Dear Photography,

Can you believe it? After all these years, we’re still together. Oh, how much I love you. I remember the first time I realised you had a grip on me. It was a rainy day, nothing particularly beautiful in sight. But there I was, umbrella in one hand, camera in the other, out in the rain, taking pictures. All I wanted to do was create photos. And (let’s be honest here) my photos were terrible. But it truly didn’t matter. Taking those first photos still fed the creative monster inside of me.

I always wanted to be creative, and I guess in my own ways I was – but it wasn’t until you came along that my world was turned upside down. Nothing else mattered – I was suddenly always looking at life through an imaginary viewfinder. Always wondering – “How would I frame the shot in this scenario?” “How could I add interest to further intrigue the viewer?” ”How would the light look in a few hours?” All of my friends were suddenly potential models. [Remember all the photos of Lizzie?] I began to study each and every single image that would appear to me in my day-to-day life, buying magazines only to look at the images in the advertisements. I became image obsessed. All for you, Photography. Because what you gave me back in return was nothing short of extraordinary. Hours spent with you felt like seconds. I never wanted to leave your side. I wanted to know everything there was to know about you, and went to extreme lengths to figure it all out.

And then, it clicked. My camera became like a body part. Shutter speed? ISO? Aperture? So easy. And Light became my friend. Our relationship was taken to a whole new level, and it was beautiful. It was such a happy time for us, my love, you and I working together to create such beautiful works of art. It was personal, and just for fun. I was so in love with you then, just as I am now, but it seemed so much freer then, much more stress-free. We had fun together and ran wild together, we did things that we haven’t been able to do lately.

I guess it’s all the responsibility that was placed on us when I decided to be a professional photographer. Don’t you agree? It was a big step for us, I know. But you know what? It’s made our bond so much stronger. And even though we have had to work – doesn’t it feel like play? And even after all the work (aka play) we’ve even taken the time to have our own personal projects together. Remember the Street Portraits project? The New York Art Project?The Autumn Princess shoot? And the 365 project that we’re in together right now? We have had so much fun together. I love you for that.

I love you for so many reasons; for the power of documenting the beauty of each day, for the goodness you feed my soul, for the uninhabited beauty you allow me to capture, the inspiration to dream big, the self growth you encourage, the ability you give me to see things in a new way, the adventures you join me for, and for the amazing people you have helped me to meet along the way. I love you for all of these reasons and so many more.

*sigh*

What would I do without you? Thanks for sticking by my side, for always reminding me to dream big, for always filling me with inspiration and love. For allowing me to be the best version of me as possible. What can I say? You rock.

Hand in hand we take on the world together, Photography.

Love always and forever,

Alex