Fifty years in, I finally made it to the seventh continent. Antarctica was a birthday gift to myself and one of the first big trips I’ve taken in years that wasn’t tied to an assignment. No shot list, no deadlines, just skiing with a few of my favorite people in an incredible place. Ticking off my last continent wasn’t the point, but it did strike me how rare it is to stand somewhere you’ve truly never been before.
Of course, I still brought a Nikon Z6 III and found myself trying to balance just being present with wanting to stop and create images. This trip rekindled something that’s so core to who I am: the love of creating photography. It was cool to realize that my passion is as strong as ever. One promise I made to myself: I will come back here on assignment, with the focus of making pictures. The possibilities are absolutely mind-blowing.
Looking back on the decades of life and adventure that led here, I just feel wildly lucky. Lucky to have friends like Todd Offenbacher, who has been trying to get me to come on this trip for the past 12 years. I can’t believe it took me this long to say yes! And Cory, Doug, and Joel — you guys were excellent companions and ski partners for this adventure! Also, huge thanks to Doug and his incredible crew at Ice Axe Expeditions for making this adventure so memorable. Hopefully, this leads to more trips together!
Most of all, I feel lucky to have picked up a camera as a kid. This single piece of equipment has opened so many doors in my life, letting me explore, push my limits, and bring home stories. Here’s to another 50 years of adventure, curiosity, and whatever unexpected horizons come next.
