What do you want to be when you grow up? When I was little, there was only one answer: Paleontologist. I have done several things over my adult life; accountant, analyst, engineer, but never paleontologist. So now what? Now, mostly I’m a photographer and a glorified trash collector. I’m fairly sure I will never go back to a typical 9-5 job if I can help it. While I have liked my past careers, I have never loved them. The saying of, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life,” is incredibly true, but doesn’t exactly come with a manual. Aside from taking landscape photos what else do I love? Food and being on the water making a difference. Although, I haven’t figured out a way to incorporate stuffing my face into a living, I have finally come up with a few ideas on what to do with my “garbage collecting” and photos. And here’s whats in it for you. I’m currently putting together a book of all my favorite places I’ve visited in Florida, taken photos of and left the coastline better than I’ve found them. What good does this book do? Part of the profits go back into coastal cleanup and local animal rehab centers.

While I’m stoked about the book, I still have so much stuff I’ve collected out of the mangroves just laying around. Yes, they serve as great Christmas ornaments, (if you remember my tree) but I can certainly do more with them. So in the next few weeks I will take the lures that are still in good condition, replacing the hooks and reselling them. That’s only a small portion so what about the rest?

          Other lures will be integrated into various pieces of artwork, shadow boxes and fixtures. Now these lures will no longer just be discarded trash found in trees getting caught on birds or turtles, but a way to help preserve the environment. I can’t wait to keep everyone posted with next steps!

Special thanks to flying fish for providing the perfect vehicle to gather all my supplies.

And… Happy National Margarita day!