Call it an active assessment of my post birthday life. Or, call it a full realization of how much, on a larger scale, the unpaid work I do. There comes a time in one’s life in which they suddenly open their eyes and see things for the way things are. For me, that time is now.

One of the hardest things that I’ve come to terms with  is how to be properly compensated for the energy and time exchanged for work.  Turning yet another year older, I’ve made a few new and surprising decisions in my life.

I have a clearer voice for myself, more of a focused desire in what I want to create and a more sound knowledge of what I will and will not stand for in my groups. I enjoy planning events for people and have a job history in the Entertainment field of doing just that.

In short, planning events is nothing new for me. In fact, I thrive in the ideas, implementation and execution of successful events. However, when I see things not adding up regarding certain key leader factors and group aspects, I feel unbalanced in my own planning and participation desire.  Now, only one question remains. What’s next?

For me, the answer is creating and cultivating a new photography group on Meetup.com for my planned events.

The upcoming, end of July Sunset and Potluck Picnic event at El Madator State Beach will be the last that I plan with the LA Hiking and Photography group. My new photography group  project will start in August or September, based on my traveling schedule in Colorado, Washington State, and hopefully Alaska.

It’s time that I fully realize my potential as a photographer and event producer. Planning and executing events gives me a exhilarating charge in my life. Connecting people to new ideas, experiences and and services not only benefits myself – but also the public at large. In focusing on taking things to the next level, I can plan more Hidden LA tours, expand the depth and scope of event production and implement a business model that benefits organizers and participants alike. The final result will be a cultivated group of photographers from all walks of life with common goals: meeting and cultivating friendships, a desire to discover hidden gems in the urban and nature formed world, and a goal to become better photographers.

Now, the sky and my imagination is the limit regarding how to put that mission statement into action.