what’s in a name?

I've been taking pictures since I was a little kid, using disposable film cameras on school field trips, but it's been only within the last few years that I've become more of a photographer looking for a deeper meaning into the places I photograph.

If I would have created this website when I was younger I probably would have named it something silly like Bugs Bunny Photo Center only to regret my choice later down the road. Fortunately, I am now older, smarter (i think), and wise enough (with more wisdom to gain) to know that naming the website for my photography holds enormous weight.

After reflecting on my journey in life so far, it became quite easy on what to name this website and business. 7521 may seem like a random sequence of numbers to you but for me, it was a set of numbers that I saw every day when I got off the school bus. It was a set of white painted numbers on a black box that I would open every day to pull out the mail. It is a set of numbers that remind me of where I come from.

Growing up on a farm taught me a few things: do your work right the first time, we are at the mercy of Mother Nature, and always have an appreciation for the land. That wisdom is definitely compatible with photography. Put in the work before visiting a location. Your time is valuable. Mother Nature dictates what kind of shots are taken and the mood that is evoked. The land in this world is finite; every part of it is precious. A photographer should treat it with respect and dignity.

7521 also reminds me of the stories, places, and experiences that every person has to contribute to planning and design efforts. It is a reminder to approach every person with an open mind and an openness to learn about their story. To humanize each other is to go beyond the heated rhetoric and realize we are all working together to make our communities better places to live.