55. WHAT COMES NEXT . . .

IN HIGH SCHOOL and college, theater was a massive part of my life. Anytime I acted in or directed a production, it would become the focus of my life. In the shower, before falling asleep, in between classes, and during boring classes, I was ruminating on the show. I would work my ass off in preparation. Then the show would come and it would be exhilarating. Months of work would culminate in three or five amazing performances; then suddenly it was over. The routine disappeared. Overnight I would go from living and breathing this one thing, to having an uncomfortable amount of free time. Enter the off-putting depression of the post-show letdown. Now, as an adult, I’ve traded theater for travel, and the post-trip letdown continues.

You pour yourself into planning a journey. You build it up. You get excited. You organize, you book, you pack. The day comes and you go on this amazing adventure. Inevitably, it flies by. You return home exhausted but rewarded for your efforts. You edit, you write, you share, you (hopefully) recapture the magic of the journey. Then it’s over and a void appears.

First, this is totally normal. It doesn’t matter how long you were traveling or how far away you went; organizing the trip was a big part of your life for a while. You got to escape the day-to-day mind-numbing minutiae for a while. You’re gonna feel a little down once it’s over. Fret not—there is a cure.

Lather, Rinse, Repeat

Rejoice, for it is time to plan another adventure! Remember back in chapter 2 when we were happily planning a journey? Time to go back and start the process again. Look back on your photos from this most recent trip. What worked? What didn’t? What are you proud of? What do you want to improve? Reflect on the experiences you had, the things you enjoyed about your trip, and the things you would change if you could.

Now, when it’s all fresh, is the time to start setting up your next trip. Maybe you won’t be able to physically travel for a while (damn the man and his limited vacation day allowances), but you can dream and plan and get excited (Figure 55.1)!

Review the photographic goals you set for yourself. Did you achieve them? Are you still frustrated by a specific style or principle? Watch tutorials online. Talk to other photographers. Focus on educating yourself so you can really nail it the next time around. If you did achieve your goals, then set higher goals. Plan to take things further. Consider using more elaborate gear, or setting up more complicated shoots for yourself. Onward and upward!

Maybe rather than planning a visit to somewhere brand-new, you’d prefer to explore your last destination in more depth. As the photographer who’s been to the British Virgin Islands ten times, I wholly support that. Reconnect with all the people you met during your trip and get recommendations. Share your photos with them. Solidify your new friendships. Make plans to reunite and explore together.

The key is remembering that you will benefit photographically from any trip you take, whether it’s to some place brand-new or to a place you know inside and out. Every photograph you take, and every day you spend in a location that is far from home, will give you opportunities to see new things, experience new perspectives, and capture new moments. You have the rest of your life ahead of you. Go forth, have fun, and create.

55.1 San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
ISO 1600; 1/125 sec.; f/18; 300mm