“What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.”
― Karl Lagerfeld

I love holding a camera. It’s often the closest I get to living in the moment. And my skill as a photographer changes each time I snap a shot. As Henri Cartier-Bresson put it, “Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” I probably have 7,500 to go.

Each year I post a recap of my work. This was 2013 – and now it’s time to delve into 2014.

My year of photography got started in one of the most visually rich places on earth; India. With my Fujifilm X-Pro 1 and a vegan pair of Toms, I explored Mumbai and Goa. It’s hard to pick a favorite from the hundreds of shots I grabbed, but I love this one of an Indian man at Haji Ali Dargah. I don’t particularly like taking photos of people, so I was pleasantly surprised to see how this turned out.

Indian man at Haji Ali Dargah

I traveled a lot this year and that always presents such great moments to capture beautiful scenery. Paris definitely meets that criteria, especially with the Eiffel Tower. I like the subtlety of the landmark and the focus on the statue. It’s also a good reminder that I need to work out. A lot.

Statue enjoying a stunning Parisian view

I tend to overdo it at times with my 8mm Rokinon fish eye lens, but I am amazed at how this photograph turned out. The blue of the sky and fluffiness of the clouds are good enough for me. Add in a moody Glockenspiel and now we’re cooking.

The Courtyard at the Glockenspiel

I shot more black and white this year than ever before and also fell in love with simple settings. I discovered this spot on an early morning walk in Sydney, trying to escape the devil tongued voice of jet lag. The shadows and lines are wonderful.

Atherden Street house

This spring I spent 3 days in Tokyo. 2.5 of those days were spent violently ill in a hotel room while I missed out on lots of work, lots of fun and lots of blossoming cherry trees. It’s always been my dream to witness Sakura and I wasn’t about to spend another minute in my hotel room. For a couple of hours I mustered up the strength to snap some shots, breathe in the air and witness the beauty of nature. I then went to the airport and almost passed out boarding my flight (but that’s for a different post).

Beautiful scene of Spring & Sakura

I’ve lost count of how many trips I made to San Francisco this year and I often brought my camera. I like this different way of viewing the Golden Gate Bridge. I hope you do too.

Golden Gate detail

I got to shoot the Inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis and caught this shot of the Stars and Stripes before the start of the race. This pic was also featured on the homepage of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway website and their post on the best Pagoda pictures of 2014. It’s cool, I’m allowed to be proud.

The Stars and Stripes

This is Venice and I love this shot. That’s it. Read more about my weekend in Venice, here. But here are the Cliff Notes – I took photos, got lost and ate 12lbs of pasta in 2 days.

Breathtaking Venice

Here’s what happens when I borrow a Canon EOS-1D X and a 600mm lens at a race track. I, instead, shoot an amazing sunset and a plane.

Plane in the sky, rocket man

And my final image is of my son Oliver. I began this post with a man and I end it with a child. Here’s Ollie being a typical 5-year old while we explore one of our favorite places, Crown Hill Cemetery.

Oliver living in the moment

Thank you so much for reading. If I can take pictures, so can you. I leave you with one last quote.

“Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow.” – Imogen Cunningham