The noted photographer searches for higher meaning through work…
Everything comes at a cost. It’s not a secret that at times in my life I have put work first. A workaholic? Yeah, maybe.
I’ve often tried to make sense of my need to continually create art and travel. The desire to always be busy. It goes beyond passion and often the need to make a living.
In many ways it’s a defense mechanism for dealing with harder things. Adjusting to the fact that I chose my career over friends at a young age and lost touch with people that meant a lot to me. The feelings of being an inadequate father since I didn’t know mine.
I burnt bridges and during the process of traveling lost who I was hoping that if I looked deep enough and traveled far enough I would find myself again. This isn’t fun to write. It hurts to think about. All along I have had this feeling that maybe I could work my way out of it all… that all it would take is a little more effort.. so I kept pushing. And If I got to a certain point.. a certain level.. maybe I would end up with a fresh start.
So why share this ? Well, is everything on social media meant to be picture perfect? What is joy without pain? What have I learned?
Maybe nothing.
I struggle with this every time I step onto a plane or grab my packed bags by the door. I’m learning more and more how to find balance and separation between work and life.
Constantly trying to decide internally what my intentions are. Am I running from something or am I going to bring back something worthwhile? If everything you experience…everything you internalize and feel way out there in the world isn’t shared with those you love then who does it serve?
If you choose this path as a career. These are questions you might want to ask yourself. You might want to consider what you really hope to find.. out there.
(This story first appeared on Chris’ excellent Instagram account. I liked its electricity, it’s openness. Hence it appearing on BeachGrit.)
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Ironically circa mid 2009 I spent about 10 days on the beach in that photo. Stayed with a local family living in a tent in their restaurant. The 19yo daughter was keen as a bean to tie the knot and have my babies, dad was offering me some land for a surf camp so lets just say things could have been real different. At least we are blessed to have these work/life choices?
Many of his home action photos use tow assist. Annoying when you see a giant air at a known shitty close out. He seems to have moved on from the trickery. Lots more mind numbing scenery.
an example of thinking way too much- with which i am familiar. “stop making sense”.
This poor fellow has it rough, always having to pack his bags and hop on planes to exotic surf locations.
Oh, Rooster, my fault. When I hit Chris up to re-run his little tract he wrote: “I definitely want to add, though, that I’m not looking for consolations. Or pats on the back. I just feel the need to share what’s bugging me sometimes and this is something I felt compelled to say…”
Ah, gotcha….
Quality shit right here.
This…