“At first I wasn’t sure that I had the talent, but I did know I had a fair of failure, and that fear compelled me to fight off anything that might abet it" -Gordon Parks

Chicago Blackhawks fans celebrate in the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Chicago after the Blackhawks defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the NHL hockey Stanley Cup on Monday, June 15, 2015, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Christian K. Lee)

This year has been filled with mixed emotions. As a creative I believe we go through a cycle. Were happy when were creating well and not so happy when were not. When Im not producing well I honestly can not sleep, its like I have to produce every now and then just to be happy with myself.

Photography in an essence has become a part of me. Just as a person needs food to fuel their body, I need photography to fuel my mind. I know this may sound corny but it is the truth.

I found it impossible to show my favorite images from the year without also discussing the things I struggled with this year as well. Many times when we see a photographers work on a media platform, we are seeing their best images. Maybe 15 to 20 singles that they feel represents them the best during their entire photojournalism career.

I have realized that behind every great image, lies thousands of images that didn’t make the cut into a photographer’s final portfolio. The point im trying to make here is this year I tried my hardest to do my best at all times. Realizing that in the end hard work and love for this industry will shine.

Okay enough of the sentimental stuff.

The images that I posted are in no way an exhaustive list of the best images I took this year, but the images I decided to share are some of the more memorable images I took.

Below are 3 things that really helped me this past year to progress as a photojournalist:

1. Focus on my work

· As I have mentioned above don’t get caught up and what everyone else is producing. Make goals for yourself and try your hardest to accomplish them. Its difficult especially when we are swamped with great images every day. Media platforms post several great images a day and it may be difficult to feel as if you can live up to it. That’s why its important to sometimes shut down from Facebook and Instagram for a while until you create your own identity or your own unique visions for projects.

2. Stop Making Excuses

· I once heard a National Geographic photo editor say. That if you want to make it in this industry as a photographer, photography must come first and everything else in your life must come second. She said photography must come first to relationships, among other things. Now you can imagine this was hard to stomach at first but I began to realize as my love grew for this industry how much of what she was saying was true. I have sacrificed time with friends to spend time with my subjects. I have sacrificed money for clothes to invest in better camera gear. The amount that we sacrifice is reflective in our work. Sometimes we have to stop making excuses and just do it.

3. Build Relationships

· Although the photojournalism industry is competitive in nature it is important that we stick together as professionals. A lot of opportunities that I have been granted inside and outside of photojournalism has been credited to making great relationships. I try to learn from everyone around me. My father at a young age told me something that has stuck with me throughout my life. “Christian sometimes its best to just shut up and listen, if your babbling your mouth how can you learn anything. When you listen to others, that’s when your learning something that you don’t know,” he said.

Enough of my talking here are the photos.