2020 - REVIEW

A global pandemic, a racial movement, worldwide wildfires, a record hurricane season, a domestic bombing, and a United States election. If this were all written into a movie, it would come together like a bad M. Night Shyamalan drama with no twist or a cheesy Michael Bay espionage with far too many 360° spinning camera sequences and rumbling bass-drop noises. Oh, let’s not forget the murder hornets.

2020 was not the year we wanted. When the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2020, I started to notice meme after meme that projected a better year. In my last review, I compared 2019 to the opening sequence of the film “Rocky” where the Italian Stallion fights over $40. While Rocky takes the win, his opponent less locker, shower, towel and tax, comes home with $17.50. I was met with colossal challenges in finance, health, heartbreak and loss, only to be left in the corner with a cold-press to my check with the sound of the bell. I felt like the opponent.

With the new decade, I was optimistic and ready to tackle 2020. The new year started with electric left turn and I connected with an old friend on New Year’s Eve. I had known Colleen for quite some time and ironically I photographed her for my first paid editorial project in 2012. Over the years, we would share business small talk and casual conversation when we ran into each other, but now on New Year’s Day we were sharing our travel stories over brunch. I can remember the feeling of pounding headache, but also nervousness and exhilaration to be sharing a Bloody Mary with someone I intensely respected and admired. The energy was a breath of fresh air I so deeply needed after a brutal beatdown of the previous year.

Shortly thereafter, I was on a plane back to Tanzania, Africa for my seventh adventure in the bush for Waterboys. While the trip was a great success, I noticed something strange upon my return: pacing through the Addis Ababa airport in Ethiopia, everyone was wearing a medical mask except for me. At the time, I had a very small concept of the COVID-19 virus. I knew it was a virus that had profoundly impacted a few countries, but I could never have predicted it would create the destruction it would ultimately have on the world.

Over the course of the 6 months that followed, there were a multitude of backyard fires, 5:00pm broadcasts with Andy Beshear, cocktails, takeout tacos, ghillie suit dancing, Zoom meetings, curfews, patio dining, late-night weightlifting, air guitar, board games, edible gardening, helicopters, endlessly scrolling through HBO Max, weekend camping, low-country boils and most notably… bourbon.

2020 was incredibly taxing and challenging for many, but it also introduced simpler memorable moments like trying to crack an egg with my forearm, making hot sauce from scratch or filleting a catfish for the first time. There were many days I found myself looking out my office window yearning for something to do, other days I couldn't wait to take a break. Let's face it, this was a year most of us wish we could pass over, but despite the hard times, there were some notable victories in my camp.

  • In partnership with Waterboys and Worldserve International, we successfully wrapped another trip to Tanzania, Africa in support of the mission of clean water in East Africa.

  • We successfully wrapped the "Pay What You Wish" coaching program for 60 photographers all over the world.

  • We successfully wrapped two exclusive webinars "Transition From Retail To Commercial Photography" and "Pricing, Bidding And Winning" for nearly 150 photographers.

  • We finalized a new portfolio edit with Stacy Swiderski of Philly Reps.

  • We successfully wrapped the "What We Do Best" and "The Day No One Needs Us" advertising campaign for Norton Healthcare.

  • We successfully wrapped up 2020 advertising for Palm Beach, Florida Tourism and Kentucky Tourism.

  • In collaboration with Brunch & Brand, we hosted two exclusive webinars including "The Art Of The Treatment" and "Estimating and Licensing Like A Pro."

  • We curated, designed and mailed a 2020 promotional newspaper.

  • I joined the KMAC Museum board of directors.

  • I started a bourbon collection.

  • I bought a Jeep.

I did not achieve many of the goals I set out to achieve in January, I didn’t get a SCUBA certification, I didn’t lose weight, I didn’t complete a personal project, but I am thankful I achieved what I did. I miss traveling, I miss shaking hands and I miss a world without hand sanitizer made of moonshine. 2021 will mark 10 years of business in the photography industry, I can only hope to celebrate by breaking bread and sharing a bourbon with family and friends who are standing closer than 6 feet.

Behind the brand is a collection of people who I owe a debt of gratitude for 2020: Mom, Dad, Missy Lynn, Jeff Lynn, Colleen Clines, Maggie Clines, Tommy Clines, Brittany Myers, Dave Cobb, Elizabeth Clines, Tom Clines, Jonathon Chi, Louis Tinsley, Chelsea Marrin, Danny Alexander, Craig Oppenheimer, Stacy Swiderski, Jordan Hartley, Eric Christensen, Thomas Ingersoll, Joseph Hart, Emily Frye, Gary Miller, Gary Barragan, Coury Deeb, Ryan Galanaugh, Andrew Robinson, Miranda McDonald, Kelsey Taylor Fell, Tyler Anderson, Theresa Beams, David Bongiorno and Sol Perry.

LIFE BEHIND THE LENS