Its 1 month to the day before my daughter's first birthday. Its a chilly April day, much like the day I first landed at JFK in 2012, with the anxiety about the future and about the risks ahead. There is a key difference however, i am way more confident in what I am doing and my ability to function at a high level.

I didn't show up at my last job, which put me on suspension, because doing something just for the money while forsaking something that has been pulling at me for the better part of 5 years isn't the way to live a fulfilled life. My last job was a helper at a electrical company in Brooklyn for about 7 months. I had a vehicular accident which led to my suspension. Thankfully this all happened during tax season and I had just gotten my tax returns. Most of that money was invested in photography and video equipment. So with money already spent and time off I decided to link some friends and shoot some concepts. I event took a trip out of state for a birthday party. During this time I also redesigned my business cards with images added on the reverse side. In addition to this an email was received informing me that a contract i acquired through Play Wit Rox management with Fresh Empire has been extended for 2 years.

During this period I also covered two events for Fresh Empire back to back, which usually doesn't happen with that contract. May i also mention that Fresh Empire is currently my only long term contract. The first event was called "So turnt Saturdays" at the Lexicon on E54th St. It may be instructive to mention that Fresh Empire is a no tobacco initiative targeting teenagers 11-19. Summer 2016 was the first event I shot for the initiative but "So turnt Saturdays" was exactly that, Turnt all the way up! over 120 teenagers having a good time without any drugs or alcohol was quite a sight and quite an experience to shoot. The second event was very special in another way. I was given the opportunity to shoot the Fresh Empire installation ay the DUB- Custom Car Tour during the New York International Auto Show. I've always been a huge fan or automobiles, especially custom and vintage vehicles, but being able to shoot for a vendor at that event was something I had dreamed about since NYIAS 2015.    

These developments in addition to a feeling of being comfortable and happy with my work, a feeling I haven't has since working at Gecom's Media Monitoring Unit during the 2015 regional and general elections. More on that later 

In case you were wondering when i made this decision and how its working out thus far. I will let you know....I decided today...