Most of my heros aren’t people who climbed the corporate ladder, although a few of them have.
Most of my heros did what they loved, and because they loved it, many of them became really good at it, and some of those who became really good at it kept working at it, and a small few of those that kept working it became the best in the world at it and those that became the best in the world at it got to make a living doing what they love.
So it seems there is a direct correlation between people doing things with all of their heart and getting to spend their lives doing it for a living and I think those are the people I really admire and look up to the most.
Not because of their success, but because how many times they must have failed and still kept going.
It’s possible. ✨
I am under no delusion that I did this alone. I have been absolutely blessed with incredible family, friends and mentors who were willing to teach and encourage me every step of this journey.
But it was not a journey that was easy and it certainly wasn’t one that was handed to me.
I think that’s why when I hear “you’re so lucky” I cringe a little, because the path to this point, the one you see here on the internet, was paved with incredible pain, hardship, sacrifice, hard work, faith and courage.
Growing up my dad used to say “if it was easy everyone would do it, it’s the hard that makes it great!” And I have spent a lifetime learning that lesson but it’s all been more than worth it.
I could have never imagined in my wildest dreams, kicking dope in rehab nearly 11 years ago, that one day, I’d travel the continent and make photographs that would adorn those very walls one day.
This has been an incredible journey. One that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world because it’s uniquely mine, and now my entire mission is to give it back and show others that if I could do it, so can anyone. That no matter your circumstance, ITS POSSIBLE.
Thanks for letting me share.
~Justin ❤️
#sobriety #vanlife #mount rainier #addiction #heroin #smallbusiness
I did not choose this life… and I’m not so sure I’m even any good at it… but at least I’m enjoying the ride.
Also this is just how we talk in New Jersey… I’m sorry.
I thought someone was following me… turns out it was the @hoverair_global X1.
This might be the easiest tool I’ve come across for filming myself no matter what I’m doing. I can throw it up in seconds, let it track me automatically, grab the shot, wirelessly send the clips straight to my phone, and keep moving.
What surprised me most was how good the tracking was and how small this thing folds down. It literally fits in my pocket, which means I don’t ever have to decide if I have room in my bag to bring it or leave it behind like most camera gear.
The best part is you can now just walk into Best Buy and pick one up before a trip instead of waiting around on shipping. Also available online and delivered right to your door at /product/hoverair-x1-self-flying-camera-drone-combo-white/JJGSTSFLQV
Wild conditions at one of the most surreal places I’ve been to.
You can’t convince me that this isn’t a giant pile of prosciutto. Nature is rad.
Somewhere in the southwest.
I don’t.
It’s amazing what you can do with nice light and an IPhone 15 pro.
I’ve gotten asked many times if my videos are AI and I used to be kind of flattered by that but now I’m not so sure if I should be offended.
Every single piece I’ve ever created I stood right there and captured it as it was, in all its glory. I remember pressing record or depressing the shutter for each and every shot and when I look back on these images I’ve created I get to relieve the memories all over again. As an artist my focus is to project the feeling I felt in that moment onto the viewer and I hope I’ve done that. That’s the greatest compliment I can receive.
I think it’s funny when people call themselves AI artists, it feels oxymoronic. Coming up with an idea is not even half of what it takes to make something beautiful.
I love human beings, I don’t think they are a cancer to the planet, we have just really lost our divine connection to it and to ourselves. I love artists, who create something from their souls, whether that’s a painting, a photograph, a piece of literature, a film or beyond.
There’s a lot of discussion around AI right now and it’s a conversation worth having. If your saddened like I am by the mass development of mega AI data centers across the world then you have the power to do something about it, A big one being to stop creating, consuming and supporting AI art and the massive AI infrastructure that is taking over every single industry on the planet right now.
Yosemite National Park 📍
Morning saunter through a tunnel of beautiful Cypress trees.
The light, the flowers and the sound of birds make this one of the most memorable mornings I had during my 4 years of living in my van.
I didn’t think when I started my travels that allot of the places I would photograph and document might actually one day not be there and it breaks my heart as I watch what is unfolding across the country.
One day we’ll have to answer to future generations how we let this happen.
Actionable things you can do:
↟ reduce or abstain from using AI
↟stop participating in anything that furthers a more digitized life.
↟ Attend city council and county planning meetings
↟ Submit public comments during environmental review periods
↟ Ask local officials who is paying for grid and infrastructure upgrades
↟ Push for transparency around water and energy usage
↟ Support conservation groups and local watchdog organizations
↟ Research proposed projects before approvals are finalized
↟ Advocate for responsible development instead of blind expansion
↟reject digital ID
Nature is non partisan
Stop ai data centers
A behind the scenes look into the process of shooting one of my favorite photograph sets I’ve made.
Inspired by the work of @slimaaronsofficial
Shot on mamiya rb67 loaded with @kodak Portra 400
in Baja California Sur Mexico in 2024.
Wearing @dandydelmar
After 3 winters of living in B.C.S., the most dangerous thing I came across was how good the food is.
Turn off the news, talk to your neighbors, go explore the world.
Baja California Sur, Mexico 📍
