Where I’m At and What I’m Working Toward

I wanted a space on my site where I could be transparent about what I’m working on. Not just in terms of photography, but everything that makes up this journey. I’ve got a lot of goals, some bigger picture and some more personal, and I thought it’d be cool to keep a running update here throughout the year.

Website Goals

This year, one of my biggest goals was growing my blog and adding a print shop. The print shop was a major milestone. It gave people a way to support my work and bring something meaningful into their homes. It still needs refining, but getting it live mattered to me.

With the blog, my goal was to publish new content each month. Mostly travel guides, outdoor spots, and itineraries. So far, I’ve kept that up, with the exception of my Ireland trip. That kind of consistency has helped me grow the site and reach more people who connect with the outdoors the way I do.

Upcoming Travels

I try to plan a few meaningful trips every year. This year, the big one is Ireland. I’ll be there for six days in May. It’s a mix of everything I love—ancient history, green landscapes, Celtic culture, and a strong connection between nature and heritage. I’m planning to capture both cities and landscapes, which is a challenge I’m looking forward to.

In June, I’m heading back to the West Coast. I’ll be in Reno, Lake Tahoe, Mount Shasta, and parts of southern Oregon. These are places I’ve been before, but I’m really connected to them. It’s almost been a year, and I’ve missed them a lot.

Evolving as a Photographer

Another major goal this year is continuing to grow creatively. Wildlife photography has started to mean more to me, especially since moving back to Tennessee. I’ve had a few great opportunities to capture wildlife, and I’ve realized how much I enjoy it.

To take it further, I’m planning to add more suitable equipment to my kit. My next big investment is a dedicated wildlife lens. That kind of reach lets me photograph wildlife from a respectful distance without losing quality. It’s not just about gear, though. It’s about telling better stories and staying mindful of how I approach nature.

Learning and Growing

There’s been a lot of learning on the back end too. Running a website is no small task. I came into it with no background at all, and there’s more to it than most people realize. If I had to map it out, photography and editing would be one small slice. The rest is managing the site, writing, editing, optimizing, troubleshooting, and always learning as I go.

Sharing With the Right People

Social media has been its own learning curve. I’ve spent years trying to fit into platforms that just never felt right. Lately, I’ve been exploring places that actually feel good to share in. Smaller communities. People who get it. That shift has made a big difference.

Instead of relying on algorithms, I’ve started finding and reaching out to people who enjoy what I create. The feedback has been meaningful, and it’s reminded me why I started all of this. I’m excited to keep finding more of these circles and to stay tapped into communities that make it all feel worthwhile.