Togetherness

Like most people, I’m sad — I’m sad that it is 2020 and there are still issues in this world surrounding immense racism and I’m sad that it has taken me this long to be vocal about it. At this point, there can be no more sadness. We need change. I have been to protests around the city and neighborhoods in Charlotte this week and the one thing I take away from it is community. If you haven’t been to one yet I highly recommend it. They are powerful. You get the emotional feeling of seeing the humanity that is out there, the love that is out there. People who are not judging others by the color of their skin but by the content of their hearts. In a sense, these protests and learning about how incredible George Floyd was and how the importance of his life has brought us together. As we navigate through the path of hardship and pain as a society, I ask - what are we going to do about it?

We are a country that is full of resilience. I know we come together in tough times but is it ever enough? It was not because we didn’t fully do our jobs to help support in any way possible. By support, I mean each other, everyone, love. We are now seeing things we saw in history books and are we now are seeing and rewriting them for future generations.

The amount of times I’ve heard the phrase “new normal” makes me want to scream but you know what? Here we are, the new normal and we need to grow and fix these issues. Learn, understand, be there for one another and figure out a way to move forward, together.

NAACP Protest — Charlotte, NC

NAACP Protest — Charlotte, NC

NAACP Protest — Charlotte, NC

Justice For Floyd Justice Walk — Freedom Park — Charlotte, NC

A Community Coming Together

There is no question that during times like this, we all need one another. Charlotte has shown me for the past two years that community is an aspect in which makes this city so precious. In the past month, we have seen stories globally that bring us heartbreak surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic but within the heartache, there’s empathy and good in humanity that shines through.

Well, I was on instagram which feels like it has taken over so much of my time but when you see stories like this, it makes it worth the scroll. Glory Days Apparel is a clothing company down here and they put up a presale for a shirt that was partnered with a company called CLT Strong. Shirt purchases go towards CLT Strong raising money for their purpose. They are a company that has been going around to all local Charlotte restaurants, tipping them and getting a ton of meals made to then provide to all of the nurses, doctors and the rest of the front line workers at our hospitals. I immediately fell in love with the story and wanted to help document for others to hopefully see the good these people are doing.

This brings me to the power we have with social media, a simple message allowed me to be able to go and take photos (safely) to experience all of it. I can’t really explain how humbling it is to see this in action instead of a news article or social media post. The nurses and doctors had attitudes like no other and they were excited to see the food and the people delivering them. It makes me understand how much has changed, how many people are actually suffering, even those who are still able to physically work somewhere. This past month should really answer your daily life questions. Yes, you are incredible. Yes, you should be grateful for EVERYONE and EVERYTHING in your life, and you have the power to help others by following orders and doing your part to make someones life better simply just by staying home until our new normal becomes our reality.

I Took One Photo for 365 Days in 2019.

What an incredible journey it was. Taking a photo with your camera every day, for 365 days is not as easy as it seems. Back in 2018, I saw one of my close friends, Shazar, complete a 365 and it was very intriguing for me. I wanted to commit to a project like this and truly see if I can do it. So, we made a pack — one photo for 365 days in 2019, with our cameras and we have to journal about it. Well, goddamn. Shazar is on day 500 and something at this point. He is the real MVP.

The thing that I loved about this project is that it gave me a visual memory when I tend to forget things that happen in my life. I’m simply not good at remembering important things that happen that I should be aware of. I have these photos to look back on and remember emotions, events and important days for myself or loved ones. I had a hard time with keeping up with the journaling aspect of this project as well. As I’m writing this I’m a few months behind but I have every photo for each day of the year documented and titled through this app called DayOne. Which by the way is an incredible app. At the completion of this — we are printing a copy of the photos and writings in a book form to share with one another. For those who want to start journaling or any form of documenting, this app is really great.

Some days were challenging to find something different to take a photo of that was interesting and not repetitive. It happened a few times for me. That is just the reality of this project. You wake up, maybe some coffee or tea, go to work, come home, make dinner, watch The Office and go to sleep. I did this quite often. It comes down to how badly you want to grow, practice and take the true time out of your day to do something like this. There are some days where I wish I took it more seriously.

Day 218/365 — August 6th, 2019

I was trying to get a photo of my sneakers for the marathon video I wanted to put together and this happened.

2019 was a special year for me personally. A lot of great things happened, some hardship and some days where I just had to get up and figure things out. I ran my first marathon. I will never forget that day from start to finish, every emotion, thought, and feeling from that day. I feel the same way with the 365. I can go back and remember what I did, what I was feeling, and proud moments that happened a long the way.

I challenge everyone to do something like this. It doesn’t have to be with photography. It can be anything you're passionate about that you can create some sort of goal or journey to better improve your skill set. I have seen growth in my photography and that to me is important. I stopped comparing my work to others and I now create content for me and that is so refreshing to say. I got caught comparing myself to others, for years when in reality it’s you who matters and you need to love who you are and be proud of the work that you create. I want to see a different and unique way of taking photos and this project helped me do just that.

Visionary

Planning the future with imagination — it’s a constant process for me, every single day. Photography has been an outlet where I have been able to expand those ideas I have had in ways I never thought possible. Creating this website is a big step in that direction (for me). Just to have a place to update content that I create—words, photos and video. It’s a pretty cool thing.

I’m committed to growing this art, this passion and to learn as much as I possibly can.

Charlotte, NC