More Non Newsy News

Hello friends,

I wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing during this crazy time of upheaval and uncertainty. Are you also running your business in PJs with a toddler running around? Are you still busy as an essential worker? Or have you put everything on hold to squeeze your family tight during this crazy quarantine? However you are weathering these challenging times, I hope you, your colleagues, friends and family are healthy and safe.

If you need help or want to help: I've been using Insight Timer meditation app as a way to relax. And I recommend InsightLA if you need a place to check in with meditation solidarity. Also, if you feel like donating to first responders to help support them during this challenging time here is an option.

I'm assuming you're like me and you've spent the last few weeks over-consuming the news and freaking out about the stories you're hearing. So I've put together a few stories of my own that are all happy and hopeful. Check out the first one below:

Rio de Janeiro has a special place in my heart. I wanted to shoot Brazil as Brazilians prepared for the Olympics, so I spent 6 months there in 2013. Trying to make pictures at one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world is always a challenge because most of the pictures have already been made.

The views from Rio's Corcovado mountain are absolutely stunning. 360 degree views of the whole city from 2,500 feet with shear cliffs on all sides. Lots and lots to photograph but not a lot of difference in what I had already seen before, so how was I going to take a picture that was different?

Luckily I brought the longest lens I had (200mm), then added a doubler and then cropped in to capture this image of two people. I don't know who they are. I don't know if they know each other. But I like to think they do. I like to imagine they're both marveling at the beauty and clean sands of the beach. I like to think that's a balding dad on the beach looking at his son who seems to be really cold. I can hear him thinking, "It's all yours, son. I don't think I'm getting in today."

More non-newsy stories coming soon.

In the meantime, here's a link to a Brazilian bossanova mix if you'd like to keep the vibe going.

Hugs from a distance,

Sam