Life is Meaningful
When I walk in nature, I recognize how we are all connected. The earth is endless. You could live until you’re 120 years old and still not see the entire world. This is an inspiring thought that keeps me going out there and exploring each day.
Photography Gives Life Meaning
I learned about photography through my Uncle Bill. He bought his Leica M3 in Germany and used it to capture moments throughout his life. I remember viewing his slide film and becoming fascinated by the medium because of him. He taught me the basics of the camera on a trip to the mall.
We stood by the Merry-go-round, and he showed me how a shutter speed of 1/30 of a second could capture the motion with blur, while a shutter speed of 1/500 of a second would freeze the action. Moving toward the Build-A-Bear workshop, he showed me how to see, explaining how you can create relationships between advertisements and people passing by—like a visual game. This moment transformed my understanding of the world and how to make sense of the spontaneous nature of life through a camera.
Photography as a Visual Game and Physical Pleasure
As a kid, I spent time at my Uncle Bill’s house in the mountains, fishing with rods made from sticks, dental floss, and paper clips, and walking around the lake. I learned that connecting with nature is essential. This simplicity is what truly matters. Below, you can see a photo of me somewhere in upstate New York, capturing a family with my uncle’s camera.
“Photographs are reflections of your soul and your personal experiences.”
This picture reminds me of my childhood by the lake—fishing, exploring, and connecting with the outdoors.
Happiness is Not the Goal
To be happy is almost too easy. Good coffee, water, meat, and salt—that’s all I need to be content. There’s the sun outside, fueling me, birds chirping, and people to engage with on the street. But happiness isn’t the real goal. True fulfillment goes deeper than just seeking pleasure from external means.
“Happiness, bliss, joy—all these things come from within. For me, happiness can be as simple as picking up weights and putting them down.”
Conquer the World
Let’s conquer the city! Waking up with a warrior’s mindset motivates me. I may not carry a sword and shield, but I have my camera and iPad. These are tools to cut through the noise and create something raw and real. Consider history—all the great empires, like Rome, were started by people with big dreams to change the world and bring order to chaos. Why not apply that same ethos?
Anti-Emo Culture
Emo culture has crept into my generation—big black boots, odd piercings, strange hair colors. Why become emo in this age of abundance when everything is within reach? Beauty needs to be restored. Emo culture promotes degeneracy and ugliness, often paired with antisocial behavior and escapism. Emo culture is a denial of the full human experience.
Fueled by Frustration
Sometimes, frustration can be productive. If you’re frustrated, it might be a signal that it’s time to change something in your life or in the world around you. For me, the current state of photography is frustrating. It’s become boring, trendy, and uninteresting. But to change the world, you must first change yourself.
“The contemporary photography space doesn’t satisfy me, which is frustrating because this is something I’m so passionate about.”
Consider Your Fate
All humans share one fate: our ultimate death. This reminder fuels my gratitude each morning for simply being alive. Life becomes more meaningful because of our inevitable end. To live with this awareness is to live freely.
“Life is short. Let’s not spend it wallowing as an emo, a degenerate, or a weakling.”
Affirm Life
We must affirm our life here on Earth. Champion humanity and the human experience. Start from the ground up: lift weights, eat red meat, get good sleep, fuel yourself with power, and spread kindness. Embrace a playful nature, but don’t shy away from being a force to be reckoned with. Call out what you see as problems in society.
“Become a super soldier. Focus on your strength and don’t be swayed by basic morals or the distractions of politics or groupthink.”
Created in His Image
When I look at Jesus in the works of Caravaggio, I see a beautiful man. There’s something pure about the human form that modernity has led us away from. Modern influences can stray us from this natural beauty. To restore it, we must return to a simpler, more intentional way of living.
One way I do this is by fasting. I eat once a day—a large, red meat meal—and I’ve never felt stronger. Through fasting and focusing on animal-based foods, I’ve connected back to nature, my roots, and my soul.
What’s Next?
Let’s champion humanity through photography. With every photograph, we can uplift this beautiful world and give it meaning. Photography transforms the mundane into something meaningful. Use the world as your canvas.
“Embrace each day as a warrior and wield the camera like a sword. Cut through the chaos, and create visual harmony and order in the spontaneous nature of everyday life.”