Years End.

2018.

By David Metcalfe

December 31^st, 2018

1:03AM on December 31st and I still don't know what I want to say. Damn.. 2018.

2018 was a lot of things. It felt so familiar and so different all at the same time. I've met so many new friends, challenged myself in different ways, and taken a lot of risks. 2018 was supposed to be a year of change.. And it was - just not in the ways I expected. If you had asked me last year where I'd be by now, I'd say back in school or somewhere that's not Winnipeg. 2018 was a year of testing (and realizing) my limits. A year of potential and exploration. I've gone back to my introverted ways. I'm not afraid to speak my mind still, it just takes me a bit to get there (or a gentle nudge). I'm a full time photographer.. I'm still not used to saying that. I've gotten to work with some amazing people, brands, and clients. I've found that when you feel like giving up is usually the best time to try a bit harder. I learned that two coffees in the same day can give me an anxiety attack. I remembered how important live music is. It was a year of remembering all the great things my city has to offer. I finally figured out what my photography style is. Spoiler alert: it's moody. I like to take pictures of my feet - judge me. I love taking photos of dogs. I need vacations and getaways in my life. I really want people to see the world like I do.

Click anything underlined. Let me know what your favourite image is. Here's my year in review.

January: Ain't It Fun, Sweater Weather, & Bruises.

January was cold. January was a lot of birthdays, pregnancies, and reasons to celebrate. The Instagram algorithm changed and to be honest I stopped caring about it. I didn't take many photos. This month was focused on my personal health. January was a blur and honestly a distant memory. A lot of coffee, and trying to find warmth. I have a good group of people surrounding me. Things went dark for a bit.

February: Filthy, Blackbird Song, & The One Where She Stayed.

February is when things felt like they started to change. I got some good news from a doctor. I picked up a camera again. I went to Atlanta, somewhere I've always wanted to go. I learned when I got back that Exposure is from Atlanta. I got to meet Noelle which was pretty dang cool. I felt homesick. I came back to Festival (which is becoming one of my favourite times of the year). Things started to get weird.

March: Okay Hollywood, Like a Wind, & H.D.L.

March was light. March was curiosity. I felt the need to leave Henry's so I started to look for jobs. Bahamas happened. I went to the conservatory multiple times to soak up the last of it's time here. My attention was stolen for the first time that year. Old friends came back into my life. Louis and Nicole asked me to shoot their surprise-wedding and I said yes.

PS: I also really love my cats.

April: Milk & Honey, She's Casual, & These Days.

April was busy. Skip hired me - I went from a 24 year old kid working part-time right into my career. I was now a full time creative. Ironic if you remember my last year's end post. The Whiteout was amazing - for everyone. The city came alive like I haven't seen in years. The days became a bit warmer. I became a bit warmer. London Fogs turned to iced lattes - bless. Sunset chasing season was now upon us. Green trees and blue skies came back. It started to rain again.

And here's when everything changed.

May: Before You Start Your Day, This is America, & To The Girl Who Works at Starbucks.

I got into spoken word and stationary. I forgot I like to write and make playlists. Evenings and weekends were busy as I remembered how to grind it out. Long weeks didn't feel so long. I started to see things a little differently. I kept quiet on purpose. I rewatched some of my favourite movies. I didn't think I was going to play soccer again this summer but I was glad to give it another go. My head spun.

I went chasing storms. Another new beginning happened.

Probably my favourite photo of the year.

June: I Can't Go On Without You, Work Song, & Everyday.

Something was now different. Bonfires. Jazz. Kaleo was everything I needed it to be. You know it's a long year when you forget the Olympics and the World Cup happened this year. I felt some heartache. Pride was so much fun. We carried a canoe across the city. The Ex is a great place for photos. I forgot how much I love folk music. I experienced purple city. Mariachi Ghost. The inside jokes started.

July: Mess is Mine, The Fool Pt. 1, & Flowers in Your Hair.

July has always been a good month. Canada Day was a great weekend - I needed it. Fringe Festival is the best time of the year. Lots of soccer, fancy cocktails, and small adventures. Late night talks over McDonalds. I had finally taken a billboard photograph. I found rhythm. I missed lake life and highway drives late into the evening. I was distracted again. Tearing part of your hamstring sucks - don't do it.

August: Come Together, ROS, & Glorious.

Birthday month was here. I turned 25. There were a few blurry nights - I started to run. I bought a lot of classic books I had never read. I learned to find peace. I caught a plane to Seattle to visit my brother. I felt like people started to take me seriously in August. It's all about timing. Friends cried and I cried with them. There were a lot of tears shed in August - both good and bad. Coworkers became friends.

September: Natural, There Will Be Time, & Come Down.

Seattle was great. The travel was not. I sprained my ankle, Andrew decided to break his to 1up me. Chicago briefly called my named. I watched the sun set over the ocean, back to the mountains. Goldeyese games are the best. Nuite Blanche was so much better than last year. Foggy weather turned to snow but that was okay because it didn't stick around. Soccer came to a cold and rainy ending.

Nuite Blanche

October: NASA, Fly (Ballad), & We Could Be Friends.

I watched scary tv shows and was thankful on multiple occasions. The best mornings started with lattes. It had been a while since I felt this timid. I reacted with confrontation. I love art shows.. A lot. Instant photos everywhere. Apparently being a robber is a common costume but maybe I just like wearing masks. Spooky season seemed to spark change. String lights, pumpkins, and dog parks.

November: Slow Up, Finish Line, & Galaway Girl.

November was tough but passed quickly. The cold started to get to me. Johnny G's became the place.

December: Midnight, 65th & Ingleside, & Picture You.

I've never loved talking about December.

2019, I look forward to experiencing you in stride. I want to be a better person this year. I want to work harder than ever before. I want to see results. I want to fix things. I want more firsts in life.