2024 Year in Review of Tourism, Adventure, and Conservation Photography and Videos

"This ain't no hill for a climber."

I’ve come to hold this line from Demon Copperhead close to my heart over the past year. It resonates with me in more ways than one—not just because I’m a climber, but because it’s been a year full of challenges that pushed me to my limits, physically, mentally, and even financially. There were moments when it felt like the obstacles I faced were insurmountable: injuries that slowed me down, financial strains that tested my resolve, and moments of doubt that clouded my focus. But despite it all, I’ve learned that even the toughest hills aren’t as impossible as they seem. In fact, they’re just part of the climb.

Through it all, I’ve kept moving forward, and in the process I’ve managed to create work that I’m truly proud of. This year was far from easy, but it was a reminder that growth often comes from the hardest challenges. To quote an eloquent 14-year old on a documentary shoot, “hard things bring about positive change.”

As I reflect on my photography and video projects from 2024, I realize that each of them—each shot, each frame—was an accomplishment that pushed me to keep climbing. I had around 65 days of shoots, and was on the road for a combined 57 days, capturing content for over 20 clients. Video projects made up 63% while photo shoots made up 31%, with drone operations making up the last 6%.

None of this would be possible without the following partners and non-profits: Kentucky Tourism, I ❤️ New York, the American Youth Foundation, Michigan IceFest, Kentucky Waterways Alliance, The Nature Conservancy of Kentucky, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Nadus Films, PM Advertising, Powell County Tourism, Wolfe County Tourism, Red River Gorge Vacations, Memphis Rox, and VisitLex, just to name a few.

Shoutouts to all my crew and collaborators too: Gary Martin, Eleanor Shelton, Brady Trapnell, Justin Skeens, Jonathan Moore, Hazen Woolson, Amon Focus, Kyle Cahall, Brandon Cooper, Ryan Trenkamp, Tommy Marshall, Josh Van Der Merwe, Hayley Lynch, Kelby Miller, and Laura Gregory.

So with all that said, here's a look back at photos from a year that tested me, but also proved that as a climber, there's always a way to reach the top.