1.1.26JackLook at the bokeh in his precious little eyes. Look at the whiskers protruding from his fluffy meat-cheeks. Look at the perfect little ears and his pink chin. He’s the most adorable kitten.

1.2.26Afternoon MarketPhotographed 8K’s newest renovation in the market. I really liked this view from the window of one of the north-facing apartments.

1.3.26Rest in Peace, DaveWe attended the funeral for Ashley’s grandfather, Dave, this morning at the Catholic Church he attended for the last +35 years. It was a somber occasion that ultimately allowed his closest relatives and friends to say goodbye and gave them permission to begin the grieving/healing process.When I first met him a decade ago, he was a talkative, curious man who jumped at the chance to show someone new his collection of slide film from his time stationed in Newfoundland, Canada in the late-50s. He loved a special cake that everyone (except me) hated and made eat with him on his birthday. He appreciated the little things in life, like bird watching and receiving a box of chocolate-covered cherries that he could eat while he did a 1000-piece puzzle. But I think the thing that I liked best about him is the relationship he had with Ashley.I wish his last few weeks weren’t so painful and sad, but the fact that so many people visited him in the hospital from miles away is a testament to his character and role as the loving patriarch of his family. I hope that brought him some comfort knowing so many showed up at the end of his story to see him through to whatever’s beyond.RIP, Dave Buttelwerth.

1.4.26White Elephant We got invited to Unataza’s end-of-year gathering at Al Lupo in Mt. Adams. Alejandra said there’d be a white elephant exchange if we wanted to participate. Not knowing who was invited, and with 24 hours to figure it out, I figured a drawing of the place we all have a connection to made the most sense.To make it a gift, I found a small frame for it and Ashley bagged it up. Hope whoever gets it likes it.

1.5.26House on SeitzFrom a real estate shoot I did earlier today. The view from the rooftop is phenomenal. I’ll probably publish a photo of that later this week when I return for night shots; the low, midday sun this time of year isn’t ideal when shooting south.

1.6.26Counting “Lasts”As I inch closer to my birthday, I can’t help but acknowledge the “lasts” of my thirties. My last NYE in my thirties, my last cookout, last time seeing so-and-so, last whatever. Today it was my last haircut. After two and a half months, I desperately needed cleaned up. It felt wonderful to walk out of the barbershop feeling lighter with that familiar cold draft along the top of my ears and neck.I caught myself becoming quietly sentimental about the hair that was left on the floor of the shop knowing it wouldn’t follow me to a new decade. It’s not a feeling I like or want, yet it occasionally happens. As absurd as I know it is, I’ve learned it’s better to let it happen and move on from it instead of trying to stop it.

1.7.26The PortWorked with GBBN on photographing the work they did in Atrium II for The Port’s new offices. This was a really good shoot, and I’m excited to share the full gallery at a later date.

1.8.26Aforementioned ViewAs I said the other day, I needed to return to the house on Seitz to get night shots of the view from the rooftop deck. I made a 13-panel panorama that I cannot share here in full resolution. I’m trying to figure out a better way to do so. Until then, here’s the “meatiest” frame from that set.

1.9.26PrestigeMA Design hired me to photograph their latest work at Prestige Properties’ head office in Oakley. This was by far the stand-out frame from the gallery. Between this and the work at The Port earlier this week, I’m really in an architectural groove. Feels amazing to get to figure out these compositions, direct them, and piece all of it together later.This one took me about an hour and a half to fully finalize. I think the end result was worth it.

1.10.26BBQ MirrorWent to Eli’s to meet up with Mike, Jenn, and Steve. Took a photo in the mirror of the bathroom because I thought the stickers, wallpaper, frame, scratches in its surface, and the reflected checkered floor made for a colorful, chewy composition. Posted the photo to my IG story, and Ashley replied with “fly’s down,” scaring me into frantically double-checking. I have an annoying habit of accidentally leaving it down, so it was a plausible claim.Anyway, I didn’t give her the satisfaction of knowing she got me, so unless she reads this, she’ll never know.

1.11.26Mall-WalkingWe went to the mall today to do some shopping. While there, I stopped to marvel at the beauty of the entrance to this shop. The curved glass, the tile, the hanging lights and foliage, the muted brick and warm, wooden French doors—everything just really caught my eye. I genuinely appreciated the artistry on display. In a mall filled with forgettable entrances to generic shops that I pass right by without looking twice, this one managed to stop me for a few extra seconds.Later on, I posted about appreciating this storefront to Threads, and everyone replied with some version of “this store supports <insert horrible thing here>.” It had been milkshake ducked. Not wanting to invite ridicule for not knowing its backstory, I deleted the post and moved on.After the week of news we’ve had, I can scarcely bring myself to Google a new, awful thing, so I’ll just have to take their word for it. Bad store has good front. That’s it.

1.12.26Unexpected PlacesWhile photographing apartments for Orleans in Ludlow, I got the opportunity to shoot a warehouse in Covington that’s in the process of being renovated. The four-story warehouse and surrounding former scrapyard takes up a whole block of the neighborhood and will bring 39 new units to the area.Right now the building is in the early stages of renovation, so everything is still very raw and untouched. I had a blast shooting it. If I have the chance to share more photos, I will.

1.13.26AvocadoJust playing with gels and an old rotary phone. It’s not that deep.

1.14.26New HuesWe needed some props to be yellow for a shoot, and I’m surprisingly good at recoloring with spray paint. Why digitally shift it when an analog solution is so easy?

1.15.26Running ManThis is the end of an arm on a C-stand with a weight on it to help balance the beauty dish on the other end, and I thought it kind of looked like a running man. Thanks for reading this extremely high-art Daily Photo Project.

1.16.25The NecklaceMy grandmother passed away in March of 2005. Sometime before, she gifted me this gold necklace that belonged to my great grandfather. A note written in her hand reads: “This necklace was bought in Italy be your great-grandfather when he went to visit relatives (circa 1965)”When she gave it to me, I remember wearing it briefly before getting spooked about losing it and putting it away for the next couple decades. My teenage self didn’t need to be wearing something as valuable as this anyway. I’ve been thinking a lot about her lately (probably due to Ashley losing her grandfather) and decided to get it out again. I think I’m going to wear it for a bit again.

1.17.26Tim Plays PoolA portrait of my friend Tim playing pool. He sucks as it as much as I do, and I don’t think he’d argue otherwise.

1.18.25ReuseWhen I removed the florescent light boxes from the basement, I saved one of the plastic translucent diffusers because I thought it could be a cool object to pump light through at some point to create a unique backdrop or effect. Tried that today. I set up two speed lights with gels on them and played around with different color combos for a while. The pink/orange duo turned out really well, I think.

1.19.26I Always Feel Like……Erica and Steve and Maggie and Grant and Cameron are watching me.

1.20.26Mid-Century Sci-FiWhat little time I have at present has been spent feverishly doomscrolling before throwing my phone into another room and escaping into a book to calm my nerves. After reading Michael Crichton’s ‘Sphere’ last week (good book!), I thought I’d read another first contact story.I won’t do a book report here, but I will say that I think this is my favorite novel I’ve read in a long time. Penned in 1953, some of the language and ideals are dated, but the overall story was absolutely riveting and largely evergreen. I finished it in three sittings because it was so good.The idea that aliens could occupy Earth and force us to sort out our shit in order to live better lives for some unknown purpose that only they understand is extremely appealing right now. The concept of a loss of freedom is broached, but through a modern lens, I think I’d be willing to relinquish freedom in order to live comfortably and war-free in a post-scarcity society than continue to kid myself that I’m “free” while letting the rich minority make all the bad decisions for our species.Best $3.49 I’ve spent in a long time. And no, I’m not going to watch the SyFy original series; the trailer made it clear that the novel and the show are different from one another.

1.21.26New DecadeToday, I enter my Forties. I had a quiet day in the studio where no one knew it was my birthday, I published a blog entry about how good my Thirties were, and then went out to eat with some of my best friends later that evening. Very low-key and with little fanfare—just the way I wanted it.I’d been dreading this birthday for years. I thought I needed to do some big thing for it, like taking a trip or throwing a massive get-together. It felt momentous on a scale that made me uncomfortable. After thinking more about it, I realized that the only way I’d be happy is if I didn’t make a fuss about it. It’s not me. I didn’t want to go all out for it, and I made the choice to do what makes me feel comfortable instead. That intentional decision was in and of itself momentous to me; if I’d done something grand and indulgent, I would’ve felt like I’d lied to myself about what I actually wanted.Instead, I had three bourbon cocktails, ate a bunch of pizza, and got to hang out with people who are important to me. It’s a birthday I’ll remember long into my Fifties, Sixties, and hopefully beyond.

1.22.26Storm PreppingThere’s a huge snowstorm coming this weekend. While many are flocking to the grocery for provisions, I went to the store to get a few new reads. If we’re going to be stuck inside for days on end, I may as well have something to pass the time.

1.23.26Calm Before the StormThis incoming snowstorm is forecasted to be a doozy. While I don’t like severe weather, I have to admit there is a part of me that delights in the excitement of it. I certainly don’t want to lose power, but if I get snowed in for a few days and can’t go anywhere, I think I’ll probably enjoy it. This month has been so insanely busy, a little forced downtime will be welcome.It kind of feels like the walls are closing in on us. Forecasters are constantly changing accumulation predictions for our area. There’s no telling what it’ll do for sure. We will just have to go inside and let the outside world do its thing. Hope our heat stays on, though.

1.24.26TarpedI tarped my truck before the snow starts. I’m going to pull the tarp back after it stops and collect as much snow as possible in the back bed so it has weight. That will help keep the back tires in better contact with the street, providing improved traction.Plus, cleaning off the vehicle will be a lot easier if it’s not totally covered in snow.

1.25.26The Snowstorm ArrivesIt snowed all night and all day. Forecasters were right—we got a TON of snow. Ashley measured over 10 inches on the back deck alone.We became stir-crazy and decided to go walking after it stopped snowing. We trudged up the middle of the plowed street with Myrtle, snoot to the ground and tail wagging, leading the way. Barely anyone was out save for the few people actively digging their cars out of the snow banks.Our walk took us further than I anticipated. The air was bitterly cold and the streets were tricky to maneuver, but thankfully none of it was as icy as expected.It’s going to be a challenge digging us out tomorrow.

1.26.26The Great DigThe tarp worked as expected, the ice was minimal, and the snow was heavy and in abundance. Not the worst storm we’ve had to dig out of, but definitely not a walk in the park. Thank goodness we don’t have to go anywhere today.

1.27.26Making ConnectionsArtWorks finished a mural at CVG Airport and needed photos of the finished work. There are four triptychs depicting airline travel and related technology. All panels were done offsite and installed later on. They will remain at the airport for the next 12 months before being relocated to another venue.

1.28.26Abysmal ConditionsFinal week of work at the studio with Marlene, and the City of Cincinnati barely plowed Central Parkway. There’s nowhere to park on the street, so I had to leave the truck on a side street and hike up to the studio. Sure hope they get out here and clear some of this so we don’t have to keep trudging through the snow to get inside the rest of the week.

1.29.26Artist’s InterpretationI’m tired of looking at snow already. Here’s an interpretation of what it looks like when Myrtle goes outside to do her business.

1.30.26Slavic LegendsConductor Oksana Lyniv and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

1.31.26ICE OutA whistle I hope to never have to use. We are living in increasingly scary times, and I’m genuinely worried about where we’re headed as a country. I stand with my fellow citizens, immigrants and all, against the tyranny of this administration and its murderous federal police. An immigrant has never negatively affected my life or the lives of anyone I know. The narrative that they are somehow all criminals who deserve to be locked up, separated from their kids, and sent away is false. I worry about being in crowds since they’re shooting protestors now, but I am ready to do what I can.History will be unkind to these scumbags, we just have to do our American duty to not let fascism take over completely. There are far more of us than there are of them.