2010, A Year of Change

I’m finding it difficult to begin this post. I think the scope of what I hope to cover is a bit overwhelming.
At the end of each year I like to take the time to look at what I did and did not accomplish. Both personally and professionally. So I thought I would have the last post of the year be a bit of a recap of 2010.

I would definitely say that this has been a year of change. The biggest change that comes to my mind would be that of my wife and I moving to Los Angeles. I have always commuted to LA for work over many years but now it’s in reverse. I live in LA and commute to my studio in PHX for work. (I lived in LA many years prior for about 6 months but came home with my tail between my legs – broke and sick from stress and malnutrition).

We had talked of moving to Los Angeles for a while but never followed through since my wife was in college and I was running my business. But we both knew that we needed to try it. Then in June of this year two thing happened back to back that basically made our decision for us: My wife was accepted to a graduate  program and I was signed by a rep. Both in LA. So in August we made our move. I’m about to turn 33 years old – I’ve been shooting since 1996 – and with this move I feel like I’m completely starting over. Freakin’ crazy.

As mentioned above another change that happened this year was being signed by an agent. As of this past summer I am now represented by Steve Bishop Reps.

Another reason I would call 2o1o a year of change is the fact that I have moved further into being a director. This transition has been something I saw coming since a very young age. I’ve always wanted to direct but along the way I fell in love with photography. It’s only over the last few years that I’ve been able to bridge the divide between the two fields. And along the way I’ve had the opportunity to work with some great people on some crazy cool projects.

Here’s one of the commercials that I directed for Fox Sports only a few months back.

httpv://vimeo.com/16455449

One area where I feel I both succeeded and failed at the same time is with my personal work. I started the year off creating some of my strongest images ever. But then with moving to LA and directing some all consuming projects the personal work was pushed to the side. That is definitely an area I hope to challenge myself in this coming year. Below are a few of the images that were self commissioned in 2010.

Another area where I hope to challenge myself (and in turn others) in 2011 is in offering my artistic services to charity – non profit organizations. There are so many people who can use the talents we have to bring awareness and in turn change to causes more important than any ‘issue’ I may have in my own life. We have been given a gift and I see it our duty to give it back. It’s time.

There’s so much more to say about 2010 but I guess thats for my journal.

Happy New Years. Jeff.