So the end of 2011 brought me new opportunities, a big move and another chapter in the life of Wayne.

Through my search for employment I started looking into job opportunities outside of the Vancouver area and walla, here I am. Back in a city I spent 7 years in, Calgary Alberta. The new job is a step in the right direction, utilizing skills I’ve been honing for the past 12 years, making better money which will allow me to catch up on some finances, upgrade my photography gear and simply get ahead for awhile. The downside, only 2 weeks vacation for the year forcing my dreams of more extended road tripping on to the back burner. That in mind I’ve decided to really make it count and have solidified part of my summer vacation already. Check back soon for a detailed rundown on where I’m heading this summer.

For now, I’m firmly nestled in a routine, slowly getting things in order. Part of the appeal to returning here is that there seems to be a more vibrant music scene, at least for guys like me who aren’t looking to be rock stars but just want to play. I already have a band that I will be doing some weekend gigs with for fun and a little pocket money. Add to that cheaper rents, gas and general living expenses and things are looking up.

Being as I won’t be so strapped for cash I plan to get out on some weekend excursions with my camera, exploring the back roads and rural townships of Alberta. I will write often as those happen. So I guess for awhile it will be mini road trips, none the less, I will continue to explore.

So thanks for checking in and keeping up on my whereabouts, as things begin to level out here now I’ll have more time to contribute here.
All the best to you all,
W

Back into the daily grind for awhile here in Vancouver and I’ve been missing the road with a heavy heart. As the sun lingers around later and later into the evening I can’t help but wish I was driving, exploring, photographing the many interesting things I find while on the road. I truly miss it all. Granted, there are times when I’m on the road that do get lonely the good outweigh the bad ten fold. Hopefully, with a little luck I can get back to endless threads of asphalt that offer so much photographic gold. For now I’m here in Vancouver again, working on catching up some finances and regrouping, meanwhile moving forward in my photography.

I’ve been shooting people and models for free just to build up my portfolio. I’m feeling confident soon that I can justifiably charge for my services. Hopefully this will become an additional form of income towards my goals, the end one being back out on the road as soon as possible.

Anyway, I thought it was time to update and let any readers I have left know what’s going on with me. If anyone happens to win the lottery and feels like helping out a vagabond artist, you know where to find me.

What do you do when the path you’re on feels like a deep rut that is only getting deeper? Since returning early from my failed “North American” trip that resulted in nothing more than a tour of the Southwest and a short escape from what I’m beginning to think is my destined misery. All the positivity aside I can’t seem to find a stride anywhere but on the road. Upon returning back to Vancouver I optimistically sucked up the weight of the stacked odds and figured I’d work towards becoming a commercially viable photographer.

Since returning and after a short (yet too long) stint at my grandparents place I’m now renting a room from a friend and commuting 3.5 hours a day to a regular day job. One that I do appreciate having but on the flip side it manages to suck almost all my time and energy from my day. Add to that the perpetual catching up of my dismal finances while trying to live in/near one of the most expensive cities in North America has proven to be a return to the familiar repeated motion of my skull slamming against brick and mortar.

When I do pick up my camera I feel a sick sense of uselessness, uninspired melon collie. There is no adventure, there is no exploration. I’ve tried on numerous weekends to get out and “find something” interesting to shoot and so far I’ve failed miserably. I’ve been reading up on new techniques and how to utilize off camera speedlights etc, getting quite excited about trying some of the processes at times. That in mind I’ve started to look at commercial spaces to perhaps lease as shooting space. One I went and looked at excited me with it’s potential until I was abruptly kicked in the face back into the reality of my finances and lack of options. Every scenario I come up with to move forward seems like a big catch 22. Requiring money I don’t have and that would take years to save at this current day job. I’ve also taken a step back and realized that to get clients I should improve my portfolio. I’ve since posted ads and contacted friends about shooting concepts that I have in my head, free photos for them to use in exchange for their time. People just flake out and drop the ball. Seems I can’t even give myself away.

Over the past few years I’ve taken all the chances I can think of, fearing nothing and ignoring thoughts of the worst case scenario. I’ve gotten myself into more debt, given up my home and sold off my belongs all to travel and shoot on the most miniscule of budgets. I’ve tried for sponsorship, begged, borrowed and worn out a few welcomes all to try and keep traveling and more importantly, shooting. Sure, a few people took notice and followed along. Commenting on my posts and photos but having the guts to do something and taking nice photos that people “like” doesn’t pay the bills to keep one traveling.

So with that, here I sit, lunchtime at the new job, whining into a blog that has most likely lost any followers it once had because well, I’m not traveling am I? Instead, I’m trading life for a paycheck, a few perks and a nice new deep rut that I fail to envision a way out at this point which is what’s pissing me off the most. I’m quite capable of waiting and working hard towards something that will eventually produce the changes that I need. Although right now, I don’t even know what those changes are to be. I’ve simply flat-lined, and the defibrillator has a dead battery.