Still Waters, Still Work: Photography Goals for 2026

I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to move forward without forcing clarity.

For 2026, I only set two goals for Hicks Film Studio.

The first is simple: to shoot every roll of film I already have.

Not to save it for the perfect trip, the perfect season, or the perfect version of myself. Just to use it. To let it live its intended life instead of saving it for “someday.” I've done that for too many years! And as one would expect - film doesn’t do much sitting in the fridge year after year. It does though, keep me "shoulding" all over myself! Film is meant to be used, risked, and learned from.

The second goal is to create my first photography collection! Not a highlight reel; but some small body of work that belongs together. "Doesn't have to be perfect" or "Something that will sell" is what I'll be reminding myself nonstop!

These goals feel small on paper. But they ask something harder of me: to let go of fear and judgment.

Fear of wasting film. Fear of not being “good enough yet.” Fear of making work that doesn’t immediately make sense to anyone but me.

Judgment has a way of disguising itself as discernment. It tells you to wait. To refine. To hold back until you’re certain. But waiting isn’t always wisdom. Sometimes it’s just fear wearing better language.

Psalm 23:2 says, “He maketh me lie down in green pastures, He leadeth me beside still waters.”

Still waters aren’t stagnant. They’re calm enough to see clearly.

This season feels like that, an invitation to stop rushing toward outcomes and instead pay attention to what’s already been placed in front of me. Film I already own. Curiosity I already carry. A desire to create something, even if it’s imperfect.

Even if nobody would understand it, like it, or buy it.

Creating slowly doesn’t mean creating timidly. Letting go doesn’t mean losing direction.

It means trusting that showing up, roll by roll, image by image, is enough for now.

This is where I’m beginning.