Goin' back to Cali. For good.

After almost exactly eight years, I've decided to leave Seattle and return to California. Specifically Los Angeles. The reasons are really quite simple.

I've been doing a lot of work in California over the past few years and began to feel the pangs of homesickness. When I first moved to Seattle in 2000, it was quite a departure from the laid back San Diego I left. I came here looking for creative inspiration and I got that—in spades. But time goes by and people (me) and cities (Seattle) change. Seattle feels very different lately and I had begun looking forward to my trips to California more and more. And yes... I miss the sun. And the beach. The real beach with waves and crafty seagulls that steal your food and screw with your stuff when you're not paying attention.

Another reason is purely professional. Last year was my best year ever—financially and creatively. I'm hungrier than ever and simply want to put myself in a market where I don't feel like I have one hand tied behind my back. I hope to land more editorial and advertising work in LA. And the simple truth is there is more of that there than here. Many shooters have chosen to stay here and have made a wonderful career for themselves. Bravo to them. Really. It's a HUGE accomplishment. I'm just not cut out for that kind of fight. And so I go.

And lastly, say what you will hardcore Seattleites, but In-And-Out Burger beats Dick's Burgers by a large margin.

So, the final drive down I-5 will take place in May. We hope to be settled by June. I plan on continuing to work with all my wonderful clients here in Seattle as long as they'll have me. Alaska Airlines has hourly flights from LAX, Glazer's rentals has all the gear I might need and the three hour flight is almost as long as driving to the city from the East side at rush hour anyway, right?

Now I just have to get used to saying "Governor Schwarzenegger."

Thanks for the memories Seattle.