A Letter To Future You

When that early morning alarm shatters the silence, it’s a real battle to push through the comfort of your bed and venture into the dark. You’re bombarded with doubts: “What if the lighting’s all wrong?” or “It looks like it’s going to be cloudy.” These thoughts can easily persuade you to choose the path of least resistance: hit snooze, roll over, and forget the whole thing.

I’ve been in both camps: the serial snooze hitter who ultimately gives in to sleep, and the determined adventurer who braves the early hours for that perfect sunrise shoot. Sometimes, when I’ve dragged myself out, I’ve been rewarded with epic conditions. Other times, I’ve stood there, camera in hand, wondering why I put myself through all this trouble.

So, what’s the point of my ramble? If you’re still here, reading this, thanks for sticking around.

Here’s a bit of wisdom I’ve picked up from this constant back-and-forth that seems to define a photographer’s life: The real mistake isn’t in facing less-than-ideal conditions. It’s in not going out at all. Not giving it a shot. The ‘what if’ that haunts you later… wondering what you might have missed… is often worse than dealing with bad lighting or rain.

I never want future me to ask “Why didn’t you at least try?”

So, it’s not just about photography, is it? This struggle between comfort and the lure of what might be, it’s a metaphor for life itself. Every time we face that choice… to stay in our safe, familiar world or to step out into the unknown… we’re at a crossroad. It’s these decisions, these moments of uncertainty and potential, that shape who we are and the life we lead. In the end, the experiences we might regret the most, are the ones we never dared.

Sometimes you get the shot, sometimes you don’t, trust the process. Don’t give up. Every step is towards growth.

What doubt do you want future you to have?