For me, 2012 has been quite an adventure. The year started in San Francisco and have since found me putting all my stuff in storage (again) and heading out into our big wonderful world. As always, my camera was by my side documenting the journey. So, without further adieu, here are my favorite photos from a year of travel and life.

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January: Fire Across the Street
Haight Ashbury, San Francisco, California, USA

2012 started with a blaze, as the house across the street from mine went up in flames on New Years Day. Half of our block was evacuated in precaution and I found myself quickly having to decide what was “most important” as I threw my life into a duffel bag and put the cat into a carrier: just in case.

A fire on Masonic Avenue in San Francisco on New Years Day, 2012

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February: The Mighty Redwoods @ Rockefeller Grove
Avenue of the Giants, Northern California, USA

The redwood trees of Northern California are among the most spectacular natural sites in the world. Even being surrounded by them on a daily basis doesn’t stop me from appreciating these gentle giants every time I see one.

Avenue of the Giants - Rockefeller Grove – Northern California, USA

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March: Relaxation on the Shore of the Ganges River
Rishikesh, India

My wife Carrie had been studying yoga in Rishikesh since January, so when her course ended in March I hopped on a plane and joined her. A sleepy town on the shores of the Ganges River, Rishikesh is a haven for spiritual travelers of all nationalities.  {- take a photo tour of Rishikesh -}

The city of Rishikesh, India, and the River Ganges as seen from the far side of the Laxman Jula Bridge

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April: Golden Sunrise
Golden Temple, Amritsar, India

While the Taj Mahal gets more press as India’s most beautiful building, the Golden Temple in Amritsar gives it a run for it’s money. This is especially true during sunrise, when the early-morning light makes the temple sparkle.  {- read the whole story here -}

Sunrise over the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, with Sieks sitting by the holy pool

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May: A Silhouette of Love
Taj Mahal, Agra, India

After trying to sneak the remains of my Great Aunt Donnie past Taj Mahal security, I was treated to this majestic view of the sun setting right behind the mausoleum. Had the checkpoint not turned into a ten+ minute ordeal, I never would have gotten this shot. Thanks, Donnie :)   {- read the whole story here -}

I wonder if I would have been able to get this shot of the Taj Mahal if I didn’t get delayed for 10 minutes at security

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June: Christian Escapes the Fire
Baan Pai Riverside, Pai, Thailand

Fire seemed to be a theme in 2012, as Carrie and I found ourselves acting as Thai firefighters at 3am in an effort to save the bungalow village we were staying at. In this shot, Christian is fleeing his burning hut with his favorite sweatshirt. {- read the whole story here -}

Christian escapes across a bamboo bridge after running into his burning bamboo hut to save his favorite sweatshirt

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July: Won’t Someone Please Stop?
Sunday Walking Street Market, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Every Sunday, one of the largest streets in Chiang Mai’s old city becomes a pedestrian-only open-air market. In the middle, between endless rows of shoppers and tourists, beggars and musicians sit in hope that someone will drop a few baht into their laps. During this 30 second exposure, not a single person stopped.

Chiang Mai Walking Street Sunday Market – Two Street Singers Motion Blur

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August: Thai Ganesh Staredown
Phra Thad Doy Wao Pagoda, Mai Sai, Thailand

Ganesh is known as a remover of obstacles and the patron God of travelling; so, you can imagine why he’s my favorite Hindu deity  I especially love encountering Ganesh statues outside of India, like this one I found in  a temple on the Thailand/Burma border.

Look into my eyes… a Thai Ganesh staredown at Phra Thad Doy Wao Pagoda in Mai Sai, Thailand

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September: inSpired Blimp
Cologne, Germany

In September, I was hired by Samsung to present my work as a travel photographer and blogger at Photokina: the world’s largest photo trade fair. When I wasn’t presenting, there was plenty of time to wander the cobblestone streets of Cologne and enjoy a few majestic sunsets: including this one behind the Kolner Dom church. {- read the whole story here -}

Kolner Dom – Cologne Cathedral – at sunset with a blimp

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October: Home Sweet Home
Roosevelt Island, New York City, USA

After Photokina, I returned home to New York City to celebrate my mother‘s birthday and spend some time with friends and family. This view is pretty much exactly what I see from the balcony in my childhood apartment. {- i grew up on a small island in the middle of NYC -}

A Rainy Sunset from Roosevelt Island – Manhattan and the Queensboro Bridge

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November: Thousand Lantern Launch
Yi Ping Festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand 

Carrie and I returned to Chiang Mai just in time for the Yi Ping Lantern Festival: a simultaneous launch of thousands of floating fiery vessels. It’s by far one of the most magical, powerful, and unforgettable experiences of my life. {- read the whole story here -}

Lanterns in motion after the mass release at the Yi Ping Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand

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December: Buddha Sunburst
White Temple, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Chiang Rai’s White Temple is one of the most unique and photogenic Wats in Thailand. With various depictions of hell, detailed murals, and stark white architecture, the Wat is a photographer’s dream. Yet, this simple image of the sun shining from behind Lord Buddha is my favorite photo from my visit.

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Buddha Sunburst at the White Temple – Chiang Rai, Thailand

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Namaste.
Happy New Year.
Thanks so much for your support.