Every year I reevaluate  the year that has transpired and I have to say emphatically that 2019 has sucked! Not because of anything on a Roamin with Roman basis, but on a personal one.  I lost my father early in early February, and many people close to me. both family and extended family, during the course of the year.  Frankly, I wish 2019 would just end.

As I look back though… a funny thing happened along the way.  I met some awesome people at conferences/workshops/ & speaking engagements who all go through what I was going through. That is what got me thinking….we are definitely not alone in this journey and I personally want to thank more than a few people for keeping me upright in 2019.

First and foremost is Pura, (for those of you who don’t know …my wife of 30 years and the brunt of me…for 36) who I couldn’t have survived this year without.  You have always been my rock, but this year more than most, I have tested you.  For that, I am sorry.  You have always told superman that even he has a breaking point/weakness and as usual, you were right,  but unfortunately I almost dragged you and the boys into my darkness.  That won’t happen again and I realize every day, what I have right in front of me!

My friends/clients/workshops participants who constantly remind me how much I encourage their path…..thank you! I never thought I would be on this journey and a freak chance of a meeting on an airplane will ensure I expand that roll as an inner city kid ( to be continued).

All of you who take the time to come see me and be part of my life big or small. When I sit back and think about your busy busy lives with countless things going on and you still take that time to come see my presentations and lectures to learn about photography. That is extremely awesome and I hope my teaching style has allowed your photographic skills to grow.  This is what I am working towards for the future and this is what I feel will continue to drive me forward, no matter the life obstacles.

In a few months, it marks the 17th year since I stated Roamin’ with Roman Photo Tours.  I could have never guessed what it has become and that is all thanks to you!  I will continue to expand my locations, keeping in mind your feedback, leaving the small group workshops intact and offering the most intimate experience in the field around.

When I return from Costa Rica in a few weeks I will finalize (except speaking engagements) my 2020 schedule as well as the first quarter of 2021.

Thanks for your support and on behalf of my family, Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Roman

Have you ever wondered what it means to be a photographer?

In a way, photographs allow us to be time travelers! I want you to take a minute and think about that concept. Capturing an image is really only a speck in time yet the results defy time.  What do I mean?

I have spent the last 30+ years of my life capturing those oh so brief moments in time.  When I look back at any of them, I am immediately transported to that time and place where I can almost physically remember the smell of the air, the taste of the food, and even the palpable joy or sorrow of the moment. What other occupation can say that?  This is conceptually a heavy burden and is why I continually work to perfect my craft.  Even a mediocre picture, when that is all that is left, can have that power.  You may scoff at that idea, but I want you you sit back and consider how many times you looked at an image and were teleported back to that exact moment.

I don’t normally photograph people but I did when my sons were growing up.  I usually try to do everything I can to keep people out of my images.  It was Pura’s nudging that compelled me take images during our travels with the boys and my parents.  Even at home she chided me to take images at family events. Today, I am forever grateful that she did.  I have a digital picture frames playing all the time on a loop in my house of many of those images and I consider it one of my most priceless possession.  It takes me back to those moments, even after my father has passed. What other craft has that ability?

My wildlife photography generally lasts  just a fraction of a second in most cases.  My most famous image, of the Wildebeest crossing the Mara River, immediately gets my heart pumping when I see it hanging in my house!  That image allow me to recall not only where I was but also whom I was with fulfilled a childhood  dream!!! 

I wake up every morning to these images of my sons (this is an iPhone pic)… from Sears of all places, close to their first birthday, hanging in custom frames I made. In this image, their huge smiles are definitely deceiving.  They weren’t actually happy… as a matter of fact they were really cranky!  The simple infant game of peek a boo with their dad brought the smiles to their faces as an exasperated Pura and photographer did their absolute best to capture that moment.  The power of that image, even though not mine, is very palpable and puts me in that moment.

Now imagine a world without those images.  Our minds will eventually fade as we age, so photographs are most likely the only thing that will allows us to reliably go back in time and we must do everything we can to preserve them. When I am long gone, I can rest easy knowing that my images will allow my children, family, friends, and future generations to time travel with me.  Next time you press that shutter, remember what you are actually capturing.  That is the real power of a photograph.