Looking Behind Me

Oh what a year it has been! There are so many thing happening in my life at any given time, I often don’t know whether I am coming or going. This isn’t a bad thing or a good thing, but rather how things are right now. Between my day job, my work with Thrive Personal Fitness and my passion project here at BatteredLuggage, my days have been really, really full. 2012 was my first full year running this site with a to date posting of 92 photos. My 100th processed photo is just around the corner! This post is about where I have been this year, and where I am going in 2013. Along with some of my favorite images I posted from last year (posted not shot, though a number where also shot last year).

Travels in 2012

I went a number of places in 2012:

SXSWi (Austin, TX)
Chicago, Il
Washington DC
Maui, Hi
St Louis, MO
Kansas City, MO
Tulsa, OK
Bentonville, AR
New York City, NY

Future Travels

I realize how much work I need to do here. My general travels aren’t enough for this site, so one of my major goals for 2013 is to travel more. I tend to shoot quite a bit of any location, but diversity of location will really help. So far in 2013 I have five trips planned (three international and two domestic). My goal by the end of 2013 is to have around 100,000 miles flown, which also coincides with my love of elite status (GO AA Executive Platinum). It is a tall order for someone who only flew 15,000 miles last year (and the year before as well), but I believe I am up to the challenge.

Getting Better

One of the positive things about all my photos and trips over the last few years, is with every one I learn something new about my photography. I feel like I am making improvements in my post-processing technique all the time, and one of the great benefits of traveling more regularly will be that I get to apply the same regularity to my shooting. I really feel like I have a long way to go in capturing truly special images. I am not discounting the photography I have done in the least. There are a number of shots I am extremely proud of, but I need to get better. I can get better. I need to find more simplicity in my images. I need to work harder at getting the right shots. Another goal in 2013 is to work on my shooting skills and to stick with subjects till I find the shot.

Changes

Every year brings with it new and sometimes unexpected changes. I struggle sometimes with keeping up. I am though, hopeful that 2013 will bring with it many new changes for the better. Changes for growth, for passion, for learning and for business. I wish everyone a very happy New Year! What goals are you working towards in the coming year?