My goal as a photographer is to capture beautiful and interesting things that I see. My photography covers a broad spectrum, and I'm very OK with that. Yes, specializing in a particular genre would probably lead somewhere more defined, but there's too much beauty in this world to limit myself. Or maybe that means I'm still figuring things out.
I spend most of my days doing design and engineering work, but it doesn't quite scratch the itch anymore. I've always needed a creative outlet — drawing, painting, writing code, designing websites, woodworking, etc. These days, photography is the choice. And most of the time it feels like the only choice; it's all I want to do.
I started caring about photography a lot in college, around 2001. I had a small Fujifilm point-and-shoot that went with me everywhere. That eventually grew into DSLRs and an obsessed mindset for learning. Now, here I am — still learning, still obsessed.
Photography freezes time in a way that reassures me the important memories and moments in life aren't necessarily lost after they pass, as long as you have a camera. The uniqueness, too. No two photos are alike, and I truly love that.
I shoot Fujifilm and Leica because I have an affinity for expertly crafted, well-designed things. This curse of mine means I own and use only cameras that align with my tastes. I completely understand that this is silly to some people.
Photography gives me a reason to disconnect from daily life on a computer. I can spend time in nature—often solo—to think and take in what's around me. I do that without a camera too, but photography gives me the extra drive. You never know what nature will give you, and capturing an epic scene, whether expected or unexpected, is the ultimate reward.