On January 1, 2019, I began consciously making at least one photo a day with intention. This is both a record of those photos and a personal visual journal. Images will be published here at any hour of the day, so come back often to see what’s new.
While 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.
We 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.
Went 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.
MA 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.
As 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.
Worked 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.
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.
From 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.
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.
We 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.
Photographed 8K’s newest renovation in the market. I really liked this view from the window of one of the north-facing apartments.
Look 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.