daltoncampbell:

During my stay in New York I got a chance to visit an old friend who I had not seen since the early 2000’s. We decided to meet in a newer part of Queens at a little brunch place. And of course I had to take my camera. Alison is an actor by trade who studied at Harvard.

It was a brisk but lovely NY morning. The food was great, the conversation was even better.

One of the topics we discussed was starting at the bottom in a trade. For both of us the industry has huge levels of success that few people ever get past. Her industry even more so than mine I think.

Regardless we conversed about the daily steps and habit building requirements necessary to get ahead.

I have always been a doer in life. I am kinda an all or nothing kind of person. Of course this has its ups and downs. I have had quite a few different life styles and stages in my life.

Take for instance, growing up I was raised in a family that did not follow art, higher institutions, progressive thinking…etc. I grew up working with my hands and racing cars. Out of high school I went to an automotive trade school. At 23, I said fuck it! I started my first real business, I got engaged, bought a house, and purchased my first new car. I was on the fast track to an adult life. 

Life was good and we had a good amount of initial success. Then the market began to change in 2006. Our company started to lose 250k a year in gross sales. In 2007 I went bankrupt, my house was foreclosed on, I got un-engaged, and my car got reposed. 2007 was truly a ruff year for me.

In 2008 I decided it was time for a change. I went back to school for business. Now take in mind going back at 28 put me in a slightly different age bracket. But I found my way back into youth. I loved being back in school. During this time was when I decided I wanted art in my life. So a bought a drum set and tried to teach myself how to play. Holy shit. So bad at it. 2009 I bought my first camera and began to shoot. 

Shooting had a slow start with its usual stepping stones. Photographing my feet, dogs, friends, beers, and whatever goofy shit. But photographing people had a very different feel to it. In 2010 I decided that photographing would become my new endeavor.

And this brings us to the present.

You really never know where life is going to take you. Sometimes you just have to follow the subtle winds of change. Following these small opportunities and situations.

For me I think what is most important is understanding yourself and the thoughts that lead you everyday. Know thyself. Question your thoughts and actions. This is so much more important than the outside world.

Or for me it is…

Life is always about the small things, the brunch you had with an old friend, a life restart, or even selling all your shit so you can move to Europe and do what you NOW love best. Photographing.

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Manhattanhenge

Want to see more? Browse photos tagged with the #manhattanhenge hashtag and check out the Manhattanhenge location page.

Don’t miss out on the photos from yesterday’s Manhattanhenge! Twice a year, the setting sun in New York City aligns perfectly with Manhattan’s east-west street grid. This phenomenon makes for the perfect chance to snap photos of the sun setting between the skyscrapers of Manhattan.

Awesomeeeee