I remember when I was just getting into photography I would spend all my time at the bookstore browsing through magazines and reading books, or be at home online-surfing through the internet reading photographer’s blogs and websites to try and soak up as much as I could. After I was done, I’d try and tell Sandy what I learned, what I thought about certain compositions, or people’s work. Then I’d pull out the camera and try and get her to pose for me. Everywhere we went I would say to her, “wow I think this would make a great picture,” or “hey look at the lighting, it’s amazing here!”

I also remember back when I used to be an avid motorcyclist, I’d take off early Saturday morning to go riding up Angeles Crest Highway, or down to the beach with my buddies and come home late in the afternoon to a patient - albeit slightly upset - girlfriend. After work I’d come home, eat, and head straight to the garage to tinker with my bike…and didn’t get the hint even when Sandy would come wandering in to say ‘hi’ and see what I was up to. There was even this one time I took off for 4 days and rode up to Monterey’s Laguna Seca racetrack to watch the MotoGP races.

Through all of my antics, interests, and child-like fascinations (you know, the obsessive, think-and-talk-about-it-all-the-time kind of fascination) Sandy has always been supportive and there for me to bounce ideas on, listen, or just blankly stare back at me with the occasional “uh huh” response. She’s always had my back with whatever I wanted to pursue, whether it be the next greatest motorcyclist, photographer, or whatever. I am truly grateful to have found such a wonderful, supportive, and beautiful soul to share life with. And I promise, I will have her back too when she needs me to.

I love this of shot Sandy that was taken when I dragged her along to one of my weddings. I was photographing the guests as they were laughing and enjoying cocktail hour before the reception party. Through the crowd of happy party-goers, I see her big cherry smile and it’s a perfect depiction of how much she’s been there for me.

Tags: support