2019 was a good year.
It’s rare that I can look back over the last 12 months and so definitively say that, but this year really has been good to me. I focused most of my time on my work, shooting more than I had forecast, for a wider base of clients, and with better output quality than 2018.
This was the year I expanded into Sydney, shooting for restaurants, stores and locations across the city.
I clocked over 25,000km driven in my little silver Tiguan, and it very much was my second home for the long days.
I met some amazing people, and had the good fortune of forming some great new friendships. I enter 2020 energised and excited.
To the list;
Album of the Year
The National - I am easy to find
Runner Up
Billie Eilish - When we all fall asleep where do we go?
Top 3 Singles of the year
Best Purchase
This will sound absurd, but the single best quality of life improvement for the business this year;
Think Tank Stand Manager 52
A wheeled bag for my stands. Taking 30Kg off my shoulder and being able to easily wheel around is something I should’ve done years ago.
Best Game
My wife and I spent a bunch of time intently staring at the TV screaming food orders at each other while our little avatars threw roast chickens at each other. Loved it.
Best TV Series
Out of absolutely nowhere, with no warning, Love Death and Robots dropped. A series of short stories, in totally different animation styles. Truly Fantastic. My favourite episode ‘beyond the Aquila rift’ is a fantastic mind fuck.
Movie of the Year
Incredible film. Cried like a baby. 5 stars.
Best Podcast Series
Reply All
https://gimletmedia.com/shows/reply-all
A great series, has kept me company on numerous drives to Sydney and back.
Best Book
Uninhabitable earth is probably the best book I’ve ever read. It’s the most honest and realistic view of the future of our planet. It’s not a feel good read, and it’s something I implore you to read if you'd like to know more about where we are, how we got here, and what the next few decades look like for us a society. (hint: it’s not hopeful). The term required reading gets thrown around a lot. But like, seriously. You owe it to yourself to read this.
Favourite Meal of the Year
Chef’s tasting menu, Ünderbar, Ballarat
A menu that literally changes every single week. All ingredients sourced locally, often foraged. A ridiculously good experience.
Best moment of the year
Closing the books for the calendar year.
The business crossed a couple of really big milestones this year, and after 4 years of effort, is in a place that I’m extremely proud of. I shot my first cookbook(s), photographed Australia’s best chef, began shooting for some brands years before I thought I would be, and financially made significant headway.
Looking forward
2020 is the year of refinement, and I’m focusing not on growth, but maintenance, and enacting good systems and processes to protect my scheduled time off.
In addition, I’ll be making pitches to a number of clients I’ve been wanting to work with for years, but haven’t approached yet.
The resolutions are written, the batteries are charged, and I’ve started a new field notes book.
Remember, you’re a cowboy. Pretty much.
