Back in 2014, my partner-in-crime, Jan, and I embarked on a passionate endeavor. It was a dream project that we lovingly named "The Great American Coastline." With hearts full of determination and fueled by the power of crowdfunding on Kickstarter, we set out on a mission that was more than just capturing images; it was about weaving stories through what lay before our lenses. The canvas for this adventure stretched from the sun-kissed beaches of San Diego to the rugged beauty of Cape Flattery in Washington. The project was colossal, and if I'm honest, had I known its enormity from the start, I might have hesitated. But hey, life's all about taking the plunge, right? So, plunge we did.

The excitement was palpable as we arrived in San Diego one late afternoon. An eagerness to start our epic adventure as soon as possible drove me to want to start shooting almost immediately. That evening, we found ourselves at Ocean Beach, where serendipity introduced us to an incredible couple. They shared some of their local wisdom and suggestion to start our visual quest at a place fondly known as Sunset Cliffs. Little did we know, their advice would pave the way for a truly remarkable beginning.

Yet, as the night wrapped around me, so did the apprehensions. The dreaded doubts that creep in at 3:00 AM took center stage in my mind. "What if this journey yields no remarkable shots?" "Can I truly fulfill the promises of our Kickstarter campaign?" "Do I possess the skills required for this?" These thoughts played on repeat until dawn finally broke.

However, as I found myself standing on the edge of Sunset Cliffs, something magical happened. In that moment, my worries melted away, and a renewed sense of purpose surged within me. The fear dissipated into the salty breeze, and I was reminded of my true passion. Everywhere I looked, I found a potential story, a frozen fragment of time waiting to be captured. And there they were, the first two images of our voyage, staring back at me from the camera's display. A chuckle escaped me, a laugh at the irony of it all. I was in my element, a witness to the beauty that surrounded me. How could these moments not be extraordinary…how could I possibly fail?

In retrospect, those initial doubts seem like distant echoes in the wind. Each step of our journey brought new tales to tell, new images to capture, and new challenges to conquer. It all began on the edge of Sunset Cliffs, where uncertainty met opportunity, and I'm forever grateful for that chance encounter. It was a reminder that sometimes, the best shots are the ones taken not just with a camera, but with an open heart and a receptive soul.

So, to those who've asked about the stories behind my images, here's one that signifies the start of an incredible odyssey, where passion triumphed over doubt, and the first two frames marked the beginning of an unforgettable chapter.