Feature Story in American Essence Magazine

Hello Everyone,

It's a nice start to the year when a national magazine puts together a wonderful feature story about you. I was contacted by a staff writer with American Essence Magazine late last year who was searching for an Alaskan photographer to write an essay about and came across my website. We emailed back & forth and did a recorded phone interview right before I left for Namibia. She just finished putting it all together and the article is now in print and online, so I can now share it with you!

It truly is an honor to have been selected for this piece and the writer, Skylar Parker, did a beautiful job of portraying my story and life events that led to where I am today. I hope you will take a few minutes to read it and maybe find some joy and inspiration, and you may want to have a couple tissues nearby...

I attached the PDF's here but you can also link to the story on their website: https://www.americanessence.com/from-ashes-to-beauty_2166.html

As always, thank you for following,

Colin

Kia Ora, New Zealand

"People make magic happen." Graffiti with a positive message. Today my thoughts go out to the people of New Zealand after yesterday's senseless act of violence. I took this in Christchurch five years ago and it's a good reminder the resilience of the Kiwis. This was taken in one of the cordoned-off sections of the city following the 2011 earthquake. Despite the loss and damage, the people of Christchurch came forth to rebuild and move forward after that tragedy and I have not doubt they will do the same now.

Kia ora,

Colin

_CTB2330.jpg



Tasman Sea

Thinking back to the last time I stood in the Tasman Sea - New Zealand 2014. I am about to embark on my first journey to Australia, which will find me looking across this same body of water from the other shore. I should arrive in Sydney tomorrow, which, after crossing the International Date Line, will be November 3 in Oz. What lies ahead remains a mystery, as it should. Please stay tuned...

"There is no security on this earth, there is only opportunity." (Douglas MacArthur)

Colin

Reminiscing on New Zealand

One year ago at Ohau Falls, roughly 25 km outside of Kaikoura, New Zealand. I'd heard about this place where the fur seals take their pups into a freshwater stream and decided to try hitching a ride out there to check it out. I happened to bump into my surf instructor David from my previous visit to Kaikoura, who was kind enough to give me a lift to the seal colony. It took some time and patience crouching on the wet rocks, but eventually this little pup crawled out of hiding to check me out.

Sunrise over Lake Dunstan, Cromwell, New Zealand

Feeling a bit nostalgic this morning, reflecting on my time New Zealand and remembering where I was at one year ago today. After scrolling through my journal I discovered that on March 30, 2014, I was nearing the end of my time living and working (WWOOFing) at Aurum Wines in Cromwell, Central Otago. Most mornings when I woke I would grab my camera & tripod and run down to this spot right here, my little sanctuary on the shore of Lake Dunstan, where I would find solitude to photograph the sunrise and return in the evening to play my guitar.