Freezing Time: The Gratitude of Looking Back Through My Lens from 2024

Looking back through my lens.

As we step into a new year, I find myself scrolling through the thousands of images I captured in 2024. Each one is a portal to a moment—a story, a feeling, a breath of life frozen in time. Photography has always been my way of pressing pause on the chaos of the world. It allows me to capture beauty as I see it and bottle up memories I don’t ever want to lose.

Looking back through my lens from the past year, I’m struck by the gratitude that floods in. Gratitude for the places I’ve traveled, the people I’ve met, and the moments I’ve been privileged to experience. Some photos take me back to vibrant sunsets over the California coast, where the ocean stretched endlessly before me. Others remind me of quiet moments in my van, sipping coffee while the world outside was still waking up.

Each image tells a story, not just of the subject but also of the person I was when I took it. I can see how my photography has evolved—not just technically but emotionally. The way I compose a shot reflects my mood, my state of mind, and the life lessons I’ve carried into that moment.

In 2024, I embraced a deeper intention with my work. I stopped worrying about whether others would like my photos and focused instead on what moved me. Did the light feel alive? Did the composition spark something in me? Did the scene make me pause and say, “This is it”? Those were the questions that guided me this past year.

And now, as I look back, I see so much more than images. I see a record of growth, resilience, and gratitude. Photography has given me the gift of memory retention in the most vivid way. It’s easy to forget where we were six months ago or even last week. But when I scroll back through these photos, I’m reminded of who I was in those moments, what I felt, and how far I’ve come.

One of the greatest lessons from this past year is how gratitude transforms everything. Every click of the shutter has been an act of appreciation—not just for what’s in front of me but for the chance to capture it and carry it forward. And while I take photos primarily for myself, knowing that others connect with them too has been an unexpected blessing.

As I head into 2025, my hope is to continue freezing time—not for perfection but for meaning. Photography keeps me present, connected, and grounded. And looking back through my lens from 2024, I’m reminded that life is a collection of fleeting moments, each one worth cherishing.

To everyone who has supported my journey—whether you’ve admired a photo, purchased a print, or simply taken the time to read this blog—thank you. Your encouragement means more than I can say. Here’s to another year of capturing the beauty in front of me and holding on to the gratitude it brings.