Writing amongst the busiest of times.

Welp, there goes another long gap between posts, nothing truly unexpected of me lol but I like to hold out so that I may come back with things worth mentioning. Let me just start out by saying if you're reading this, just like if you've ever read any of these spoken word blog posts I made before, I appreciate you immensely. You're still interested in seeing what I'm up to and you're open to reading what I have to say. If you know me, you know I find feeling heard very important. With that being said, thanks to everyone thats supported me over the past few years. Times since the pandemic has been rough as my motivation towards photography has had several low moments. So if you're still following me now or just tuning in for the first time, clearly you want to see me win. Thank you.

The past couple of years I have spent my down periods scanning film to showcase the captures with other cameras not many get to see me work with. Its been a humbling journey as it is a world of its own but fun nonetheless. Last year over the spring & summer I've had a fair share of gigs to work, probaly the peak of which being a baby shower for my cousin in Croton on Hudson upstate New York. It worked out well as I went the year without any major travel due to financial hurdles to overcome.

My partner and I have only arranged small road trips with various car rentals, one of which involved attending this baby shower. So it was a great way to incorporate business into an extended weekend of travel, while getting to see my family members! Truly lucked out there. About a week later my other side of the family endured a heavy loss, as my Aunt had passed away. It was a painful weight to bear and I had to slow down everything to help with that process as well as be there for my family.

I took it easy with work a bit as my mother was also frequently visiting the hospital through the year and it gave me time to unwind and plan my partner's birthday (we did a small event involving (belly)dancing as well as a road trip with a small group). Definitely a balance of calm healing with organized fun.

The winter has been spent working on a number of things, starting with a wedding (something I only do as an exception) and two bellydance events. Took a lot of time to edit all three back to back. When I go into urgent editing mode, image revision and presentation consumes all of my energy. I leave little time for friends and family, reduce my time with my partner and even neglect some basic life maintenance and responsibilities so that I can present my results in a timely manner. Talk about pressure, right?

This week I've had a chance to breathe, after three weeks of editing, organizing and presenting in a new gallery platform I am brand new to. Besides focusing on my presentation of that work, I've just been focusing on my image. Besides this blog post (which I've intended to do some time ago) I was aiming to revise my website a little (didn't work the way I wanted, may have to change that platform too), completed a thorough cleaning and maintenance on my equipment, designed pricing on products and packages in my online store, worked a good deal of hours in my main job, and just about tested out my formal attires. Reason being, tomorrow I start my operations again, working as the official Photographer for the New York Belly Dance Festival!

Such an exciting time, I will be alongside some of the giants in the field like Tommy King, Jasirah and Oscar Flores! It'll be a huge event where I will be working 9am-11pm both days just taking images. I know now how tired I will be as I am already starting to feel it lol but it'll be so worth it in the end. Big thanks to Samantha Diaz for giving me this opportunity as I've looked forward to working with her for years. I can't wait!

Anyways, besides that, from this standpoint, the rest of the year doesn't have much planned out. I'm set to see my family in Florida next month, and everything else that may happen are in the "idea" stage as of now. Between hoping to plan an international trip sometime later in the year, to considering undergoing a mentorship with another photographer I look up to, to studio photography ideas I have in mind and finally wanting to execute, its clear to me that this strong start to a year (yes I know its March 😂) is a blessing of a momentum I'm given to hold onto so that I can keep it coming. ADHD is a problem I struggle with so I'm hopeful this year will serve as a stronger attempt to defeat that struggle, as every year I feel I get closer and closer.

Thats all to be said now, as I'm tight on time needed for preparation. Wish me all your best luck and hopefully I will be back with an update shortly following this. In the meantime, check out the most recent gallery of images I shot, edited and organized with the link down below. If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook I'm sure you'll see some of the results from the last few events as well as the big weekend tomorrow in time. :) Take care of yourselves please and reach out to chat whenever you'd like. My door is always open. Cheers!

https://AnthonyMichaelPhotography.pixieset.com/ihtifaal/