 Vince Gill in concert at the Dothan Civic Center. Goodbye 2022. It's been a blessed year for me, both in the photography and writing fronts. I did a decent amount of both writing and photography, but not enough to satisfy me. My day job and family obligations took precedent, as they should. I also started a new journey into taking care of my body (down 15 pounds so far). In fact, I really ought to be at the gym right now but find myself drinking coffee in my pajamas in front of the computer. I'll talk about my writing in a future blog post, but on this New Year's Eve, I'll recap 2022 from the photography perspective. If I could sum up 2022, I'd say it was the year I started to find my brand. It's the first year I began selling prints, it's the first year I won any serious awards for my work, and it's the first year I began to think of myself as a fine art photographer. Giving myself an artistic label doesn't mean limiting myself to only one creative area, it just means that I have a lens to focus my efforts. Having a focus is good, as it allows me to concentrate effort, build depth and increase my skills. These are my favorite images from 2022, presented in generic categories. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I did taking them. My Favorite 2022 Images Taken for next photography bookIn 2022 I started work on my next photography book. I didn't get as far as I wanted, but I made a good start. For this project, I have as much research to accomplish as I do actual photography. I also have a lot of Photoshop work ahead of me, as this project will involve digital art as well. I might even have to hire a model or two. It's a big project, but one I truly believe is worthy of the effort it will require. The project is related to Abandoned Wiregrass, but far more ambitious and more history-based. This project also marks the first time I've changed how I conduct my field work - much of it is now done using a motorcycle instead of my truck (its just more fun). I put 5000 miles on my Harley in 2022, most of it working on this book. This project also saw me reverting to using my cropped-sensor camera more often then my full-frame Canon. Hopefully, 2023 will see the book's completion. I'm keeping its details under wraps until I can pitch it to a publisher. Here's a sneak peak at the first draft images. My Favorite 2022 Fine Art PhotographyThese fine art images are not associated with any specific project. They are either images that presented themselves, or me simply trying to perfect my art. 2022 was a year I took fewer images, but tried to push my personal limits on composition and light. Another change from 2022 from previous years was more use of my old cropped-sensor Rebel as opposed to my more capable 6D. I find in bright or medium light, especially outdoors, the little Rebel is just more practical. It's lighter, fits in smaller spaces, can take punishment, and I don't worry about breaking it. It can also use my high-ed glass with it. The more comfortable I get with my style and gear, the more I can "squeeze out" of less capable equipment. In fact, several of these images are IPhone shots. While I try to always have my DSLR camera with me, this year I got caught a few times without it. That's no excuse for not getting the shot, so I pulled out my IPhone more often in 2022. When using a phone, one must rely heavily on skill, and that means leveraging light and composition to the maximum extent possible. If you want to have fun, try to guess which images were taken with my phone, which were with my little Canon Rebel, and which were taken with the full-frame Canon 6D. It is my hope in 2023 to open an online store to sell my fine art photography. I need to get smart on it first. More to follow. My Favorite 2022 Client Images2022 marked the fewest portrait clients I've had since I started photography. Most of these were repeat customers, family or close friends. I didn't actively seek new clients in 2022 because most of my efforts centered on fine art photography. As I said before, this is where I am starting to find my niche. However, I still love portraiture, and will still do it on a case-by-case basis. Going into 2023, my goal is to deliberately move toward a more fine art style of portraiture when the opportunity presents itself. I think these 2022 images show the direction I'm moving. I want to evoke feelings and reflect how the client wants to see themselves.I want to boldly use light and setting to accomplish this. Simply put, in 2023 I want to forge my own unique artistic path, not necessarily a commercially-oriented one. I'm looking for clients who would like to be a part of this journey; those who won't shy away from trying new things and have fun creating memorable photography experiences. If you're interested in a fine-art portrait session in 2023, personal or commercial, please take a look at these images below, or at my broader portfolio, and contact me. My Favorite 2022 Music ImagesIf you know me, you know I love music photography! Starting in 2016, I cut my chops taking live performance photos. 2022 took me in new and exciting directions. Summer 2022 saw an extraordinary opportunity drop into my lap. I was hired to photograph country music legend Vince Gill I think I did a good job despite the "handcuffs" the venue places on photography. I was thankful for the chance to work the event. I love working under pressure, and this event challenged me. I'm really proud of my work on this one. Helping make an album cover was another first for me in 2022. It was my honor to assist rising country music performer Bryson Storey create his first album, Bellwood Road. This was LOT of fun and I learned a how to format an album cover. If you love country music, checkout his music! Thankfully I was able to hit Harlow's in Ozark, Alabama at least once in 2022 to catch Temple Monarc once again. I'm hoping 2023 will afford me and my camera more opportunities to visit Harlow's (my favorite music venue) and catch some of the best performers in the area. Music photography is my favorite, and that means all aspects of music photography! If you are a performer or band and you need high quality imagery, browse my portfolio here and on Facebook give me a shout. Just For Fun in 2022I took these photos in 2022 just for fun! I took these on vacation, at motorcycle events and at the beach. I simply liked them, maybe you will too! Thank You...For those who have visited this blog and supported my art and literature in 2022, THANK YOU! I'm hoping 2023 leads to exciting new possibilities in both my writing and photography. I'm still having fun, and I hope you are, too. If you're new to my blog and work, you can find out my books here and here. Thank you and Happy New Year!  If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment or if you're feeling brave, share it on social media. This platform is my entire advertising budget and is how I share the word on my books. Also visit my Facebook, my author page and check out my photography book from America Through Time, "Abandoned Wiregrass: The Deepest South's Lost and Forgotten Places."
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