Where I’ve Been; Where I’m Going

For the past few days I’ve been thinking a lot about where I’ve been. Not only about the past 15 years when I began my Photographic Journey, but also the 30 years before then.

Many things have changed in both of those lifetimes. Most of the 30 years before My Photographic Journey was working in technology in government. The Communications field when it was two-way radios and Telephony, desktop telephones and in 911. I was there when pagers started being used, and then Car Telephones. This even before the bag phone and the cell phone commonly thought of as the Brick. All of that in a way seems like just a couple of years ago and not a couple of decades ago.

Around 10 years ago, I revisited something that I had mostly set aside early in those first 30 years of my work life, photography.

I’ve related this story many times. Around 2006 I developed an On-line Calendar of events for the Delmarva. Each of the counties in Delaware and on Maryland’s Eastern Shore did a fairly good job of promoting the big events and even many of the little ones too, but there wasn’t really anyplace to see what may be happening in the next county over. It was at ShoreToBeFun.com.

I often attended some of the bigger events and using a small point and shoot camera was taking photos. This was in the days when those cameras had limitation and the cameras in phones as bad if not worst. I decided to purchase a DSLR, and a few exchangeable lens and my photojournalist career began.

While I didn’t push to do much more than photojournalism, I did find myself taking more Landscapes and History and Heritage photos. And along the way there were a few portraits shoots. I still want to do some portraits out in nature

That’s where I found myself in the late teens. I purchased a photo-grade printer and began selling prints and cards. When Covid hit in 2020 I very nearly gave it all up and retired.

Looking back, perhaps that what I should have done. But I didn’t. I did shut down the ShoreToBeFun.com Calendar and started using ShoreToBeFun Photography as my business name. I began publishing photo-essays at what has become Explore Chesapeake Country (ExploreChesapeakeCountry.com). I was already a member of the Kent County Chamber of Commerce, I started a term on their board in January of 2020, and joined the Caroline County Chamber of Commerce in 2021. And in late 2022, I along with a friend, opened a Gift Shop in Greensboro, MD. Although my partner when the gift shop began decided to leave after a year, I continued on.

At first I was just offering Canvas, Prints, and Cards in my part of the shop, I began putting my photos on more and more craft items. Mugs, Slates, Wind Chimes, Car Coasters, Mouse Pads, Puzzles and other small gift items. I also brought in items create by other artisans.

Which brings us up to today and where I am going.

I have decided that beginning in May 2025 my primary focus in the shop will be on my Chesapeake Country Photographs. As the other items in the shop sell, they won’t be replaced. Although I may continue offering Simply Earth Essential Oils, and books by local authors, such as Mermaid Tasha.