So we're closing in on the end of the year which means a few things: It's dark as all hell, we've made it another year (well most of us) and football playoffs are on the horizon (for some of us). But for me and my family, it's a nice time for reflection on how we spent our time throughout the year. What we did, the places we went and the people we spent time with. Every year we make a book with some of our favorite photos which is a nice tangible thing given that most of our photos are on our phones these days--over the past 5 years its evolved into primarily photos of our kid 
. Throughout this book making project, I sort through thousands of photos and usually am able to narrow it down to about 100 photos (depending on how I lay it out). It's a lot of fun reliving everything as we prepare to share these times and experiences with our family.
In doing this I thought I'd try to challenge myself to pick my ONE favorite photo from the year. I gave myself a couple ways to go about it: It could be the photo that best represents my year personally, represents my year with family, or it could just be my favorite art photo. I put one caveat that it had to come from my good camera (not my phone) otherwise it's just Pandora's box of how many I had to sort through. The picture doesn't even have to be good, it could represent a time, a place or a moment.
Well. This is where I landed.
It took me WAY to long to pick it out (I guess that was the point). Is it the best picture? NOPE. But it means a lot. This was a big year for me and my family. I quit my job and became this kids primary caregiver and we got to spend a lot of time together this summer before Kindergarten. This spot was particularly nice (some in Central Oregon may recognize it). It was just a mellow family hike and we stopped here for lunch and some 3wt dink fishing. It was perfect. It had a little damned in pool for my kid to play in while I rock hopped around. I could catch dinks and bring them back to the pool for my kid to see. This day perfectly encapsulated our summer. We spent a ton of time together at creeks and rivers throwing rocks, making sand castles and passing a 3wt back and forth. While things will likely change for the better--I'll never have this time back. Which makes me even more thankful for the time I had with her this summer without looming deadlines, briefs and print deadlines clouding my brain.
So what's your ONE photo for 2023. I'm serious. challenge yourself to pick one. Don't say you couldn't decide and post two. Don't make me report you, Evan will be pissed if I start reporting you all.
. Throughout this book making project, I sort through thousands of photos and usually am able to narrow it down to about 100 photos (depending on how I lay it out). It's a lot of fun reliving everything as we prepare to share these times and experiences with our family.In doing this I thought I'd try to challenge myself to pick my ONE favorite photo from the year. I gave myself a couple ways to go about it: It could be the photo that best represents my year personally, represents my year with family, or it could just be my favorite art photo. I put one caveat that it had to come from my good camera (not my phone) otherwise it's just Pandora's box of how many I had to sort through. The picture doesn't even have to be good, it could represent a time, a place or a moment.
Well. This is where I landed.
It took me WAY to long to pick it out (I guess that was the point). Is it the best picture? NOPE. But it means a lot. This was a big year for me and my family. I quit my job and became this kids primary caregiver and we got to spend a lot of time together this summer before Kindergarten. This spot was particularly nice (some in Central Oregon may recognize it). It was just a mellow family hike and we stopped here for lunch and some 3wt dink fishing. It was perfect. It had a little damned in pool for my kid to play in while I rock hopped around. I could catch dinks and bring them back to the pool for my kid to see. This day perfectly encapsulated our summer. We spent a ton of time together at creeks and rivers throwing rocks, making sand castles and passing a 3wt back and forth. While things will likely change for the better--I'll never have this time back. Which makes me even more thankful for the time I had with her this summer without looming deadlines, briefs and print deadlines clouding my brain.
So what's your ONE photo for 2023. I'm serious. challenge yourself to pick one. Don't say you couldn't decide and post two. Don't make me report you, Evan will be pissed if I start reporting you all.
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