Hi Everyone,

January felt like a reset button.

We finally moved back into our apartment in late January after a long and very delayed renovation. It felt amazing to walk through the door again. Then we looked around and saw boxes. Everywhere. So we have been living somewhere between “home sweet home” and a “logistics operation.”

In between unpacking, I have been busy post-processing images from Dubai, Doha, Hong Kong, Macau, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. I updated my Dubai and Abu Dhabi travel and photography guides, finished brand-new Photography and Travel Guides for Doha and Macau, and am now working on Hong Kong. I am closing in on 120 guides from around the world. That number honestly surprised me.

I also had the chance to give a Dubai Photography presentation for KelbyOne Community Live, which was a lot of fun. Teaching always sharpens my own eye. I led two photography walks here in Washington DC with new students, and seeing people get excited about photography never gets old.

On the writing side, I finished editing my book and sent it to a few beta readers. That process will take time, but it is moving forward.

I also attended the Walk for Peace at the Lincoln Memorial, and it was one of the most grounding experiences I have had in a long time. The monks walked more than 2,400 miles from Texas to Washington, DC, step by step, through every kind of weather, simply to promote peace and compassion. There was no noise, no politics, just quiet presence and intention. Standing there, watching them arrive after such a long journey, was a powerful reminder that real change often begins with small, steady steps.

We have also been glued to the Olympics, inspired by people who train for years for a few minutes of performance. Meanwhile, Washington DC has been freezing. Snow has been sitting on the roads for more than two weeks, making getting out a bit of a challenge.

But here is what I am reminded of. Seasons change. Renovations end. Snow melts. Work compounds. If you keep showing up, even when it feels slow, things move.

Keep creating. Keep traveling, even if it is just with your camera close to home. And keep building the life you want, one small step at a time.

Spring is coming.

Looking ahead, I am excited about photography adventures in 2026 and continuing to grow, learn, and explore with a camera in hand. Thanks, as always, for following along and being part of this journey.

My Best,

Vito

Photography & Tech Gear I Love

My latest gear and tech recommendations:

I made the Switch to YouTube TV

I switched to YouTube TV, and honestly, I should have done it sooner.

It just works. The interface is clean. I can watch it on any device. The unlimited DVR is a game-changer. I record everything without thinking about storage or conflicts. Sports, news, random shows I may or may not actually watch. It handles it.

There’s no cable box drama. No installation headaches. No mysterious fees that show up three months later.

It feels modern. Flexible. Easy. And way Cheaper than Cable!

And the biggest thing? I don’t think about it anymore. It just does its job.

If you like simple, reliable, and not overcomplicated, YouTube TV is amazing.

What I’m Reading in 2026

My 2026 Reading List

• Reread - The Boy, the mole, the fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackay (A)

• Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

• Theo the Golden

• Phosphorescence: A Memoir of Finding Joy by Julia Baird

• On the Shortness of Life by Seneca

TV/YouTube Videos I Recommend Watching

1. Drops of God Season 2 on Apple TV - It’s beautifully shot.
   The cinematography is elegant and atmospheric. The lighting and close-ups make the wine feel almost cinematic.

2. Photoshop’s NEW Harmonize: Blend ANYTHING in 1-Click! by PixImperfect

3. The Perfect Shot by the Swiss Tourism Board, a 5-part series- Switzerland Tourism- it is about 4 photographers taking on Photography Challenges in Switzerland.

Photo of the Month

What pulls me in first is the girl’s face. The eyes are steady. Curious. Almost questioning. As a photographer, I am always chasing expression, and this mural gives it to me in a way that feels human and intimate. The wall's texture adds grit and realism. It reminds you that this is art rooted in a real place, not floating in a gallery.

I love the composition. The golden circle frames her like a rising sun, naturally guiding your eye to her hands. And those hands, holding a tiny, colorful city, are pure magic. It is both symbolic and literal. Community. Responsibility. Hope. It gives you a clear focal point, but the background figures keep the image complex and layered.

The color palette is bold but controlled. Deep purples and blues create a mood, while the warm tones anchor the frame. As a photographer, that contrast is a gift. You can shoot wide to capture the full narrative, or zoom in and isolate details, the eyes, the miniature buildings, the brush strokes.

And then there are the dogs at the bottom. Small, grounded details that balance the mural's epic scale. They make it feel human.

I love photographing work like this because it is not just visually striking. It says something. It gives you emotion and structure at the same time. That is the sweet spot for any image.

Final Note

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.”” — Bernard M. Baruch

• Subscribe to the Blog

• Follow me on Instagram

• Follow me on Facebook

• My Photography Workshops

• Future Workshops Signup Form

• My Books on Amazon

• My Photography Ebooks

Thanks for reading,

Vito