Photography is a Journey

What’s poppin, people? It’s Dante. This morning, as I catch the sunrise, I’m simply eager for the day.

You know, I’m eager to go out there and explore with my camera. For me, photography has everything to do with the process and the practice of walking, observing, and photographing. The outcome—the photograph—is just a byproduct of existing, of experiencing, of being close to life both physically and emotionally.

Photography, for me, is about searching and fueling my lust for life.

I love to photograph. I love to explore. I love to walk. I love to experience life in all its complexities. Every morning when I wake up and catch the sunrise, I’m reminded of how open this world is—how much there is to do, to see, to explore, and ultimately, to photograph. Photography is endless.

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The Power of Carrying a Camera

This feeling of abundance I have in the morning? It’s because of this superpower—the fact that when I carry a camera, it feels like anything is possible. Without photography, I probably wouldn’t have had the experiences I’ve had—

• Joining the Peace Corps
• Living in a rural village in Zambia, off-grid, experiencing tribal life
• Volunteering on a kibbutz in Israel, milking cows and working in gardens

There was something about my journey as a photographer that was a byproduct of my curiosity, and that curiosity continues to guide me.

Photography fuels my lust for life because I give life more meaning through making photographs.

Photography is an Adventure

Detaching from the result of the photographs is critical. If you want to photograph for a lifetime, embrace the adventure.

No matter where you are—

• A rural town
• A farm in the mountains
• An island by the beach
• A bustling city like Philadelphia

The challenge is simple: Can you walk the same mundane lane every single day but still find something worth photographing?

You cannot make the same photograph twice.

I can stand on the same bridge in Philadelphia, looking out at the skyline, and photograph the same vantage point every day for the rest of my life. But the way the light gives shape and form to people, places, and things will always provide nuance and gradual change. Everything is in flux.

The Mundane is Extraordinary

Photographing the monotony, the mundane, the “boring” moments in life enriches my life with meaning. Why? Because I know I can create something from nothing.

I can uplift mundane, ordinary moments to an extraordinary height.

By simply observing and walking, I remind myself that the world is wide open—waiting to be explored.

Photography is About Humanity

Photography is not just about photography.

It’s about how you interact with humanity and life itself. The photographs are just a byproduct of that curiosity.

For me, photography is a way to fuel my creative hunger through the endless experience of:

• Exploring
• Walking
• Experiencing life in its rawest form

The Camera as an Excuse to Live More

I carry a Ricoh GR III in my front right pocket. This way, there’s no excuse to not take a photograph.

I take the camera for the ride. I don’t let the camera take me.

By keeping a camera with me at all times, I naturally photograph more by simply living my life.

Walking is the Key

Photography has nothing to do with photography.

You can study the masters, read photobooks, learn composition techniques—but the only way to improve is through:

• Practice
• Movement
• Walking
• Experimentation

Be an amateur forever. Let the streets teach you.

Photography is about experiencing more, photographing more, and embracing curiosity—just like a child. Stay playful.

Photography as an Open-World Game

I think of the world like an open-world video game—infinite possibilities, endless exploration. You decide where to go, what to see, who to meet.

Photography provides you with an infinite ability to interact and engage with life itself.

Get closer. Photograph not only in close physical proximity, but with emotional proximity—feel life through the lens.

The Importance of Your Own Space

Delete Instagram. Build your own website. Conquer your own domain.

• Use Bluehost to host your firstnamelastname.com
• Use WordPress.org to share your photos
• Encourage people to find you online, not through a social media algorithm

If you want to build an audience, make it your space—not Instagram’s.

Stick to One Camera, One Lens

A simple, fixed lens camera like the Ricoh GR III or Fuji X100 forces you to be consistent. No decision fatigue. Just shoot.

Tap into your intuition—don’t get distracted by gear.

Creative Constraints = Creative Freedom

I’ve been shooting high-contrast black-and-white JPEGs for the past two years. Why?

Because having a constraint like black and white, or a single focal length, actually makes you more creative.

Creative flourishing comes through discipline.

Photography is a Journey

Simply put: enjoy the ride.

Don’t be a slave to photography. Let photography fuel your lust for life.

Go out. Explore. Walk. Observe. Photograph endlessly.

Thanks for reading. See you out there.