A road trip up the PCH with Kacie Marie (Patreon)

I can't think of any better way to start off August and send you all a thank you for your continued support than to show you one of the projects Patreon has made possible.  Before Patreon I couldn't have dreamed of doing a trip with Kacie where we didn't have to worry about stopping in numerous cities to book work to get the money for gas to hit the next city.  I couldn't take my time and meander up the 1 shooting along the way and figuring out our schedule on the fly.  

Its these types of projects I owe to all of you, and while I thought for a long time that stress and depression was creative fuel for artists having the constant financial worry removed from my life has freed up my mind to really focus on creation in a way I couldn't before. Kacie and I last minute planned this trip while I was in Tokyo.  Nicole had to leave from San Fransisco for work, so Kacie flew into San Fransisco and I took her to some of my favorite spots along the west coast:  The Redwood Forest, Black Sand Beaches on the Lost Coast, Bandon, Samual Boardman State Park,  and Panther Creek.

Traveling with a new person is always a little scary, but Kacie and I got along great, and created some really amazing images.  Properly fed and coffee'd we spent our days exploring the astonishing nature of California and Oregon, and our nights hanging out around camp fires.  It was amazing creative fuel with inspiring talks that kept us geared up to shoot.Along the way we met up a few times with my best friend Steven Clouse, who camped with us a couple of nights. 

One of the most important parts of being an artist I think is surrounding yourself with good people that keep you inspired.  Kacie and Steven are definitely two of those people for me.  Steven and I have a friendly landscape competition when we travel together to see who can take the best photo.  If I didn't have these amazing people in my life I don't know if I would be able to keep going.

All of these photos were shot with either my 50mm F1.4 or my 17-40mm F4 lens.

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