Turning an Image Into Unique Family Adventures

When people think of photography they think of solitude, becoming “one” with nature or an introvert standing alone behind the lens of camera. For me photography is not a sole hobby but rather it has become the start of some really interesting and fun family adventures.

I am very active networking with other photographers during the work week, learning a thing or two and being inspired for my next image. A typical Friday night I’ll be on the computer and my wife and kids will see me browsing Google Maps, glancing at sunrise times and tracking the exact position of where it will rise. This is generally followed by the question “Where are we headed tomorrow?” 

My family has a keen sense of the distance we will travel based on what time I set the alarm clock for. A 3:00 am wake-up call is roughly 200 miles, 4:00 am 150 miles, a 5:00 am wake-up and we’re shooting local. I know some people will call this crazy but there is not a better way to spend quality family time singing songs and playing musical trivia while we drive, then to top it off enjoy a tranquil sunrise together.

This all seems to wash the stress of everyday life away, some mornings we wonder why there aren’t more people taking in this show of nature.

I receive quite a bit of questions regarding photography and although I will be the first to admit I am not an expert, I generally share what has been shared with me or point them in the right direction. Most new photographers will say I love your pictures and take some myself but I only have XXX of a camera. This whole ramble answers this question! It is not the camera that makes a picture it’s the photographer.

It’s a passion to share images, create a scene and tell a story, it’s about knowing the rules but breaking them too. It’s about the experience, learning, sharing and looking at the world in a different light. Include your children and spouses in the planning, have a few laughs, get caught in the rain, walk barefoot with your kids across the sand as the sun peaks over the horizon and you will experience truly how much more there is than just an image. The next time you look at a photograph whether one of mine or another photographer there is probably a story that goes along with it. Have fun no matter what camera you have, get kids involved and get out there and capture memories and make them too.