Thursday, December 13, 2012

A Book In The Making...

Hello Everyone!!!

It's been quite some time since I've contributed to the blog, and for good reason... My life has been a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, to say the least. With the recent passing of my father, I've had to put things in perspective. But I am healing through the grieving process and felt it was time to do some more writing.

You see, I try to remember my roots and stay grounded, when writing and reflecting on all the memorable moments I've had: good or bad. And this blog is, in fact a story of my life (in a way).

That being said, I really have been considering writing a book about my life experiences up to this point. It's been an interesting and sometimes fascinating story and why not share it with others?

Looking back, is a way to find acceptance and take a look at growth. And when I look at all the thousands of photos I've made, it reminds me just how fascinating it would be to share those experiences in some kind of readable format.

I haven't decided how to start or finish the book because it is still a work in progress- obviously. But I'm getting closer to finding the truth, and have been doing alot of soul searching for the past decade or so.

Through my photographic experiences and journaling, meditation, tons of contemplation, and the lessons I've learned about self-efficacy/self-worth- I feel as if I've already taken the preliminary steps needed to produce something worth reading, for others.

So, the plan is this: Sooner than later, I'll begin an outline which will guide me through the writing process, and search my ever-growing photographic archive for meaningful & relative images to accompany the words. I have no deadlines, so I can't say when it will be finished. But I can say it will be chock full of original content, packed with emotion, and a good read for many.

Here are some (not all) of the images which lend to that story I plan on telling... "The story of my life." Don't know which, if any will make the final cut, but at least I have a basis. I'll need to dig up some old negatives to scan and meet with my mother to get some of my favorite family photos.

I hope the book will end up in the hands of people who can relate and reflect to it. Because my end goal would be to leave a legacy. Like the one my father left me. Anyway, here is a glimpse inside my life up to now:
 
 
The Berkson's - Miami, Florida, 1979...
 
 
Mom & Dad - 1999...
 
 
Self Portrait- When I started to find my creative side...
 
 
Not just in photography...
 
 
But mostly...
 
 
I knew I loved traveling and adventure...
 
 
So I explored the possibilities of art as 'not just a hobby'...
 
 
And being a humble person, I had no idea I would receive this kind of attention...
 
 
So I pulled out all the stops, & went back to school to learn more about the thing I loved most...
 
 
Photography- A timeless way to document my life experiences and the lives of others...
 
 
And there were SO MANY LESSONS to learn, in such a short time...
 
 
It was a crash course in finding my own style, lighting cubes (ratios), making things shine, making people look their best, preparing a business plan, learning how to network, learning the history, getting thrown to the wolves, and making the shot count more than ever before...
 
 
I really had to buckle down and take it serious, because I wasn't going to get a second chance- and it was expensive!!!
 
 
So I took every opportunity to excel and absorb all the lessons of this wonderful education...
 
 
And I found myself being more creative- even though the difficult assignments stifled it at times...
 
 
I rose to the occasion- and for once in my life I had real self-worth...
 
 
No matter where my personal life was taking me, I knew I HAD TO SUCCEED...
 
 
There were storms...
 
 
And there were happy times...
 
 
There was disgust...
 
 
And there were smiles...
 
 
There were defining moments...
 
 
And famous moments (for friends)...
 
 
I realized people needed me- Especially people in my family (Dad turning 70)...
 
 
I felt like I was 'a part of something bigger than myself'...
 
 
And although my experiences weren't always great- I reminded myself that they could always be worse... 
 
 
My Grandmother (God bless her soul!), helped me through some very trying times...
 
 
And she was SO PROUD OF ME, when I walked on that stage to get my degree...
 
 
My Mom was too!!!
 
 
I knew what I wanted to do with my life, and NOTHING was going to get in my way...
 
 
All the signs were there- I just had to look for them...
 
 
I was through playing around and finally took control of my life...
 
 
So I began swimming towards a dream, trying not to get swallowed by heartache...
 
 
I knew it was going to be a long journey, before I could find my success...
 
 
And I had to leave the past behind me, in order to begin that journey...
 
 
You see we are 'driven' by love...
 
 
And when it is present in our lives, we have a sense of belonging...

 
 
It inspires us and leads us...
 

It gives us more purpose...


It makes the world seem to stop spinning so fast...


Love makes us stop and smell the roses...


We get inspired by each other and want to do more things together (New camera/gear)...


We embrace our successes together...


And plans are made for the future...


We solidify our bonds with age old traditions...


You see... Love is all there is and all there ever needs to be (R.I.P. Dad)...


And with love there is a shift that occurs, there is loss, and there is sometimes pain...


But we keep going. Because that is our survival mechanism. We embrace those great memories, many times with a photograph. My main point is this: We should always love ourselves first, love what remains, and be grateful for our lives everyday...


We shouldn't ever go against the current of our emotions, or take for granted the love we share inside...


With each full moon as a reminder for our existence, both spiritual and physical...


And with the passage of time and space...


We can look up and feel more comfortable in our own skin...


We can live each waking hour, with hope for better things to come...


We can create together, something worthwhile and meaningful...


We can 'frame' our next move(s) with confidence, precision, and finesse...

 

And we can take flight, because the most most important thing we should remember is this...



.........................................................THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!


So there you have it... I would like to thank you for reading this post and hope you will be inspired to live your own life, to the best of your abilities... And remember the meaning of LOVE. Until my next blog post or the eventual release of the book I am planning, I hope you will stay in touch with me. And continue to inspire me just the same. There are some really creative things going on out there. And I am grateful I have lived to see them all. Can't wait to see and experience more.

Thanks for your continuing support and friendships.

Yours Truly,
Jeremy Berkson

www.photographybyjeremyberkson.com