End of 2021 Wrap Up – Goals for the New Year

This year has been a strange one. At the end of 2020, we had all hoped 2021 would be better, Covid would end and our goals were to get some parts of our old lives back. Instead, what 2021 has showed me is that this is not ever going to be the case. Wherever you stand, on either side of the political aisle, or wherever you stand on the stance of vaccines, our lives are never going to be the way they were before Covid-19 changed them forever.

While I don’t ever like to get political on here, this is a film photography blog after all, there is no way to avoid it anymore in our currently changed forever lives. It affects everything we do now.

Because of my compromised immune system, I have to wear a mask wherever I go. My fiancé and I haven’t been able to have our wedding due to Covid-19. I haven’t been able to go up to New York to see my family and my 90 year old grandmother because of Covid-19. Not to mention how many of hundreds of thousands of people have lost their lives altogether.

Families are split up because of differing opinions on who should be our president. I don’t remember politics ever being this potent in the past. At least personally, it never affected my family and everyday life as much as it has these past few years.

I would imagine some of you have left my website by this point, so if you’re still reading, thank you. I promise there is a point to my ramble. My point is that in our relatively small community here in Film Photography land, it doesn’t matter where you stand. We are all here for the same purpose. For that reason, I will always continue with this passion because it has always been, for me, an escape. This passion I have for all things film has saved my life in so many ways, and since Covid-19, it has taken on an even broader meaning.

Goals for 2022

Every year I like to write out a set of goals to reach in the new year in my film photography journey. I won’t share them all here, but one of them is to really make time for personal projects and learning. I want to read as much as I can about the history of photography, about other photographers, artists and just learn.

I will continue to share what I learn and create here and on my YouTube Channel along the way. I hope you will stick around. My intention for this website and my channel was never just to become a resource, but more to become a member of the community that people enjoy growing with. That being said, I have really enjoyed sharing what I’ve learned and helping others learn as well. All of your messages have meant more to me than you know.

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Look Forward with Me

I don’t know where this passion for film photography is going to ultimately lead me, but I know that my dream is to have a photo book at the end. One thing I know is that this road is going to be long and require a lot of improvement on my part, but I look forward to it. I hope you’ll join me.

Just a little preview for what’s to come, I have only reviewed a small fraction of the cameras in my collection. Mike lent me his KMZ Start, so that will be coming in the beginning of the year. More Nikon F and Nikkor lens content is on my list, as well as my Kodak Petite 127 collection, and many others.

I want to follow your journeys as well. Always feel free to let me know what you’re working on in the comments or on my Instagram.

While the pandemic has really affected some of us more than others, I think we all have faced moments where we had to become really creative while stuck in our homes. That is the beauty of being an artist, you can create art wherever you are. That is your talent. You don’t need anyone else to create for you.

Final Thoughts of 2021

So here’s to a better year in 2022. Here’s to growth, learning, loving, tolerating, and accepting.

For the photos in this article, I selected one photo from each month of the year. I can see my growth and that is probably my favorite memento from 2021.

If you have found this article or any of my articles helpful, please consider supporting my work by buying me a roll of film, purchasing a zine, or even just subscribing to get my articles in your email helps me out. Either way, thank you so much for reading.

Until next time, and next year, stay motivated and keep shooting.