When 2020 began, I could not possibly conceive of the world we are now living in today. Neither could I have imagined that my camera would be a tool used to share the changing tides of a nation. From a global pandemic to an awakening of social injustice, I found a need to capture images that would visually tell our story of the historic time we are living through. I wanted future generations to have tangible visual evidence of the road that we are now traveling down.

“We are the change we seek.”

In my current vantage point, 2020 has been a year of great loss for many and exuberate gains for others on some level. The year stretched my photography career in ways I am still trying to grasp and discover. Never in my life have I been pushed so much to leave my comfort zones. Photographing in enormous crowds of people during a pandemic, well I must say it’s the furthest place I would want to be. But this year taught me that there are events, concerns, and subjects much larger than myself. I am usually advocating for wildlife and global conservation. However, this year I began to look inward at myself and the country I live in. I could no longer be a passive participant in change; I quickly realize that I must be aggressively engaged. We are the change we seek. Change begins with each one of us.

“Behind every dark cloud, there is a silver lining.”

As I took time this week to reflect upon one of the most tumultuous years of my life, I also found a new peace and optimism for the future. As horrible as it is, this pandemic has ushered in change. Citizens galvanized to participate in their civic duty to vote, removing a president from office. There was magnification upon inequality and injustice in all areas of our society. It is said, “Behind every dark cloud, there is a silver lining.” I do believe we are at a crossroads for our nation and as global citizens. We can live divided, without a thought for one another and the environment. Or, we can band together to solve the ills upon our planet and society. I choose the latter. We are stronger together than when we are apart. If anything, the year 2020 has proven this theory.

I leave you with a question, what will you do in 2021 to bring us together and to build a world better than how we came into it?

Make it a happy new year!