Body and Bell, a program that uses kettlebells as its primary modality and one I've faithfully followed for the past two years on the Ladder app, was created by New York-based personal trainer and nutrition coach Lauren Kanski, who specializes in strength and athletic conditioning. 

I absolutely value her knowledge and perspective, especially on social because it is honest and raw. She recently replied to a question about "selling yourself" that I've been struggling with, and even though her response was directed toward the fitness sector, it was still very applicable to freelancers in general, not just photographers like myself.

Lauren said:

Fitness is a tough crowd. People don't buy programs, they don't buy bands, they buy you! So the biggest thing I used to ask myself was would I buy me?

I wasn't confident, I didn't think I was smart enough, I wasn't giving my biz everything I had and that was a big problem.

We usually forget that the most important piece of selling anything is that we truly believe it is a solution that can help others. Gaining that confidence starts with walking the walk and showing up for ourselves first, then we don't have to "sell anything"!

The Colombian city of Medellin is a destination rich in culture, history, and scenic beauty.
In the last few decades, the city has undergone a significant transformation. It has both an old heart and yet a vibrant creative energy that is felt the moment you arrive.

I've never met a Colombian person who hasn't spoken highly of their country, which is why I was eager to experience with my wife. However, there are so many things to do and see in in this city that it can be challenging to know where to start. The city is enormous! Although there are excellent public transportation options, the area is fairly dispersed, so choosing a place to stay is important because it can facilitate your journey.

Prior to any trip, I always do a ton of research on YouTube to get a firsthand perspective on other travelers' experiences to wherever our destination will be. In the case of Medellin, I totally loved this vlog of Medellin by folks at Attaché because it wasn't just insightful; it also had a very documentary feel that was reminiscent of a classic Parts Unknown show by the late Anthony Bourdain.

The number of times I read these is beyond my recollection. That is how influential this short list by Ryan Holiday really was: 

• We suffer more in imagination than in reality
• Associate only with people who improve you
• The greatest remedy for anger is delay
• Value your time more than your possessions
• Death is not in the distant future. We are dying every day

There used to be a time when having a day job and a hobby meant attempting your best to keep those 2 portions of your life at opposite ends of the spectrum, but depending on what your pastime and day job are nowadays, there is no longer a need to compartmentalize those 2 components of your life because for me, one fuels the other.

I don't talk about this much, but when I'm not behind the camera, I work at Louis Vuitton, a wonderful company where I've had the pleasure of working for the past 11 years. In addition to having a "day job", I've still managed to dedicate time for client work and travel which has been the source of all of photography that you've seen me share and it stems from my free time or while on vacation. What's the secret? There's isn't any. It's just the willingness to sacrifice one aspect of one's life for another to dedicate time to what fuels you. 

While I've been a part of many amazing projects put on by Louis Vuitton, I've always struggled with how much I can share. However, this one was such a pleasure to be a part of that I couldn't help but sneak my Leica Q2 out during downtime to capture a glimpse of what it was like to be surrounded by so much craftsmanship and history.

On Shelter Island, Louis Vuitton created an exclusive savoir-faire atelier for the Maison's most precious collections. The emphasis of the presentation was on products that highlight the Maison's illustrious history and craftsmanship, such as exotic creations, furniture and décor from Objets Nomades, specialized hard-sided and trunk pieces, made-to-order items, and luxury watches and jewelry.

As creatives, we may have periods of inactivity, but overall, we always have the inclination to mull over an idea, play with it, and come up with something new. Naturally, it feels good when our efforts are rewarded, but we shouldn't ever feel as though our attempts were also in vain when they aren't immediately recognized. All of this has some significance in terms of how we think, practice, and present to the world what is only possible for us in our own special way create and in those movements when you doubt your efforts, I leave you with the wise words of Seth Godin: 

The body of work you’re creating adds up over time. The consistency and empathy of your vision will seep through. Drip by drip, you’ll create something worth noticing

I recently got back from a family vacation in the Riviera Maya in Mexico. Playa del Carmen, was a town we spent a significant amount of time in, which was very stunning despite the typical Caribbean heat. I set a goal for myself to just bring my recently purchased Leica Q2 on this trip, and after that experience, I am certain that it is by far one of the best travel cameras I've ever used.

When we travel, it's much easier for me to get into street photography mode than it is here in New York. These are some of the pictures I made while aimlessly strolling through Playa del Carmen using the Leica Q2.

On a stunning evening that gifted us with such a fantastic sunset and view, I had the opportunity to photograph Ebony Anderberg's first Ebony Bootcamp that she recently held on the rooftop of Spring Place in New York City. After the demanding 45-minute fitness class, we lingered for a while to take advantage of the setting to create some fun photos. 

Shawn has always had a way with words: 

Even as we grow and mature in our life, the edges also get pushed out and they remain fuzzy. Don’t worry about “fixing” those outer edges — they will always be there. Instead focus on the center and on the core — the things that truly matter — and focus on making those stronger and better.

Studio shoot with Tara B, Pilates Instructor at Neou Fitness.

Prior to purchasing the Leica Q2 this year, I conducted significant research to learn as much as possible about other people's experiences and opinions on such a costly piece of equipment. We're talking about blogs, vlogs, technical YouTube videos, and anything else that will make me happy with my purchase. I eventually bought the camera and I've had no regrets. It's been an incredible joy photography with it, which is difficult to put into words, but I believe Peter McKinnon stated it best, "The Leica's have a look to them, they have a feel, they have a vibe."