I am actually thankful for quite a number of things, not just good beer. :)I'm thankful to still have a camera in my hands and to be shooting on a regular basis. While I have not yet achieved National Geographic photographer status, I still find that I have a churning passion to capture just about everything that throws itself my way, good and bad. I'm thankful that I find myself out there still searching for my best work and trying to help a few folks along the way.
I'm thankful for Nikon. I love my gear (albeit its starting to be a bit dated and well worn) and what it allows me to do with my photography. I'm thankful also for all those folks over the years who have begrudgingly sat in front of my lens just to humor me or to help me improve my own craft, especially my friends and family who I have more than thoroughly documented.
Of course I'm thankful for my family and friends. I was blessed to have a mom and dad who raised me up to not be a complete jerk, to be able to think for myself and to install an artistic desire in me that lead me to photography. I'm thankful for my mom's old photo albums that I've enjoyed over the years. I now have a fairly hefty collection myself and still enjoy looking back on them.
I'm thankful for every single person that has hired me for a photography job and put enough trust in me to provide them photography they needed be it commercial or personal. I'm also thankful and humbled that many of those past clients still ask me to do more work for them and refer me to others.
I'm thankful for the many folks out there that have taught me, inspired me, and helped me to become better at something I love. Specifically, guys like Joe McNally, David Hobby, Scott Kelby, Chase Jarvis, Zack Arias, David Ziser, Dan Winters and actually, many, many more have provided me with countless hours of motivation, education and a desire to keep pressing that shutter button.
'Back in the day' it seemed that it was pretty hard to learn from an accomplished photographer, but it seems the ethic has changed and more and more of these masters of the glass are stepping up to help others fulfill there dreams at becoming better photographers ...even better people.
I'm thankful for our cats, one of which likes me... some of the time.
I'm thankful for Chris and the guys (and gal) at Outdoor Photo Gear who constantly tolerate my spurious whims and keep me supplied in extra cool gear!
I'm thankful also for the myriad of friends I have who have supported me over the years and been like family to me. I'd list them, but they're just too numerous to mention, suffice to say, they know who they are... and THANK YOU!
I'm thankful for my iPhone. Years ago I would have told you that I couldn't care less about a stupid phone ...EVER. Well, the iPhone has changed that opinion, now if I could just figure out how to use it, other than just playing Angry Birds and taking photos with Hipstamatic ...love that app!
I'm also thankful for the day time job I have and the family that owns it. They have been like family to me and that is a hard thing to come by. I've also learned a thing or two while being employed there and while its not my dream job, its definitely been a great company to work for.
I'm thankful to have a roof over my head and a wonderful family to share it with. While I can't say I'm going to win any awards for being father of the year, I'm thankful to have the opportunity to help raise a few eager young minds. Its been quite the learning experience for a 7 year bachelor and I still fall on my face quite often, but they tend to not notice my faults as much as I do. Hopefully, the kids won't turn out to be jerks either. :)
I'm also eternally thankful to have a business manager / photographer editor / creative consultant / best friend and fiance' who can tolerate all of my misgivings, short tempered-ness and follies as a new daddy. Without her, I'd be less of a man and photographer than I am today. I am so thankful for Jenn.
I'm also thankful for coffee.
While I may not have the ideal life, or all the money in the world, I never have a problem finding things that I'm thankful for.
...I'm thankful that somebody out there other than me is reading this! That means I'm thankful for YOU!
Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and can find things in their lives to be thankful for!
