23Dinwiddie Is No Longer Thinkin’ Arby’sWhile headed to Indiana Dunes State Park for the weekend, I saw this abandoned Arby’s off the exit in Dinwiddie, IN. The lighting was perfect at the time, so I pulled over for a quick photo. I didn’t inspect it closely enough to determine how long it’s been empty, but the building looks to be in generally good shape.The style is that of the older aesthetic I’m most familiar with from the 90s and early 2000s. Modern Arby’s are boxy and have the look of every other fast food chain. I miss the days when these brands had specific building styles that became synonymous with their logo. Pizza Hut’s style was so iconic, the blog Used to Be a Pizza Hut is dedicated to documenting their reuse.

8.5.23Rained-Out WeekenderWe planned a beach day where I sit under an umbrella and Ashley and Myrtle swim in Lake Michigan. We got to do that for about an hour and a half before a storm slowly crept into the area and gently forced everyone off the beach.Myrtle enjoyed her time playing in the lake despite the brevity of her visit. We spent the rest of the day driving around, trying to find something to do with a dog that wasn’t outside. We managed to find one restaurant with covered outdoor seating that allowed dogs. Truth be told, the weather ruined the whole day, and I’m not pleased.

8.6.23We’ll Try Again LaterI thought I’d get shots of sandy dunes tufted with wisps of long grass and twisted, skinny trees under cerulean skies. I thought I could photograph the lake with Chicago’s skyline in the distance. All of that would’ve been possible had it not rained almost the entire time.One of the only times it didn’t completely soak us was this morning. Though it drizzled, we managed a short walk along the Portage Lakefront Park & Riverwalk before hiking a trail further southwest at West Beach. Myrtle got to hop into the lake for a bit and get one last swim in before we accepted the fact that additional incoming rain meant driving home was the only logical option.Though this trip to Lake Michigan left much to be desired, we will try again in autumn.

8.7.23Indecisive SkiesThe sky couldn’t figure out whether or not to rain today.

8.8.23Real Adults NowOur solid wood bed frame with a headboard was delivered today. I haven’t had a proper bed frame since I was a child. For my entire adult life, I’ve slept on a metal frame with box springs and no headboard. It was perfectly fine, but deciding to upgrade the bed makes being in it all the more relaxing (and looks nicer, too). It sits about 10 inches lower than it previously was, and though I thought that would take some getting used to, I ended up preferring it closer to the floor. I’ve already smashed my shin into the corner of it because I’m not used to it sticking out that far.

8.9.23Sun In An Empty RoomSelf-explanatory.

8.10.23Triple XXX Family RestaurantAfter finishing a photoshoot for Luminaut in Lafayette, Indiana, I stopped by Triple XXX Family Restaurant before returning home.Claiming to be the oldest-operating drive-in restaurant in Indiana and the last of the original Triple XXX Thirst Stations in the US and Canada, the diner is a Purdue staple that goes back generations. As soon as I posted it to my Instagram story, a dozen people replied with their own high praise and positive experiences.It opened in 1929 as a simple root beer stand, then added a food menu later as it grew in popularity. The building changed over the decades and evolved into what it looks like today, complete with neon signage on the roof and thick, plastic, backlit signage hanging off the corner.I had the Duane Purvis burger—a regular cheeseburger with peanut butter slathered over the patty—and two frosty mugs of root beer. The burger was incredible, but the root beer was the best I’ve ever had. I wish this place were closer to my home because there’s nothing more refreshing on a hot day than that glass of root beer.

8.11.23An Actual SunsetI lightly raged about fake skies in real estate listings recently on Threads. This trend where photographers take daylight photos and then someone else replaces the sky with an obnoxious mismatched sunset is weird. Speaking to two other real estate photogs, they do the on-site work and then another company “improves” the images for the realtor by implementing bad HDR and replacing the sky with more dramatic options that don’t correspond with the lighting in the original image.Look, I realize most people do not care about the way these listings look online, and I’m not actually upset about it, but it does blow my mind that anyone would think they look good.

8.12.233D Wooden MapGot this incredible 3D wood map of Cincy and NKY made by Creative Cypress Co. at the City Flea this morning. Maps are so neat and I appreciate how this one adds another dimension to such a familiar place.

8.13.23Faded AdWhile in Harrison, OH today, I saw this faded ad in a shop window and liked how it contrasted with the vibrant flowers in the foreground. I wonder when this photo was taken, where it was taken, and what their lives are like today. Based on the fashion and the aesthetic of the card, I bet I was roughly their same age when this was made.

8.14.2314-30mm Z-MountSince 2017, I’ve used the same f-mount Tokina wide-angle lens for nearly all of my architectural and real estate photography. It was a relatively inexpensive lens that returned solid results in many situations and enabled frames that were otherwise impossible with the 24mm. It’s served me well and helped me build my portfolio and small business considerably over the last several years.Today, I upgraded. The Nikkor S-Line, optimized for full-frame cameras, offers a slim form factor with superior optics, so I went with the 14-30mm f/4 wide angle. Since it has the same mount shared with the Z9, I no longer have to use the adaptor, reducing the overall physical size and weight of the camera. I’m really happy with the images it produces so far. The sharpness at the edges of the frame is noticeably better than the Tokina I was using.

8.15.23EmptyI was meeting some friends at Binski’s at 7 PM, and when I walked into the bar, the entire place was empty.

8.16.23BellbrookWent on an up-and-back roadtrip with Luminaut to photograph a senior care center in Rochester, MI. The center, four hours from home and about 30 minutes outside Detroit, was freshly renovated with Luminaut’s vision for each space. Pictured is the main seating area next to the lobby where residents can put together puzzles, socialize, and relax after a meal at the adjacent food hall. The 15-hour work day was a long one, but I had a good time overall. Traveling for work, regardless if I stay the night somewhere or not, is almost always fun.

8.17.23Glowing SkyAn evening walk with Myrtle led to this beautiful, glowing sky.

8.18.23The Fill-InnDid a little lifestyle photography for The Fill-Inn in Bellevue. The owners recently purchased the dive bar from the previous owner and want to promote it as a place to watch Bengals games and hang out. From pool to a vintage bowling machine to a golf video game, it has quite a few little games to play during commercial breaks.

8.19.23Jurassic BirthdaySteve’s been my friend for 20 years. We formally met and became buds in the summer of 2003 when we went with a mutual friend to King’s Island. Shortly after that, we stayed close and remained in each other’s orbit for two decades.Steve went through a few big life changes over the last several years. Changes that, frankly, weren’t easy on him. But over the previous year, he’s found joy and success in various ways and seems happier now than he has been.His significant other, Erica, wanted to surprise him with a birthday party for their one-year together. I offered my backyard as the venue and suggested we screen Jurassic Park (one of Steve’s favorite movies) using the projector. She bought a bunch of dinosaur-themed decorations, bought all the food and drinks, invited a few people, and we set it up without him knowing.Everyone successfully surprised him, and between the food, drink, company, and entertainment, Steve had a great night. I did a terrible job documenting everything because I was too into enjoying the party, so please accept this grainy screenshot from a video I took that evening.

8.20.23Social Obligations: FulfilledAfter last night’s party, breakfast with friends, and a visit from my family this afternoon, I was ready to go to bed at 5 PM. An introvert like me can only do so much before he becomes too exhausted to keep going.

8.21.23Play?Any time I rest on the couch, I get some sort of toy in my face.

8.22.23QCR SignMyrtle and I went for a walk despite the heat. She hadn’t done anything all day, and I hadn’t left the house since Sunday, so it was time to get out and stretch our legs. When we have no destination, I let her lead the walk. She makes it up as she goes, choosing whichever path has the most intriguing smells at that moment (and, I noticed, whichever has the most shade).She led us down to the river where Queen City Riverboats are moored. This old sign is fun. Sadly, after putting in about a mile and a half of walking, my knee started to ache. First time in weeks it has been in pain. I will need to take it easier tomorrow.

8.23.23I’m Sorry, Mind and BodyLittle Caesar’s makes a pretzel crust pizza so I had one DoorDashed to my house because I am a pig who likes eating trash, apparently. After that, I watched Star Trek V (the one where they fight God and Spock pinches a horse) with Myrtle. Truly not taking care of my body or mind tonight.

8.24.23Popping BobaI ordered from Poke Hut tonight and treated myself to a little boba tea. Eating all the leftover boba in one big go at the end is akin to peeling the white icing off a bunch of Oreos and stacking them into one mega-Oreo. The way light passes through these delicious blueberry fruit juice balls was beautiful, so I laid them out on a plate and flooded them with flash from one side. Afterward, I enjoyed them all at once.In retrospect, it looks like these boba balls are heading toward the light!

8.25.23View of the RoeblingThe guys and I stopped by the rooftop bar at the AC Hotel at the Banks this evening for a beer. The conversation, drinks, and view were top-notch. Also, the BBQ Chicken place down on the west side of 4th Street is great. Hope they stick around because I plan on going back. Give it a visit if you’re in town.

8.26.23FCC Wins It!Maria and Mike took us to a soccer game this evening. While FCC lost to Miami a few days before, they kicked NYC’s butt in this game 3-0. Within the first few minutes, Cincinnati scored a goal and scored twice more in the second half. They’re now 16-3-3 in the league. The game was a load of fun despite not following soccer any other time of the year. I keep telling myself that I need to try to really dig my claws into a local sporting team, but I always end up just watching Star Trek or something instead.

8.27.23Love WinsArtWorks’ ‘Love Wins’ mural was recently completed and a dedication party was held at Queen City Radio this afternoon. Designed by Matthew Dayler (left) of Chroma Projects, the mural was painted by 12 apprentices joined by 20 P&G employees under the instruction of Daniel Baker (right) and Orion Inez.I photographed the party for ArtWorks and got another chance to get up on the roof of the building so I could get some footage of the details up close.

8.28.23Peete Street PetitePhotographed an adorable <600 square foot home on Pete Street in Over-the-Rhine this afternoon. The house was built in 2017 and features one loft bedroom, a finished basement, two full bathrooms, a patio area, and a driveway. The kitchen (pictured) was my favorite room in the house for obvious reasons.This house isn’t for someone with loads of stuff. Ideally, this place is for a minimalist or someone who doesn’t have a bunch of material objects. I think I could’ve lived here comfortably before I met Ashley, but I don’t think I could do it now with another person and a dog in my life. There’s something so appealing to me about small spaces like this, especially when they’re beautiful and modern. While my apartment on 4th Street wasn’t this modern, it was a little smaller than this place and I lived comfortably there for years.This will be a long-term rental that the owners plan to put on the market shortly.

8.29.23MurmurationI was attempting to photograph the new mural going in by Sycamore Place Lofts when a sizable murmuration of birds flew into frame from behind it. It’s nice when nature helps make a straight-forward image better.

8.30.23M2 AirAs my surgery date inches closer, so too does my worry about how I will work from my desk. I have a nice iMac and a great iPad Pro that take care of almost everything I need, but in order to keep my leg elevated post-op, I will need to work from the couch or from bed. And the work I’ll be doing exists largely in Adobe Premiere Pro, which iPad cannot run.To ensure I do not miss out on work, I picked up a MacBook Air with the M2 chip that will allow me to work from wherever without limitation. I didn’t necessarily WANT another MacBook after ditching my old one for the iMac, but now that I am fully mobile without limitations on what I can use application-wise, it is a relief.Tiffany and Steven, who recently moved to San Jose because he got a job at Apple, were able to get me their employee discount on it. I really appreciate them being so kind and helpful.

8.31.23The Biggest SurpriseAfter Ashley and I landed in LaGuardia Airport and met up with Aaron and Chris, we went to our Airbnb in Brooklyn’s Clinton Hill neighborhood and dropped off our luggage. After that, we started what will be a four-day excursion through NYC.I won’t outline the entire trip in these daily posts; I’m going to publish an actual blog post about the whole trip sometime after it’s over.NYC is the last major US city that I’ve been planning to visit but haven’t gotten to yet. Honestly, I’ll be glad when this trip is over so people stop exclaiming, “WHAT!? YOU’VE NEVER BEEN TO NEW YORK?” like I just revealed I’m an alien from another dimension.Nothing about NYC is surprising to me. The culture, the aesthetic, the pros and cons—all of it has been documented in excruciating detail by generations of Americans and visitors for decades. Walking through Park Slope was lovely and matched the image I had of it in my head perfectly. I’m glad I visited Brooklyn Heights, took that iconic shot of the Manhattan Bridge in Dumbo, walked to Manhattan via the Brooklyn Bridge, saw Wall Street, the Oculus, the 9/11 memorial, and gazed out for miles from atop One World Trade during sunset. I’m thankful to have stepped foot in Times Square at night and seen the billboards, the impossibly long lines at street vendor carts, and ridden both the air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned subway trains. All of it, while absolutely awesome to experience firsthand, was unsurprising.However, the only thing that truly surprised me was Grand Central Station. As a teenager, I had an oversized black and white photo of the station taken in probably the 40s on my wall. I knew Grand Central was beautiful, but seeing it with my own eyes was unreal. It was more grand, more jaw-dropping, more enormous, more everything. It totally blew me away and I didn’t expect that to be the thing that got me during my first trip to New York.