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My (Photography) New Year's Resolutions

 

With the turn of the New Year, a lot of people are setting resolutions for themselves; goals to be achieved throughout 2026. For my first post of this year, I thought that it would be a fun idea to write down and share some of my photography resolutions for this year. So, here they are.

 

• Shoot NCAA football and men's basketball
  • I've had an incredible opportunity to work with MSU athletics as a photographer, shooting almost every sport they have on offer. However, the two biggest sports are very tough jobs to get. Football and men's basketball are extremely popular and, as such, it is very difficult to get media credentials. Typically, only members of the media or people working for the teams get them. I'm not certain how, but at some point this year I would love to leverage my connections and shoot both of these sports. I've done women's basketball, but the atmosphere for the men's games is something else, and college football is the zenith of college athletics. Getting to be a part of something that monumental would be an unreal experience.

 

One of my favorites from shooting women's basketball this season (taken with a nikon z6 & nikon 24-70 mm f/2.8 @ 24 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/2.8)

 

• Be credentialed media for an INDYCAR race
  • ​​​​​​​In a similar vein to my previous resolution, I would love to be an actually credentialed media member at an INDYCAR race. As you may be aware, I have had the amazing opportunity to attend two races for free with pit lane access, which has been incredible. However, I have yet to be an accredited media member, which would give me even more access to areas around the track designed for taking pictures. This has been a goal of mine ever since I saw the magic photo bibs that grant access to those exclusive spots. I have a lead or two that I'm running down that may be able to help me achieve this.

 

It may be from the first Race that I shot, but this picture is still an enduring favorite! (Taken with a nikon z6 & nikon 70-200 f/2.8 @ 140 mm, 1/2000 sec, f/2.8)

 

• Upgrade gear
  • ​​​​​​​I've collected an assortment of different pieces of photography equipment over the years. It has all served me very well, but as I improve my photography, I naturally want my gear to improve with it. I have very high quality 24-70 MM f/2.8 and 70-200 MM f/2.8 lenses, so the mid range of glass is very much covered for me. My 200-500 MM f/5.6 is a workhorse of a lens. It has been with me for a while now and it has captured some amazing pictures, particularly wildlife. However, compared to my mid range lenses, it can be a bit fuzzy and slow to focus. Long lenses are extremely expensive, but I'm hoping that I can save up the cash to get an upgrade in this longer range. Even if I don't get all the way up to 500 MM with a new lens, even a newer, sharper lens in the 100-400 MM department would be good. I doubt I'll cease to use my 200-500 MM f/5.6 if I upgrade, but more options never hurt anybody.

 

One of my all time favorites from my longest lens (taken with a nikon z6 & nikon 200-500 mm f/5.6 @ 500 mm, 1/1600 sec)

 

• Experiment with more astrophotography
  • ​​​​​​​Last, but cetainly not least, I want to do more astrophotography. I'm most definitely a morning person that likes to go to bed early, so willing myself to stay up late and go out by myself to capture the stars has never been easy. Add in the fact that I'm very busy and the fact that I need my sleep, and it's hard for me to find time to do astrophotography. The stars really have to align (pun intended) to make it happen. But this year, I am setting a goal to do it more, because I love the results, and I have always loved the stars and space. It's one of the most alluring subjects that I think there is. So here's to me capturing more nightscapes with stars!

 

If you remember one of my early posts, this is one of, if not my all time favorite shot. No coincidence it has stars in it (taken with a nikon z6 & nikon 50 mm f/1.8 @ 10 Sec, f/1.8)

 

There's a saying that goes, "new year, new me." While I think that it's a little adventurous to think that I'll be able to completely reinvent myself, I hope that these achievable resolutions can be goals that help me continue to grow as a photographer and a person as a whole. Happy New Year everyone. Until next week!