I have no idea what I am doing. Literally none. I travel often domestically so I am comfortable with packing for that. But this is an interesting trip because not only am I traveling internationally but then I am hiking and taking photos. I've spent the better part of three months running this through my head. Here is what I have come up with.

The hike: I am fortunate that we have a shuttle moving our luggage from hotel to hotel so I don't have to pack like I am backpacking. And I have watched numerous YouTube videos to see what the trail is like, it's pretty tame. It's not like hiking to Lawn Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park which has a HUGE ascent over the distance of the trail. My daughter Alaina and I backpacked that trail many years ago. It was excruciating for me at the time. But I had a 75 pound pack and I was out of shape (uhhh I'm out of shape now too sooooo). Anyway, I had to get a pack that could be used for both my camera gear and day packing. I had a hard time finding a pack that could hold water, go figure right cause water and camera gear does not jive. I ended up getting the Thule Aspect DSLR camera bag and just tucked a water bladder in the sleeve designed for a laptop.

​The next consideration was clothing. I am not a fan of big, clunky hiking boots. They are never as comfortable as they should be. The trail is asphalt and small gravel, no wild river crossings or steep climbs so I kept it simple, some basic athletic shoes and one pair of Merrell Moab hiking shoes. Honestly, I am not as impressed as I should be by these hiking shoes. The sole is very hard, the inserts are paper thin. They are not comfortable for long days. Even after having worn them for a few weeks they just aren't right. But I am taking them anyway. One thing I have learned about my feet, besides that fact that they are not making me much money on OnlyFans, is that mixing it up every day helps.

Clothing seemed pretty straight forward. Breathable, comfortable shirts not made of cotton and some convertible pants that can quickly change to shorts. I imagined myself changing pants to shorts on the trail in another country and violating some sort of local law and ending up in a jail in a small village in Northern Spain. So pants that can be made into shorts fast seemed smart. My guide Matt Shoup www.mattshoup.com/ provided a list with lots of these ideas including compression underwear. This I could not see working for me. Honest talk here - the twig and berries do not like compressed spaces. So I opted for a much more "freeing" set of drawers - the Chill Boys soft bamboo boxers. They are cool, loose and comfortable, breathable and they tell responding paramedics "This guy put some thought into his jockeys" or something like that. 

The nights: I am one of those guys who has to wear a CPAP mask at night. I think there is a direct correlation to when we stopped making crotch goblins and me donning a sexy mask every night.... but I digress. The CPAP takes a lot of space in your luggage. Yes I can carry it separate as a "medical device" on the plane but I am already carrying my camera bag, a laptop, and a copy of "Oh the Places You Will Go" - the coloring book version. And to use any electronic device in Europe you gotta use a convertor. I thought I would take two but then I thought why not bring a small powerstrip and then I only need one convertor. I also will need to charge camera batteries and hopefully upload images and blogs to social media. I also sleep better with some white noise. I can't bring a fan so I am going to use a headband with headphones inside (Thanks Alaina). 

Camera gear: I plan on taking photos while hiking and also want to grab some cool images at night. I am hoping one of our coordinators in Spain can maybe help arrange for a portrait session, maybe a woman and man flamenco dancing in the streets at night? Either way I am bringing two Flashpoint ad200 lights, one MagMod "boob". gels, a 12" Westcott octa modifier and an expandable handheld light pole. My fellow photog/videographer Brian Edman is going and we have agreed to help each other by acting as human light stands etc. I think the architecture will be outstanding as well and I am looking forward to shooting some of amazing history. Mostly I am looking forward to capturing what I think will be a life changing experience for the men on this journey. 

Thanks for reading, I will be leaving at 6am for Spain, see you on the other side of the pond!
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The Camino de Santiago. A bucket list for many, this hike in Northern Spain captivates people for many reasons. Some go for religious purpose, some for self improvement, many for an opportunity to gain some self introspection or even change their perception of life.  For me, it was an accident, maybe.

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A happy accident really. My good friend Matt Shoup contacted me to tell me about his Hike of a Lifetime and to ask if I wanted to photograph this journey. He is taking a group of entrepreneurs and professionals to learn about leadership, offering challenges to unplug and disconnect to re-connect. So it would seem like an easy answer right? Get paid to hike across northern Spain? But I had to pause before I answered. I'm not young, physically, anymore. I know my body's limitations and I know my strengths and weaknesses. So it was a decision that took some consideration and thoughtfulness. I think this was the first part of my introspective journey. Knowing I had some work to do, I answered yes. Then came the hard part. I had to prioritize my decisions. Changing the way you view yourself in the mirror is just part of it, but for me was the hardest. When I looked in the mirror I saw an old, fat, bald guy who once hiked mountains and rivers for big fish and cool rocks. Now I spend most of my time at a desk so I had to start seeing myself as something different. I had to see myself hiking the trail and enjoying every minute. Then came the visit to my family doctor, Doctor O. Time for some real talk. Just thinking about a goal gets you no where. It takes decisions, sometimes hard ones, and it takes real talk. Constantly the supporter, Dr. O identified my strengths, and my weaknesses, and ALWAYS supported my goal and championed my successes. It is not a shock that he is one of my favorite people, always honest and always on your side. Watch my video below about looking forward and not back.

Next was trying to figure out what I needed to do this trip. I have to carry not only my supplies for the day (food, water, clothing options) but also my camera gear. I have a habit of over packing. This is not an option. What will be my go to lens? Do I bring one, two, all??? What else do I need? I know I will be posting pictures, downloading from CF express cards, uploading to the web, this all requires a lot of electronic stuff. Laptops, chargers, batteries - all take space and weight. And, I can't forget, I want to take some shots for me. Landscapes at night, portraits with lighting, now we are adding tripods, lights, modifiers - omg this is getting complex, and heavy. Follow along as I plan a future post titled "What I packed and why".

So, follow along as I hike the Camino, I will try to add value to your day through inspiration and first hand experiences from a photogs first trip to Europe!

2022 has been an incredible year! I am so thankful for my clients, friends and family that have supported me and my love of photography. It is an honor to serve you. 

Find my latest post in Facebook or Instagram about my 2022 NOCO Style Winner - BEST Photographer in NOCO and comment, like and share are you will be entered to win a free photo shoot and a 16 x 20 print. The winner will be announced on December 15th. 

​Fall is magical and it is time to schedule your fall photos with the stunning background Colorado offers.  October 21st and October 22nd ONLY! Bring your family, friends, pets, partner to enjoy some beautiful fall leaves along the Poudre River in Fort Collins.  This 20 minute session with professional lighting and a fun atmosphere will set the stage for the pumpkin spice season :) You will receive five edited digital images, a print credit of $20, and you will have your own personal online gallery where you can order prints, canvases, wall art, albums, you name it.  $199 gets you the session, the digitals, the print credit AND a 10% discount on select prints and packages.

• ​20 minute sessions
• 5 digitals
• 10% discount on select prints & packages. 

$199 due at the time of booking. Hurry before I am full!

4 tips to stop the steal of your gear
We’ve all heard horrible traumatic tales of stolen equipment but how many folks have ever thought it would actually happen to them?  After countless hours of researching camera equipment, saving for weeks and months and then waiting patiently for your package to arrive from Amazon, you finally receive the fruits of your efforts.  It’s gonna make me millions!  I’m a PRO now!
You can’t wait to get out and shoot, counting the minutes until you can steal away from your partner, family or job.  “I’m doing it, I have the time, I have the equipment, I have the perfect setting - it’s REALLY going to happen”.  And then your worst fear, your gear is gone in a flash.  How can this be?  What did I do wrong???
After 24 years in law enforcement I’ve seen this happen so many times I’ve lost count. So many broken hearts and dashed dreams - most of which could have been prevented.  As a part time photographer I’ve been one of those who has invested thousands in my gear.  I can speak from experience and if my equipment is not in my physical control I get the heebie-jeebies, as should you.

1.  Trust no one
This is really hard to hear.  And no, I’m not a jaded cop, but over years of experience I’ve lost a little faith in the human race.  The truth is, there are lots of humans in the world who just don’t have your best interest at heart.  They don’t care that you spent thousands, they don’t care that the window on your car is shattered, they don’t care you’ve worked hard and spent countless hours researching equipment.  They only care about themselves. When it comes right down to it, trust no one and DON’T assume everyone has the same moral compass you do.

2.  If it is visible, it’s available
Cops get reports all the time that someone’s high end, expensive widget was on the back seat or floorboard of the car. Car windows are designed to be transparent. It’s a pain in the arse to move stuff to the trunk, or take it home before you go shopping at the next store.  NEVER leave anything more valuable than a used Kleenex in your ride.  As a law enforcement officer I’ve  seen $200 windows broken for a quarter, literally 25 cents.  As a photographer you may never have personally experienced extreme poverty or addiction.  Those that have, may be desperate and unfortunately may do anything to change their situation. Don’t be an enabler.  Hide your stuff.  Even the smallest items can be seen as valuable.  Don’t leave an empty cardboard box!  Don’t leave a plastic bag with trash in it!  Don’t leave a coat wadded up on the floorboard! The perpetrator should see seats, carpet and a steering wheel -  and that’s it.

3.  Never tell yourself “I’ll be gone just a second”
We’ve all done it.  “Oh, I’ll just be a sec honey”.  That is ALL IT TAKES.  I’ve watched countless surveillance videos of purses being stolen from a shopping cart in the blink of an eye.  The thieves are gone in a New York second!  There’s no locking down a perimeter to search for the a bad guy calmly walking through the chicken aisle deciding what nuggets they want for dinner.  They're history.  So whats a person to do?  Don’t take shortcuts.  This happens often when someone is too lazy to pack up their gear, sling it over their shoulder and step away for a minute to grab a Snickers.  Take your stuff with you.  If it is not in your physical control consider it gone.  As photographers we respect each other’s gear.  In the real world opportunity can be a huge motivator for thieves.  Don’t let a split second of forgetfulness result in an exasperating conversation with your insurance agent.  Oh, you all DO have insurance right?

4.  Know your surroundings
Have you ever stopped in a public place, sat down and watched people?  Humans can be extremely interesting and often very predictable.  If you become aware of someone’s presence and suddenly the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, then you’ve  just utilized one of the primal warning indicators that humans have.  Act on it.  Every time.  Gavin De Becker says it best in his book The Gift of Fear

“What many others want to dismiss as coincidence or a gut feeling is in fact a cognitive process, faster than we recognize and far different from the step-by-step thinking we rely on so willingly. We think conscious thought is somehow better, when in fact, intuition is soaring flight compared to the plodding of logic. Nature’s greatest accomplishment, the human brain, is never more efficient or invested than when its host is at risk. Then, intuition is catapulted to a different level. It is knowing without knowing why.”

An instinctual feeling tells you “Something is wrong, be careful”.  Don’t think “I’m being silly”.  You’re being smart and using that primal sense, the sixth sense, that says fight or flight.   Look around, watch people, and watch who is watching you.  Know where the nearest exit is, and identify places with a lot of people nearby. If it’s scary, ask yourself “Why the hell am I here”?

BONUS - Don’t be gullible
This is a bonus tip from Uncle Bob the cop.  If it’s too good to be true it might not be.  This is particularly important to anyone who buys and sells on Facebook Marketplace / Craigs List etc etc.  NEVER give anyone any information online as in social security numbers, credit card numbers, address, phone number, your favorite color or restaurant - just don’t do it.  If you do buy from an online source verify information numerous times.  When you do make a purchase on social media, plan on meeting in a safe place for the transfer.  Many local police departments offer an Exchange Zone in the police department parking lot, monitored by cameras.  Take a friend.  Carry ONLY the specific amount of cash needed for the transfer.  Better yet, use Venmo or PayPal as soon as you decide to buy and that way no cash has to exchange hands. 

For all my photographer friends - I’d prefer meeting while I’m not in uniform and you’re not in tears after being ripped off.  I’d prefer to visit over a cold beverage while I admire your recent photos and equipment. 
​
Bob Younger is a current law enforcement officer in Northern Colorado and a part time/full time photographer at Bob Younger Images.

There is nothing worse than a photo that looks forced - think of children school photos. I will help you to relax so we get a natural and beautiful headshot.

Lighting a headshot is key and is where I excel. The angle, the lighting, the flash all make or break a headshot.