The Story So Far
Every life is a collection of moments, places, and people that quietly shape who we become. This is a small glimpse into mine—where I've been, what I value, and the work that continues to inspire me every day.
"Red" is what they called me growing up— the little kid with red hair and green eyes who spread joy to everyone he came in contact with. Like every child, I carried a sense of creative curiosity that constantly pushed me to wonder, explore, and discover the depths of what this world has to offer.
As I grew older, I continued to seek adventure however I could, never wanting to lose the inner child that once saw endless possibilities in everything around me. Nowadays, that can feel like a challenge. With the weight of rising living costs, stressful work environments, and the constant feeling that there isn't enough time to pursue the life we dream of, it's easy to lose sight of what makes us feel alive.
I can admit that I have fallen into this cycle myself. There have been moments where the inner child I once carried felt like it was slowly fading into the background. But through every adventure, every new experience, and every moment spent exploring, I’ve found that these are the things that bring me back to life.
I’ve always been drawn to the way a camera can simply capture a moment in time—a story or feeling that you can return to with the slightest glimpse of a photograph.
I recently picked up a film camera again (a simple Fuji point-and-shoot), and it reminded me of the warm, nostalgic feeling you get when those photos are finally developed. It’s something I’ve been missing with digital photography. While you can take as many photos as you’d like digitally, film gives you this deeper sense of connection—the feeling of holding an image in your hands and thinking, “I remember that day.”
I can proudly say this film camera has been one of my best purchases of 2026.
Is it cliché to say that I gain the most from life with a camera in hand and a road leading me toward where the mountains touch the clouds? Because if so, then I’m as cliché as they come.
I’ve always loved the outdoors, growing up constantly playing outside with my brother until the crickets started chirping. It wasn’t until my first trip to Colorado that everything changed for me. Driving through what felt like another world entirely, I saw what true beauty looked like as I gazed upon snow-capped mountains for the first time.
It felt as if my entire perspective shifted, like my mind finally understood what it had been missing. Not a day goes by where I don’t think about the mountains or wish I could experience the scent of crisp fall leaves that every candle tries to recreate.
I would recommend experiencing Colorado to anyone—not in the sense of simply glamping or sightseeing, but in a way that allows you to truly connect with nature. Go camping deep in the mountains, listen to the wildlife around you, and take a moment to admire the night sky away from all the noise.
It’s only then that you truly understand why people say, “the mountains are calling.” It’s a place where you reconnect with yourself, where you find a feeling you continue to search for long after you leave.
Pikes Peak March 2025
Just like that, those are the two most influential parts of my life. While there is still so much more to explore, experience, and create, these are the things that bring me the most joy.
So, if you love adventure, yearn for that nostalgic feeling, or are searching for a space where you can see what it looks like to embrace your most authentic self, welcome aboard.
I hope you stay awhile and enjoy this simple little life that I’m living—the moments I capture, the places I explore, and the stories that continue to unfold.
Sincerely,
Michael Koziol
“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”
-Confucius
