The year 2021 gone by.

2021. A year marked by dreams and disappointments. New and old challenges. The year didn’t turn out as I had hoped. As I had visualized it would. But that’s life. It can take some unexpected turns at times, and if we are not on board when it happens, we get thrown off. That’s what happened to me I guess.

I started the year off doing lots of photo jobs. I felt like I kind of broke into product photography. I got send tons of products to photograph, and it felt good. I felt like it was the start of something. I photographed a wedding for the first time, and though it’s not something I would do as a living, it was great to try it out.

As the world continued to be affected by Covid, I wasn’t able to do that many trips. I still had big plans though. Plans that I hoped would change my life. The idea was to quit my job, buy a one way ticket and try to make it as a photographer. It was my dream, and I had to pursue it. And I did. I bought the ticket and ventured out into the world. I photographed the Dolomites, Madeira and Turkey, and was able to stay for free almost everywhere in return for my photos. However something happened along the way, and I’m not completely sure what changed. I guess I lost my spark. It started to feel too much like working, and not traveling, as I was constantly worrying about the photos I had to deliver.

My departure from Madeira, was one of the worst experiences I have had. Myself and a friend arrived in the airport super early, in order to board our flight to Lisbon. As the personal finally arrived, they told us we were not allowed to board the flight due to a strike in the airport in Lisbon. Only people with Lisbon as their final destination were allowed to board the flight. I was extremely frustrated. We were told to scan a QR code, and follow the steps, in order to apply for a refund. Obviously the site crashed, and though I got a written statement from the airport personnel I’m still fighting flybillet.dk in order to get my money back. One thing is for sure, I will never use that site again. They also still owe me money from my flight ticket to Pakistan, which was cancelled by the airline a few days before my departure from Madeira.

In itself, Madeira wasn’t the best experience. We were extremely unfortunate with the weather, and therefor couldn’t take any of the photos we had hoped, before our arrival. I’m sure I would have a different experience, if I went back some time, but to be honest, I would rather revisit new places or the places I have already fallen in love with.

It was those things, along with more personal things, that made me decide to go back to Denmark. Back then, I didn’t feel like I would have any regrets. Now it’s a different story though, but I guess, I can always give it a new try.

After leaving Turkey I went back home shortly, before going on assignment with Visit Karakol, in Kyrgyzstan. It was one of the best travel and photography experiences I had had in a long time, and it brought me back, some of my spark. I made friends, visited incredible places and had delicious food. It was exactly what I needed at exactly the right time.

When I left Kyrgyzstan I only had a few days back in Denmark, before leaving for Iceland where I was doing an assingment with Lava Car Rental.
I finally got to visit the highlands on my own, and flying my drone here was absolutely incredible. Iceland in itself is always magical, and even though I have now visited four times, I still want to go back and explore even more.

Iceland was my last trip of the year. And as I said, at the moment it felt like the right decision, however looking back, I wish I had been a bit more patient. None of the places I had hoped to visit were open for tourism, however as I write this, things have already changed.

I’m sure I will give it another shot again. Sooner rather than later. I will always tell people to pursue their dreams, no matter how distant they seem. Personally, I have to do the same thing.

So what’s next in 2022? I will start my year in the most beautiful surroundings possible. In India. I can’t believe I’m finally going back, to this magical country. I’m so excited to start venturing into the unknown, and creating once again. And though it’s just for a month, I’m so excited it’s finally happening.
In September/October, I will have what is probably the biggest opportunity of my life, in regard to photography. I will be running two photography tours in India, In Leh Ladakh and Kerala, with Travelhey.in and I’m extremely excited.

In between January and September, I don’t know. A lot can happen, and even though I have been knocked down once, I still have the same dreams.