Always Carry a Camera
What’s popping, people? It’s Dante, starting my morning here in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. Hopping off the bus, what do I see? A bunch of dead trees, man. The conditions of winter are rough. Yesterday, I was waiting for the bus, and a tree toppled down right next to me. Unexpected. Spontaneous.
And that’s the beauty of life—the unpredictable, the unknown, the chaos, the entropy of it all.
The Photographer’s Duty
Perhaps a photographer is merely responsible for positioning themselves on the front lines of life, out there in the world, in embodied reality—
walking, moving, endlessly searching.
It’s our duty to carry a camera.
Currently, I have my Ricoh GR IIIx tucked away in my pocket, pretty much living on this wrist strap. I wield my camera like a sword, striking through the heart of chaos, creating visual order and harmony on the front lines of everyday life.
“Our goal as photographers is to respond to life—to be in the moment and capture it as it unfolds.”
Always Be Prepared
The number one tip I give to any photographer is simple: always carry a camera with you.
- Maybe you prefer planned projects.
- Maybe you have specific locations or ideas in mind.
But even then, carry your camera.
Why? Because life always has something for you, and you’ll miss it if you’re not prepared. Like a sword for battle, the camera is your tool for the unexpected.
Fortune Favors the Prepared
I remember a day during the Day of the Dead in Philadelphia. I was walking the perimeter of the city, heading to grab a bowl of Vietnamese beef pho—that bone broth is the best in the city. I didn’t plan to photograph anything special; I just wanted a long walk.
But then, boom, I stumble into this incredible festival:
- Markets bustling.
- People full of life.
- Perfect pockets of light.
It was one of those moments you couldn’t plan for. The street will always deliver. You just have to be prepared.
“You don’t need a plan. You just need a camera. Fortune favors the prepared mind.”
Photography is Like Weight Training
For me, photography is a daily ritual. It’s like hitting the gym.
- Lift weights, gain muscle.
- Shoot daily, make better photos.
Repetition is key. It’s the same principle. The more you photograph, the more you improve.
“Photography is like espresso for me—I could go without it, but I need it. I love it.”
I don’t go anywhere without a camera. For over a decade now, it’s been my constant companion. There’s no shortcut. You have to go out there every day, move your body, and set it in motion without preconceived notions.
The Superpower of Photography
This video, this post—it’s for anyone, anywhere:
- The photographer out in the Midwest with “nothing” to shoot.
- The one in New York City who prefers parks over street corners.
- The person in India documenting their daily life.
The location doesn’t matter. Photography gives you the ability to create something from nothing. That’s the superpower.
“With a camera, life becomes like a dream. Everything isn’t what it seems. You start to perceive the world differently, looking for compositions, moments, and meaning.”
Keep Shooting
The key to it all? Keep shooting.
- Carry your camera.
- Shoot often.
- Accept failure and keep progressing.
There’s so much failure in photography, but every now and then, you’ll find something. And when you do, it’s worth it.
Final Thoughts
Life is unpredictable. It’s spontaneous. And it’s fleeting. As photographers, it’s our responsibility to respond—to position ourselves, camera in hand, and document the moments that matter.
So if you want to improve, just carry a camera with you. Always.
“The more you shoot, the better you’ll get. Photography is about showing up, being prepared, and creating something every single day.”