Welcome to The Journal!

So, what is this?

I wouldn’t actually say this is a journal. This is definitely more of a blog. I just felt like it needed a nickname though- I hear you, a little corny but here we are.

Below I’ll explain the “why?” and share some unfinished pictures that are more for ambiance than anything else.

A sunset in my neighborhood.

So why a blog in 2026?

To be honest, I’m very tired of posting on social media. It seems like, now more than ever, social media is just an endless pit of whatever and nonsense. Sure, I’ll get some things that I’m interested in because I’m following them. But it’s mostly recommendations, and whatever social media I’m using just trying to guess my interests. This flood of content I don’t want to see, and my growing frustration with the state of social media has driven me to creating this page. I definitely will not get as much reach. But I just want to focus on the work I’m producing and the story that surrounds it rather than the software that shares it.

So… you redesigned your website instead of using social media? What about you not wanting to focus on the software?

Social media is supposed to be a tool, and I just think this tool doesn’t work as well as it used to. It’s just a never-ending slot machine at this point, and I personally just don’t want to put my time into that. A tool is supposed to serve the user, not beg for the users attention. So if the tool you use no longer works, it’s time to find another one.

So here comes the blog!

I had already been running this website for a few years and I have been really wanting to write about the work I’m sharing; explain the nitty-gritty and the adventure of it all. I needed the process of sharing my work to feel more intentional and personal.

Now I get to control everything surrounding my work.

The studio hallways at my college, probably summer of 2025.

The rest

To be blunt I’ve been feeling pretty burnt out creatively as a result of school and work.

2025 had been a huge slump year for me, I rarely found myself excited to even make eye contact with my camera and didn’t really take as many pictures as I would have liked to. And when I did find myself taking pictures, I found myself longing for the feeling I used to get. Excitement to experiment, to share, to disconnect.

But, during these past few months up until my graduation I’ve been staring at my camera sitting in my drawer.

Finally, it’s calling for me.

The urge isn’t quite there like it used to be, but I’m excited to feel like there’s no pressure to pick it up and start capturing my life again. Just low stakes photos meant for my personal enjoyment and awe. Nothing else.

I’m also so excited for the future and the time that I finally have to put back into these ideas I’ve been collecting over these past few years. Photography and beyond. I hope you’ll stay tuned.

Cheesy self-portrait. Probably August 2025.

Thank you for your time, best regards,

-Gabe