Well, we made it through another year. Another year of best-laid plans and expectations.

How did 2022 fare for me, and what’s in store for the future? Well I’m glad you asked.

MUSICALS ARE BACK!

Finally, live musicals were back in full swing for 2022. I shot 5 shows in 2022, and it was great to be “back to normal” in that regard. I really missed the theater and the energy I get from shooting events. Being around that much talent and genuinely great people is infectious. And I mean that in a good way! :)

I have to admit, when I shot “Schoolhouse Rock” in early March of this year I felt a little rusty, but in no time at all I was back into the swing of things!

I worked a lot on my technique and style this past year, and am really happy with my output. I also upgraded camera bodies for myself and my second shooter, along with 2 new lenses.

For 2023 I’ll continue to shoot for YAA, Springfield Arts Council, and Clark State. This is definitely a genre that I want to continue to shoot and pick up more work in. I’ve reached out to several other organizations at the end of the year in the hopes of shooting for them as well in 2023. If you are a theater/musical organization in the greater Miami Valley area, and are looking for a photographer, please reach out to me! Examples of my work from the past few years are here.

A few of my favorites from 2022 are below.

Also, one of my images of Nyx Berry was featured in ABC’s “Finding Harmony” TV special about Springfield, Ohio. I’m so excited for everyone featured in the show!

THE (ART) SHOW MUST GO ON!

In 2022 I had artwork featured in 9 shows and exhibits. That number was way up over 2021 and also is a sign that things are starting to normalize a bit. There are two current shows now featuring my work if you want to go check them out:

The Ohio Nature Photography Exhibition at the Springboro Performing Arts Center runs thru January 26th. I have a large canvas piece on display there and several smaller pieces available for purchase..

The “Here & Now” Show at Pyramid Hill Gallery runs thru February 12th. I have a large canvas print from my “Light at the Edge” series on display there and available for purchase.

I applied for a solo show in 2023 with Sinclair College - more on that to come when I find out if I get it or not. For 2023 I’ll continue to enter my work in shows and exhibits, but I think I will continue to be a bit “picky” regarding what shows I enter.

NEW WEBSITE, NEW LOOK!

In case you haven’t noticed or were directed here by a link, I updated and revised my website for 2023. It’s been about 1.5 years since I last refreshed it so it was time. The blog area is much nicer to navigate now, as is the way that my work is shown on the other pages. It’s still a work in progress, but I’m really happy with where its at right now!

TOO MUCH STUFF!

I took a hard look at my film gear in December and decided that there are just too many camera systems on my shelves that I rarely shoot with. It’s not because they are bad or that there’s a problem with them, its just that like any parent I have my favorites that I pay attention to most, and the ones that don’t get my attention, have to go. Wait, that sounded bad.

I’ve already sold off a few things in December, but more are to come. More-than-likely all of my Kowa SIX’s and my Kowa Super 66’s will be sold, as well as my pristine YashicaMat and a few others. It’s better that they get into the hands of others that will use them versus collecting dust on the shelves.

BUT MORE STUFF!

OK, well part of the reason I am selling off gear is because I was bit by the Rolleiflex/Rolleicord bug in 2022. I haven’t said much about it but I’ve picked up a few of them and just LOVE using them. I never really understood the whole Rollei fan-boy thing until I spent some time with one. I now own a Rolliecord V, a Rolleiflex 3.5E, a Rolleiflex 2.8D, and a Rolleiflex 3.5 Automat (from 1938). All of them are a joy to use and I’ll be using and posting more about them in the coming year as part of my “Life in Squares” series.

WORKSHOPS

Some of my close friends and some folks on Instagram may remember that early last year I talked about putting on some sort of workshop for 2022. Well, that didn’t happen. COVID 19 kept chugging along early in the year and I pretty much bagged the idea early on, and then when things improved slightly I was still too scared to commit to anything involving any number of people crammed together in any space, inside or outside.

So, for 2023 I’m going to put on at least one workshop. Here is what I am thinking as possibilities:

1. Intro to Film Photography / Holga workshop - this would be for a small group of people, maybe 8 to 10. Included in the workshop fee (TBD) would be a roll of film, a brand new Holga camera, and my developing and scanning services. The workshop would consist of 3 parts - A. online classroom discussion regarding film photography basics, Holga basics, and tips/tricks on how to use them. B. 2 hour group photowalk with instructions and 1x1 time C. online photo reveal after developing and scanning where we discuss the images

2. Introduction to long exposures - this would be a beginner-level course for folks who want to do long exposures but don’t understand the technique or how to get creative with it. Small group of 3 to 4 people for a personal experience. Would consist of 2 parts - A. online classroom discussion regarding technique and tools needed. B. 2 to3 hour field session.

3. Hocking Hills workshop - This would be a one-day event at the greater Hocking Hills area. Group size would be small, somewhere around 5 to 6 people. We would meet at Old Man’s Cave parking lot before sunrise, shoot there, then caravan to 4 to 5 additional locations to shoot until mid-afternoon. Beginner-level course for those who understand how to use their camera already, and are looking for a guided way of getting some of the best images in the best locations that Hocking Hills has to offer.

Here is where you come in - please reply below or contact me regarding what workshop(s) you think that I should do for 2023. I am also open to other ideas as well - I’ve kicked around the idea of offering an “infrared for beginners” workshop also but am concerned that may be too gear-specific for some.

TRAVEL

It’s time for me to start scheduling photography trips again. I think I am finally going to make it to Ithaca, NY this year so more on that to come. I’m also looking at some sort of destination out West.

OK, I think this is becoming a little too TLDR so I’m going end this blog post. Look for more updates to come!

How did your 2022 go? What did you accomplish? What are your plans for 2023?

Drop me a line and let me know!

Thanks for reading,

Jeremy