You know I had to…
My favorite images of 2014!
I also wanted to take the time out to reflect on some pretty cool things that happened as well. So, here you go. My year in review.
The year started off pretty quiet. The DC area got a few days with a little snow. One day, I decided to go to Arlington National Cemetery and try to capture some cool monochromatic images. This was definitely my favorite. I love how everything is so symmetrical but so quiet and peaceful. Walking around the cemetery is no joke, especially with the 5d MarkII. I remember being pretty tired after taking these images.
Then came spring. Spring is so magical around the DC area. Everyone comes out of hibernation and theres just so many things to do and see around the city. Of course, my favorites are the Cherry Blossoms.
Each year I try to do something different. I don’t want to take the typical shot of the Cherry Blossoms with the Jefferson Memorial. When I saw this lady sit right in front of me, posing for another photographer. I knew this was my chance.
Also at this time I was introducing my one-on-one photography workshops which were so much fun! I got to meet a lot of new friends and continue to still do them today.
However, the biggest change in my photo career this year happened in the summer. I became a Master at the Arcanum. This new awesome way of learning photography through a mentor/mentee relationship. Or how Trey Ratcliff calls them Master/Apprentice relationship. In the summer of 2014, I became the master of 20 new apprentices which are more like 20 new friends now. I love my community have learned as much from them as they have hopefully from me.
Trey also started a friendly photo competition called “Creation Wars”. I am honored to have been asked to participate in 2 out of the 6 so far and proud to say that my cohort has won both times!! Check out the recordings here:
Of course, still one of my favorite places to shoot is the US Capitol building. For some reason, I wasn’t really feeling it. I don’t know if it was carrying around a heavy camera or the lack of color in the sky, but I didn’t really know what I was going for when I was out shooting that day. I finally decided to switch to my zoom lens and focused on the only part of the sky that had color. I’m so glad I did because this is definitely one of my favorites from the past year.
But going to Great Falls Park is so nostalgic for me. I spent many afternoons and evenings while I was in High School at Great Falls Park. I don’t know, it was a fun place to hang out and I remember going with my mom a few times to practice my picture taking skills. I love the park and it’s always so different every time I go.
The summer was also the summer of epic PAN-oramas! I mean we had so crazy storms which lead to some crazy images!
Check this one out I took one afternoon at sunset. I intended to shoot more, but as I was taking the last frame it had started to rain and I was about to get soaked! It still turned out pretty awesome thou!
We also did quite a bit of traveling. From NYC to Tampa, Utah to Turks and Caicos, I feel like I got some great travel images. This one from Zion National Park is definitely my favorite.
All in all 2014 was a great year. I was able to accomplish many personal and professional goals but also do things that I never thought would happen. For instance, who knew my image would be on Smithosnian.com?? Not me!
Also winning 2014’s DC Best Visual Artist was probably the highlight of my entire life
And how cool is it to see my images on the background of EWTN’s nightly news?
Big ups to Google for hanging my images up. Just one more reason why to love Google.
Last but not least, I’m in LOVE with this fog series I took right before Christmas.
If this is any indication of what 2015 is going to be like? I can’t freaking wait!!! But this ode to 2014 isn’t over yet. Stay tuned for tomorrow…
Until then, let me be the first to say Happy New Year! 2015 is going to be the best yet!