CREATIVE MORNING
I’m really proud of myself
I’m in an era where I recognize my success—a decade of grind and refinement showing up in new ways every day.
Opportunities I once overlooked now feel like gifts waiting to be unwrapped,
one by one.
One of those moments came this morning.
An artist had reached out, needing an EPK and decided to roll with my photo shoot combo.
It was a last-minute thing, but sometimes those are the best. I’ve been craving the freedom of shooting on location, away from the studio that once felt like a prison when I was deep in my own shadows.
Now, every session feels like pure creativity.
The artist could meet in the morning, just after dropping his kids at school. I thought, “Why not? The 9-5 can wait.
I’ve got a ‘doctor’s appointment’ today.”
So I’m taking my time, moving on my own terms. I’d already had to cancel on him once, and I hate letting projects linger.
I picked a park near his place. My roster of city spots is growing every week—each one a potential backdrop waiting for its story.
I pull up, park in a nearby garage, and the sun’s just hitting right. It’s like the universe aligned the angle, inviting me to create something magic.
I open my case, leave the big gear behind, and opt for my phone and my old Canon G11. Light, minimal, nothing but what I need.
The park is quiet as I walk through, scoping out spots. I like to let the location speak to me, finding pockets of potential before the shoot starts.
I imagine the angles, set up the canvases in my mind
—but stay open for whatever feels right in the moment.
After a while, the calm gets too calm. I feel that itch of under-stimulation creeping in.
Coffee
“Siri, open Maps.”
Panera. Starbucks. Dunkin’…boring.
Then I spot it: “SOMEWHERE”.
Ten minutes by foot, twelve till shoot time.
…”shit”
“Siri, call {{contact.first_name}}.”
“Running late. Traffic,” he says.
I grin, relaxed. “All good. Take your time.”
On my way to the coffee shop, I’m snapping photos, capturing the city wrapped in the golden hour glow, with the moon still hanging above, leading me to that “bean juice” I probably don’t even need.
My eye keeps finding art in the simplest things—the texture of a wall, light hitting glass, a street sign casting a shadow.
I find SOMEWHERE and it’s like a spot I would’ve designed myself: clean, white, bold typography.
Inside, there’s stainless steel and white tile on the counter, and across the room, a high-end streetwear shop calls to me.
This place is me.
I order a pour-over with honey from Ashley, the barista, and explore the showroom—luxury streetwear, each piece speaking its own language.
Price tags remind me this is
just for inspiration.
Back at the counter, I watch Ashley perform her morning coffee ritual. There’s chemistry in her movements, a little artistry of her own as she preps my drink.
Right then, my client walks in.
“Perfect timing,”
I say, as my coffee slides across the counter.
We’re ready.
We step out into the light, and just like that, we’re in flow.
It’s rapid creation.
My iPhone and Canon working in sync, sensors capturing every slice of this golden hour.
The sun’s so bright, I can hardly see my screens, but I’ve always loved that about outdoor shoots.
You have to trust yourself,
trust the moment.
When the fundamentals are second nature, you let go.
It’s all gut instinct,
focusing on the subject and
the story waiting to be told.
The session just flows.
One street, one route, and within fifteen minutes, we’ve got the shots we need.
The rest is bonus,
filling time,
letting the conversation flow
with the shots.
Creative energy bouncing
back and forth.
By 11am,
I’m back at my 9-5 desk,
as if none of it ever happened.
