5/365

A New Beginning

We just had the enormously expected start of a new year, but unlike any other: We have the chance to put the unforgettable 2020 behind us, the year that managed to stop the whole world and make mankind rethink its way of interacting with each other and with the planet.

After being able to get to the end of 2020 healthy, I cannot help but stop for a while to think about the others who were not so lucky and to be thankful for getting this far safe, under a roof and with food in the fridge. I am sure that it would be easy to look back and focus on the problems and difficult situations, but even such a crazy year had many good things, oodles of personal growth, remarkable interactions with amazing new and old contacts, just to name a few.

The Calm Before the Storm

The year started with business as usual, the New Studio was booming, our Meetup Photo Walks were constant and fully booked. As we got locked down, we started our Virtual Meetings and they helped us go through it less isolated and looking outside through the lens of others. Those meetings certainly kept us occupied with their learnings and photo challenges. The proof of this success is that we keep on meeting virtually, despite the end of the stricter restrictions.

The reduction of the activities brought the photo shoots and events to a grinding halt, but also opportunities. I shifted part of my business to new areas in photography and video and used the time to learn and develop the courses I offer even further. There are new versions of the online courses and improved in-person teaching, for when and if we are allowed to meet. We could still do some nice things like the Photo Flea Market, a success considering the Pandemic that will undoubtedly happen again in 2021 (the Flea Market, not the Pandemic, please :).

To celebrate what was positive and build a lasting good memory from the craziest year ever, we put together a magazine with some of our great experiences during 2020. You can see the beautiful work of some of our members in the 2020 Magazine, there are amazing images and warm memories of new friends and bonds developed or strengthened through the year.

Reset & Restart

Enough about the past, now is time to think about the new year, the new start, all the new opportunities that present themselves. Do not get me wrong, I understand that there are tough days ahead with many challenging situations, and this would make it so easy to hold back and let the dark clouds cover the sky, probably an easier route than it is to try to find the potential good outcomes.

We start already on January 5^th with the first Online Meeting of the year and an opportunity to meet the others and discuss what we will do soon. The previously delayed photo sessions are back in planning and will soon be made public, including the Escape Room and Rote Fabrik Photo Sessions, Studio Workshop with Models, Product Photography Workshop and many more.

We are all given the opportunity to decide how we should face the next 364 days and from my side, I chose to take a deep breath, roll up my sleeves and do nothing less than the best I can possibly do to make sure I take the most out of 2021. Would you join me in this ‘good-vibes’ movement and by making a better new year by being a better person?

Let’s connect very soon!