Inspired by the feeling of insignificance!
The sensation of being a tiny part of something much greater than myself is not just humbling—it’s inspiring. There’s a profound beauty in feeling small, in recognizing our own insignificance in the vastness of creation. It draws me closer to God, to His creation, and to the intricate ways in which we are all connected. It has guided my journey as an aircraft technician. There’s something humbling about standing beneath the massive wings of an aircraft. The sheer size, the weight, the power that these machines hold—it’s enough to make anyone feel small. It guides my journey now, as I capture life’s most intimate moments through photography. In this feeling of insignificance, I find inspiration. I find a deep connection to something greater than myself, a sense of awe that fuels me. I’m motivated to understand the meaning of life. It pushes us to make a positive impact.
The Majesty of Machinery: Feeling Small in the Presence of Giants
Working on airplanes is an experience like no other and it never fails to leave me in awe. These machines are more than just metal, wires, and engines; they are marvels of human ingenuity, testaments to what we can achieve when we push the boundaries of possibility. These machines, with their massive wingspans and powerful engines, are more than just feats of engineering—they are, in many ways, reflections of the divine. Yet, despite the human hands that build and maintain them, they have a presence that transcends us. Standing next to an aircraft, feeling the cool metal under my fingertips, hearing the echo of my footsteps on the hangar floor, I am reminded of my own smallness in the grand scheme of things.
This feeling of insignificance is not disheartening; rather, it is empowering. It’s a reminder that I am part of something much larger than myself, that my work contributes to the safety and success of something extraordinary. The aircraft I worked on are not just machines—they are vessels of connection, bridging distances, bringing people together, carrying dreams across the skies. In their presence, I am both humbled and inspired, reminded of the beauty of playing a small yet crucial role in the larger tapestry of life. It’s in these moments, working on the intricate electrical systems that allow these machines to function, that I am most acutely aware of the delicate balance between human ingenuity and divine providence. Each wire, each connection, each circuit is a testament to the incredible design that underpins all of creation. And in this, I find a deep sense of purpose and connection to something far greater than myself.
The Power of Perspective: Finding Significance in the Small Moments
This sense of insignificance doesn’t diminish my value; instead, it enhances it. It teaches me to see the world through a different lens, to appreciate the small moments, the details that often go unnoticed. In the vastness of the sky, every bolt, every wire, every tiny component matters. Without them, the whole system could fail. The safety and success of every flight depend on the smallest components being in perfect working order. This understanding has shaped my approach to photography, where I seek to capture the moments that might seem insignificant but are, in fact, the very fabric of our lives.
In both photography and aviation, it's the small things that hold profound significance. The subtle details—a fleeting glance, a gentle smile, the play of light on skin—are where the true story unfolds. My work transcends simply taking pictures; it's about seeing the divine woven into the fabric of our everyday reality. Every moment, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is a reflection of God’s grand design, revealing the beauty and complexity of the human journey. At Pineapple Salsa, this philosophy guides us. We strive to honor the richness of life by celebrating its authenticity, complexity, and imperfections. We create spaces where people feel truly seen and where their unique essence is cherished. We seek to honor the richness of life by celebrating its complexity, authenticity, and imperfection.
Insignificance as a Source of Connection: Bridging the Gap Between People
There’s a profound sense of connection that comes from feeling insignificant. It strips away the ego, reminds us of our shared humanity, and brings us closer together. In the presence of something greater—whether it’s an aircraft, a vast landscape, or the shared experience of life—we are reminded that we are all part of the same journey. When I look up at the sky, whether it’s from the tarmac or through the lens of my camera, I am reminded of the vastness of the universe and the infinite creativity of its Creator. The sky, with its ever-changing colors, its clouds that shift and morph, its stars that twinkle in the night, is a constant reminder of the greatness of God and the smallness of man. This realization has been a guiding principle in my work with Pineapple Salsa, where the goal is to create spaces where people feel truly seen, celebrated, and remembered.
In my photography, I strive to bridge the gap between people, to capture the connections that define our lives. It’s about more than just the individual; it’s about the relationships, the shared experiences, the moments of togetherness that make life meaningful. By celebrating these connections, I aim to demonstrate that, even in our moments of insignificance, we are never truly alone. This smallness is not something to fear or shy away from—it’s something to embrace. It’s in our smallness that we find our true place in the world. It’s in our insignificance that we are reminded of our dependence on God and the importance of our connection to one another. We are part of a larger story, one that is rich with complexity, authenticity, and the beauty of the human journey.
In the hangar, surrounded by the sheer scale of the airplanes, I am reminded of my own limitations and the necessity of teamwork. No one person can maintain an aircraft alone—it requires the coordinated effort of many, each contributing their unique skills and expertise. This is a reflection of the broader human experience, where we are all interconnected, reliant on one another, and ultimately dependent on God’s grace.
In photography, this sense of humility manifests in my approach to capturing the essence of the human journey. It’s about recognizing that no moment is too small, no person too insignificant to be worthy of attention and celebration. It’s about creating a legacy of empowerment, where every individual’s story is honored and every person is seen as a vital part of God’s creation.
The Art of Letting Go: Embracing Imperfection and Authenticity
Embracing insignificance also teaches us the art of letting go. It reminds us that we are not in control of everything, that perfection is an illusion, and that life’s beauty often lies in its imperfections. Faith has always been a cornerstone of my journey, both in aviation and photography. Christian faith has taught me to see the world differently, to appreciate the beauty in the small things, and to find joy in the feeling of insignificance. It’s the foundation upon which I build my work, the light that guides me through life's complexities. In aviation, it means trusting the systems, procedures, and teamwork that ensure safety. In photography, it means embracing the authentic, imperfect moments that reveal the true story of a person’s life.
My work as a photographer is deeply influenced by the Japanese art of Kintsugi, which celebrates the beauty of broken things. Just as gold is used to fill the cracks in broken pottery, highlighting rather than hiding the imperfections, I seek to celebrate the imperfections in the lives of those I photograph. These imperfections, these moments of vulnerability, are what make us human, what connect us to one another, and tell the true story of our journey. In embracing our insignificance, we find the strength to let go of perfection and to honor the authentic beauty that lies within us all.
Inspiration in the Unexpected: Finding Beauty in the Ordinary
There’s a certain magic that comes from finding inspiration in unexpected places. For me, that place has often been the hangar, the cockpit, the tarmac where I’ve spent countless hours working on aircraft. But it’s also in the quiet moments, the spaces between, where the real beauty often lies. It’s in the way the light filters through a window, the way a shadow falls across a face, the way a moment of silence can speak volumes.
This is the essence of Life Celebration Photography—finding the beauty in the ordinary, the significant in the insignificant. It’s about celebrating the moments that might otherwise go unnoticed, about honoring the journey in all its complexity. It’s about seeing the world through a lens that appreciates the small things, that finds joy in the unexpected, that celebrates life in all its messy, beautiful imperfection.
In my photography, I strive to capture these moments, to freeze in time the beauty that so often goes unnoticed. It’s about finding the divine in the everyday, about celebrating the ordinary as extraordinary, about recognizing that every moment is a gift from God. This is the heart of Life Celebration Photography—finding joy in the small things, in the fleeting moments, in the beauty of God’s creation.
There’s a deep and abiding joy that comes from seeing God’s hand in the world around us. Whether it’s in the intricate design of an aircraft, the delicate details of a flower, or the warmth of a smile. The beauty of God’s creation is everywhere. It’s in the moments of silence, the spaces between, where we often find the most profound expressions of His love.
This joy is what inspires me, what drives me to create, what fuels my passion for both aviation and photography. It’s a joy that comes from knowing that I am a small part of something much greater, that my work, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is a reflection of God’s glory. It’s a joy that I hope to share with others through my work, whether it’s in the maintenance of an aircraft or the capture of a life’s journey through the lens of a camera.
A Legacy of Empowerment: Inspiring Others to Embrace Their Own Journey
In my work with Pineapple Salsa, the goal is to build a legacy of empowerment, to inspire others to embrace their own journey, to find significance in their own story. By sharing my own experiences—whether it’s the feeling of insignificance in the presence of an aircraft or the joy of capturing a fleeting moment of connection—I hope to encourage others to see the beauty in their own lives, to celebrate their own journey, to honor their own unique essence.
This legacy is not just about the images I create; it’s about the spaces I create, the connections I foster, the stories I help bring to life. It’s about reminding people that their presence matters, that they are part of something greater, that their story is worth telling. In a world that often feels overwhelming, where it’s easy to feel small and insignificant, I strive to create spaces where people can feel truly seen, celebrated, and remembered.
The Journey Continues: From Aircraft to Art, From Insignificance to Inspiration
My journey from aircraft maintenance to photography has been one of finding inspiration in the feeling of insignificance, of embracing the beauty of the small moments, of celebrating the connections that define our lives. It’s a journey that has taken me from the mechanical to the metaphorical, from the technical to the artistic, from the practical to the poetic.
But at its core, it’s a journey of honoring the human experience, of finding significance in the insignificant, of celebrating the beauty that lies within each of us. Whether I’m standing beneath the wings of an aircraft or behind the lens of a camera, the goal remains the same: to connect with others, to celebrate life in all its complexity, to create a legacy that will endure.
In the end, it’s not about the size of the aircraft or the grandeur of the moment—it’s about the significance we find in the journey, the connections we make along the way, the beauty we discover in the ordinary. It’s about embracing our own insignificance and finding inspiration in the journey that lies before us.
Celebrating Life in All Its Complexity
As I continue on this journey, both as a photographer and as someone who finds inspiration in the feeling of insignificance, I am reminded of the power of perspective, the importance of connection, and the beauty of imperfection. These are the lessons that have shaped my work, that have guided me as I’ve transitioned from aircraft to art, from maintenance to photography.
In the end, it’s the feeling of insignificance that has been one of my greatest sources of inspiration. It’s a feeling that has shaped my journey, from the hangar to the studio, from the maintenance of aircraft to the celebration of life through photography. It’s a feeling that reminds me of my place in the world, of the grandeur of God’s creation, and of the beauty that lies in the small moments.
So here’s to the feeling of insignificance, to the awe and wonder it brings, to the inspiration it provides. Here’s to celebrating life in all its messy, beautiful complexity, and to finding significance in the journey that lies before us.
As I continue on this journey, my hope is to inspire others to see the world through this lens, to find joy in the feeling of insignificance, and to celebrate life in all its fullness. Whether it’s in the maintenance of an aircraft or the capture of a life’s journey through photography, the goal is the same: to honor the richness of the human experience, to recognize the presence of God in every moment, and to celebrate the beauty of His creation.
