Ordinary Days, Extraordinary Memories
It’s so easy to get swept up in the allure of epic landscapes and dramatic street photography. Those jaw-dropping mountain vistas or perfectly timed city shots light up our feeds and feel larger than life. But let’s be honest—most of us aren’t standing on the edge of a cliff in the Rockies or wandering the streets of Tokyo every day. Most of my photography opportunities? They’re right here, woven into the routine moments of my daily life.
It’s walking the dog, Pixel, through familiar trails. It’s waiting at the bus stop to pick up my kid or sitting on the sidelines at a baseball game. These are the real moments I get to capture, and over time, I’ve fallen in love with the quiet beauty tucked into these ordinary scenes.
No, these aren’t the kinds of photos that will go viral on Instagram or rack up likes on Glass. But that’s not why I pick up my camera. For me, photography is about expression—showing others how I see the world and, more importantly, preserving a visual diary of who I am right now.
When I scroll back to photos from 2020 or 2021, I see a completely different story than today. Back then, it was our family navigating the pandemic, finding comfort in our home. Before that, it was day trips around Colorado, little escapes into nature. And now, my camera comes with me everywhere—especially with Pixel in our lives. Exploring new places for her to sniff and roam has also given me new places to see and document.
I’ve noticed how much I’ve grown as a photographer too. In the beginning, I could easily take 400 shots and walk away with nothing special. Now, a simple walk might give me 10 or 15 photos I’m genuinely proud of. It’s not about how many photos I take anymore, but the moments I choose to capture. My kid beaming in his new baseball uniform or Pixel chasing after a toy—these fleeting, personal moments mean the world to me.
Even something as simple as photographing my home office tells a story. From not having a dedicated space back in Minnesota to sharing a living room in our first Colorado apartment, then moving to a makeshift office in an unfinished basement, and finally to the setup I have now—I’ve documented each step. Looking back, I smile at those setups because they represent where I was in life at that moment.
And that’s the heart of it. These “mundane” moments—the walks in the woods, the school pick-ups, quiet mornings at my desk—are the ones I know I’ll cherish most. Yes, trips to Hawaii or Alaska are unforgettable, but it’s my kid’s first day of school, the day we brought Pixel home, or finally reuniting with my sister-in-law after four years that truly anchor my memories.
At the end of the day, photography is about joy. Not the fleeting kind that comes from likes and comments, but the deep, lasting joy that bubbles up when I look back at these slices of everyday life. And that’s where I’ve found the most beauty—in the ordinary moments that make up this extraordinary life.