2012
Just after the New Year, Marlow & Sons, Brooklyn NY
Home in Brooklyn, Winter
Jessica Barensfeld & Simon Howell’s apartment for Freunde von Freunden
“Burst” – UK (March 2012), part of my exhibition series “This Is What Was Once All Yours”
“Camellias, SW1″ – London (March 2012), part of my exhibition series “This Is What Was Once All Yours”
Southern California, April 2012
Echo Park Lemon Tree, April 2012
Home in Brooklyn, Spring 2012
Garrett, Los Angeles, April 2012
Griffith Observatory, LA, April 2012
Los Angeles, April 2012
LA Cabin Living, April 2012
The new Wythe Hotel photographed for Brooklyn Magazine, May 2012
New York City – part of a series of photos for VERITIES magazine in the UK
Christophe, England, March 2012
Clinton Hill in the Spring
Watermelon
Andrew in Brooklyn
Rockaway with Dom
Tent in Angeles National Forest, California – April 2012
The light at home, Brooklyn
Summer storm, Brooklyn
Gemma, Watch Hill RI, Summer
Windowsill still life
Torrey Pines, CA
Joseph Shuldiner’s home, April 2012
Shari, Vermont, July 2012
Vancouver with Old Faithful Shop – April 2012
Vermont, summer nap
Vermont Road
Dying flowers in Kyle’s shop
Isabel Wilson’s apartment for Freunde von Freunden
Turtles at Isabel Wilson’s apartment – for Freunde von Freunden
The ferry to Vinalhaven, Maine – August
Will – Tandem Coffee Roasters, Portland Maine
The ferry to Vinalhaven, Maine – August
Night flora, Vermont
Evening swim with Ryan – Maine, August
Arto Barragan photographed for Baron Wells
Dying flowers, Owls Head Maine
Aaron Ruff’s studio photographed for Brooklyn Magazine
UK, March
London, March
Walking in Los Angeles, April
Arto Barragan photographed for Baron Wells
New personal series: Ennui for synonym journal
New personal series: Ennui for synonym journal
Todd Colby, Brooklyn
J. Morgan Puett’s MoMA installation photographed for the NY Times T Magazine Blog (with Wilder Quarterly)
Owls Head, Maine – August
L.A., October
LA Cabin Living, October
Abstract Black and White, L.A. – October
Lauri Kranz – Edible Gardens L.A. commission
A Cabin in Angeles National Forest, California (October)
Tracy Wilkinson’s LA home (series posted on Freunde von Freunden)
Salt Water Farm Asado photographed for Wilder Quarterly Fall 2012 issue
Salt Water Farm Asado photographed for Wilder Quarterly Fall 2012 issue
Curbs, Los Angeles
Home, November
The light in Michigan, November
Brooklyn sculptures
Editorial – Clinton Hill apartment photographed for Brooklyn Magazine
Tracy Wilkinson’s LA home for Freunde von Freunden
Tracy Wilkinson’s LA home for Freunde von Freunden
Dropped leaves at home in Brooklyn, November
Matthew Ronay’s studio (full shoot coming in 2013!)
A cabin in the Angeles National Forest, California
A Cabin in the Angeles National Forest, California
Daniel Kent photographed outside of his cabin, Angeles National Forest, California
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These are all my own favorite photographs taken during the past year (even narrowing it down to this many was nearly impossible though…)
When I was going back through my archives from 2012 and choosing the photos to include here, I was thinking about all that I have seen and photographed and all of the people I’ve met this year. And unsurprisingly, when I think back on this past year I don’t remember the little struggles or the daily stresses that inevitably pop up as a freelance photographer. And there are many – working for myself as a photographer has been incredibly rewarding and I still can’t believe that this is my job now. But it can also be isolating, difficult, nerve-wracking and stressful – just like any job, I guess.
Instead, what I remember about 2012 are the moments I saw and those that I captured with my cameras. I was so fortunate to travel to lots of different places – some of them new to me, other places that are familiar. I met interesting people along the way and heard their stories and tried to capture something about them — their home, their art, their gardens, their work, their smile, their collections or favorite books, their families.
I think this is really the best part about being a photographer, whether it is paid work or personal work or even cell-phone snaps on Instagram – an opportunity to look closely and to listen, to take the time and really see something. It’s an invitation to seek new things and search out new experiences and to capture the essence of it all through my lens.
And I want to thank you for your support this year – for sharing my work with your colleagues and families and friends, for sending me incredibly kind emails and notes, for buying photo prints and posters, for introducing me to people and new ideas, and for giving me the confidence to pursue photography full-time this year.
I’ve learned so much over the past 12 months, and it has been a huge investment of time (and money…). But man, it is absolutely 100% worth it. Next year, I will need to focus more on paid photography work and commercial jobs, but I will always remain focused on creating photos that mean something to me. And I can’t wait to see what 2013 will bring – new places, new friends, new experiences and ideas, and new ways of seeing the world and distilling my experiences into photographs.
Happy holidays and happy new year. See you in 2013!
Happy holidays Brian! One of my favorite moments this December has been finding homes on our walls for your prints – we love them. Thanks for sharing this little retrospective – you picked some of my personal favorites, too. Hope 2013 brings you so much that is good.
Lovely pictures, all of them. All the best for new year !!
Many of these are my favorite as well. I’m not surprised to find they still conjure up the same emotions and thoughts. I only wish they were all in some book called “Ferry’s Blue Hour – Volume I” …or something like that. I was struck again by your lemon tree photo, as I’ve ever seen one in person. A must do in 2013. Happy New Year, Brian.
Hey Brian. It’s been a while since I left a comment but I just wanted to say that I’m so happy for you. This year must have been truly immense for you and fairly overwhelming at times. You can be sure that all your hard work and perseverance is paying off. I have looked forward to receiving each and every email update for ‘the blue hour’ this year and it really has been such a joy to watch your story unfold, mostly because you tell it so well. What I love the most, is the way you tell it like it really is, always remaining true to your personal style. Sometimes I look at other professional photographers’ work and the immediate reaction that I get is along the lines of ‘that looks false, artificial and far too staged’. However, whether I’m looking at just a few of your photos or considering your portfolio of work as a whole, those thoughts never cross my mind.
Sometimes there is a surprising element that makes me wonder whether I would’ve been able to see things the way you do. Life through your eyes seems to be so beautiful! Ultimately though, the images are always fresh and inspired, with a certain poetic quality. The way you have designed your life and presented it for us to see is inspirational. You have encouraged me to take a step back and put more thought into the way I see things myself.
It is unsurprising that you will be kept busy with plenty of paid and commercial work during this coming year. That was always going to be inevitable. Anyway, it’s wonderful to see that you’ve continually maintained focus on that all important ability to create photos that mean something not just to yourself, but to many of us who have great faith in you. Thank you for sharing. Wishing you all the best in 2013 and hoping you have many more good times to come!
Christine [London]
Thanks for your nice review – I wish you much free time and opportunities for your personal projects in 2013!
Hello. As I’m typing words here, I just realize that on my desk, there’s your Quality Of Life edition book facing me and leaning against the wall. I needed to remind myself of something good even at work. What a great moment to look back; I hope that the new year is going to be exciting with a lot of opportunities for all of us. Pursuing what you enjoy to do as your profession is big inspiration and encouragement to me. Moreover, I really like not only seeing your new works but reading your thoughts here. Happy new year, Brain.
Excuse me, “Brian!”
Nice! Happy new year :)
It is such an inspiration to look upon a year that was so well spent – so full of richness, stories, community. What an intimidating thing it must have been to take the plunge into being a full time photographer – and yet look at how much you have accomplished in just this year! And as you say – and what a good thing to remind myself of when taking risks myself – that in the end, it isn’t the discomfort and stress we remember, but the good things – the things that never would have been possible without the hardships. Here’s to a 2013 as abundant as your 2012 was :)
what a wonderful look back at a very full and beautiful 2012. looking forward to more good times in 2013 and seeing how your photography changes and evolves. here’s to the new year!
What a lovely year you’ve had. So glad to be part of it! Happy New Year!
Hi Brian, Thank you for sharing your work here on WordPress. As an amateur photographer, it has been such an inspiration to witness your first year making a career in photography. Your work is beautiful and resonant for me. I am so glad I found your website! Happy New Year!
Beautiful collection of photos. Have a great new year!
I continue to find inspiration and respite in your work. Thank you for sharing it!
What a superb post Brian, wishing you more and more adventures in 2013 !
Beautiful collection. Happy New Year!!!
This is such a tremendous re-cap of your year. I’m looking forward to seeing what you bring to 2013. Happy New Year, Brian!
thank you for sharing your work always! really enjoy your photographs & observations. happy new year and best wishes for 2013.
Brian, what an amazing collection of images! Blows my mind. Happy New Year!
Such great work, Brian!
What a year mate! Here’s to a fantastic 2013!