KNOWLEDGE TRUMPS EQUIPMENT

𝗜𝗳 𝗜 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝟱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟳 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗹𝗱, 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲? They came out in 2014 and 2016. Those numbers in the camera world and seeing how quickly camera technology advances year after year....it means that my cameras that I use to take pictures with are old and outdated. If you were to see me working at large venue horse shows with many other professional photographers, I am more often than not the one using the oldest and most outdated cameras to take my pictures.

But yet I still put out what I do. Why?

The answer to that is easy - 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 and that will never change.

I get asked all the time (mostly by professionals and hobbyists from other industries) on why I don't upgrade my photo cameras. "Dude, you're a professional, people are paying you, you need the latest and greatest." It's simple, I have no reason to upgrade nor do I need the latest and greatest because knowledge trumps what you have in your hands.

I only acquire new stuff when I feel limited by what I currently use. And 9 out of 10 times when I buy a new camera, I buy stuff that's been on the shelf for a couple of years.

I still see so many people jump into the game dropping large amounts of money on some of the highest end cameras because they want to impress and acquire that one client. So by having the latest and greatest to show, it gives them confidence that it will be the difference.

Wrong. At the end of the day, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 plain and simple and that will never change. It doesn't matter if you are "certified" or have a 3 year degree taking a professional course. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗼, 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸.

𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀.

RE-INVITE BACK TO DUBAI

It's my honor to receive a re-invite back to Dubai for some horse events happening this year. Unfortunately, obviously with Covid I will not be able to attend but it's encouraging to know that some shows are starting up again but just with new health regulations in place.

With that being said, it's still my goal to eventually make it back to the UAE one day, regardless of the medical issues from my first visit, exactly two years ago. Can't have fears hold us back, I would just be much more prepared having learned my lessons with international travel the first time around.

POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)

I have PTSD and I am getting help for it. Since 2019, I had a feeling that I could possibly be suffering from PTSD. It was not until last year that more signs made things clearer for me.

I have always known about PTSD, I have just never experienced it at any point in my life up until now. What I have learned recently is that it often does not just go away, no matter how motivated you are in finding a way to cope with it on your own.

It is a daily battle. Some days are better, others are worse. But every single day is a continuous challenge living with PTSD, just like both depression and anxiety were. Having gone through all three now in my life, over time I have started to see the challenges that come primarily from PTSD.

As much as I tried to keep myself distracted by just carrying on with a busy lifestyle over the past couple of years (which is the exact same way that I used to overcome depression), unfortunately it did not help this cause, it only lingered it. This is where I am starting to see just how different PTSD is.

All I know is when I discover the best way for me to overcome this disorder, I want to help others who are battling PTSD to do the exact same and help them find their way in overcoming this disorder.

ADVANCED DRONE PILOT CERTIFICATION

Wow that was not easy but glad I passed with flying colors and it's over and done with. Reading comprehension is my biggest weakness and I struggle horribly when interpreting questions because I have to break each one down into steps. So because of this, I unfortunately take much longer to complete exams than the majority of people. It only makes it worse when it's timed.

This is a worthy and much needed credential for me to have. I am now a 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁. It was nerve racking doing my in person review with a long time and experienced UAV pilot but I made it.

PAST AND PRESENT

Now have a baby pic from 2011 to make the timeline complete.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL

This broke my heart. I was in the drive thru this morning when I noticed a gentleman all bundled up freezing in the cold, with a sign saying how he has nothing to eat and no help to reach out to.

Cars in the drive thru were passing by this individual as if he was a nobody. I just knew in my gut that this individual desperately needed help. I couldn't help but stop, reach for my wallet, get out of my car and hand him a bill that should be able to feed him for the next few days. And the cars behind me were honking at me because I delayed their day by 30 seconds to help someone that clearly needed help.

I've had times where I've witnessed people needing help but I didn't stop to help them either because I was either in a hurry or I was trying to do 5 things at once. Only to end up regretting it later that I didn't lend them a helping hand. I didn't want this one to eat me up inside.

I understand that times are tough right now for so many people but I still like to be a difference maker to ones in need. I may not make their problems and struggles go away but at least I can help lighten things up for them and make their day.

EQUINE PORTRAITURE PHOTO SHOOT WITH PAULA FRIESEN

To recap my recent pictures with Paula Friesen, CLICK HERE to view all my images.