A Year in Review: Last Year Resolutions
In 2025, I made a list of resolutions regarding my photography, in which I included some of the things I intended to take as goals for the year. In some cases, there were things that became more difficult than I had envisioned, while others were just not possible due to conflicts with other things that came about.
The talented model Monika Gierula posing for a snow photo—Vivian Maier style—at Stratton Brook State Park in Simsbury, CT.|Credit: Reynaldo Cruz Diaz
However, I can say that I am pretty satisfied with what I did, mainly because things that were not initially included in my plans popped up and I had the opportunity to take part in them. Despite not having completely fulfilled all the initial resolutions, they were compensated by the opportunities that arose.
What I Didn’t Get to Do
First, I will talk about the things that I failed to do, and the ones that I did not complete. Some of them, again, were out of my control, while others were simply replaced by other obligations or adventures.
Learn and master a new skill every week: I did not master a new skill every week, but I did master some skills that I knew I had to get my hands on. First, I started experimenting with studio lights. I had only done that once in Toronto, but my friend Malcolm Lobban, who owned the studio where I did it, was the one setting up the lights. I also got my hands working on the Affinity Photo software, but I still have to master it.
Post on Instagram at least once or twice a week: Even though I tried my best, and I did it almost daily during the summer, there were times in which I did not feel it. Street photography aside, there were moments in which, due to my job dynamic, nothing popped up in front of my eyes to make me snap and post.
Get more gigs than in 2024: This one was completely beyond my control. This past year only offered one opportunity working for an organization, and the other chance that I got clashed with my first day of school, so I had to pass it along to another photographer. However, there were a couple of private hires, mainly for portraits, so I am content with that.
Work on getting editorial and free-lance assignments: Another resolution that did not fail for lack of effort on my part. Throughout the whole year, there was only one offer for me to cover an event, but that involved a one-hour drive after 10:00pm on a school night, so there was no choice for me but to decline. Nothing else was offered to me.
Plan field trip with my students: The dynamic of the school year and the fact that I had just started being part of the Hartford Yard Goats family, kept me from carrying that field trip with my students. However, the Yard Goats’ offer still stands for the upcoming season, and I also allowed my students to take a camera with them for trips they took, making them follow my advice and reviewing the pictures with them.
Sell prints: It simply didn’t happen. Also, not for lack of effort—although a little bit of aggressiveness on my part would have helped me out. However, I did start to print on my own, and I have given some of those prints to students and friends. So, let’s say it was not that bad.
Hold at least one presentation/exhibit: The truth is that I tried. Even though I had made a contact with University of Connecticut, there was no chance for me to get it done. Maybe a little more insistence on my part could have made things work differently, but it was not the case. However, there are other opportunities that I have been exploring for 2026, hoping they are fruitful
Put together the book “Shadows of the Revolution”: It was more difficult than I had envisioned. Although a great part of my summer was devoted to selecting photos, the idea will require more time, and probably more eyes to look at my work and help me choose what’s best. Fortunately, over 250 pictures have already been selected, and the name was changed into Su/gar: Shadows of the Revolution.
Start making more noise with Cuban Lenses United: The idea still remains, but honestly it wasn’t until the end of the year that one of its members, Daniel Ernesto Martínez, came up with an idea that should not yet be revealed. The intent is to revitalize it in 2026, and now I have an extra support with one of its members who intends to bring something to the table.
What I Managed to Do
Of course, despite the negatives, there were more positive aspects in my resolutions, and those are the things I did manage to accomplish. It is my understanding that my goal was ambitious, but we should set high bars for ourselves in order to achieve things. Sometimes those choices will surprise us indeed.
Shoot every day: It was easy, as there is always an excuse for me to grab my camera and snap a few shots. Driving with it on the passenger’s seat every day enabled me to see and shoot. Sometimes the shots were worthless and/or meaningless. I believe that leaving in the peaceful part of Connecticut actually doesn’t offer a lot of documentary shots, but it was worth a try.
Post on this site at least once every ten days: There was only a moment in which I slowed down, but in reality I compensated by keeping my posts alive and engaging. I also managed to write about different topics about photography in general, gear, and my own work and experience. This was, in my humble opinion, something I succeeded in.
Expand beyond my niche: There is no doubt in my mind that some things I did this year were not within the plans. As aggressive as I think I should have been with other things, there was no holding back in this aspect. During the summer, I was granted a media pass to photograph the ConnectiCon, a cosplay event held in Hartford that definitely applied to a nerd like me. Also, at the end of the summer, I participated in the Connecticut SLAM, a project by portrait slam, held at the American Mural Project, teaming up photographers and models to do portraits. Later on, I was approved to participate in the Connecticut Fashion Week, and although I was able to be there only one day, I aam happy with the result.
Create and enhance projects: I did not hold a CT Photographic Adventures trip per se in 2025. Yet, I did take a couple of road trips and drove for shoots so much during the month of October that I decided to turn it into a post. This post had a Halloween playing a preponderant role. There is no doubt in my mind that the possibility for another one of these trips exists for 2026, so I intend to keep it in mind for my New Year’s Resolutions. I did get into a few CT Hispanic Watch posts, including one that meant a lot to me, as I photographed “jornaleros” looking for a daily job in Samford.
Find opportunities to have TFP sessions: Although it initially seemed like a far-fetched, mainly because of the availability of some of my friends. However, my participation in the Connecticut SLAM and my active presence on two Facebook groups opened the gates to new collaboration that definitely enabled me to do several shoots.
Tribute to my stock photography platforms: Even when I know it could have been more, there were some images I submitted to my portfolio on iStock and I contributed to SIPA with my St. Patrick Day Parade. I still believe that I can do more, but it was good to do this one.
Establish new connections with at least four local photographers: The process has started, thanks to my access to the directory of Professional Photographers of America. I also had the pleasure of meeting other photographers during the Connecticut SLAM and through other events like the Connecticut Fashion Week. Things are going to be interesting in 2026.
Shoot more sports and live performances: Even though there were not enough concert opportunities for me to photograph, the Hartford Yard Goats opened their doors to me. I was able to go to at least one game almost every series, and was deeply involved in events like the Cuban Heritage Night and the Negro League Celebration. This coming year, I plan to continue my involvement with the organization, and intend to go to even more games.
Make at least five street photography trips: They can’t be counted, but 2025 enabled me to visit more places in Connecticut and to get more involved with the community. Whether through the 24 Hour Project or by taking a trip to Stamford, Essex, Chester or Old Saybrook, the year opened new opportunities for me. I intend to be even more open to these things in 2026.
Participate in the 24 Hour Project: I have done this since 2021, and I haven’t missed a time of the yearly event since. This year, I focused on hands as my creative target, and I believe that I have several months to decide which thing to focus on in 2026. Either way, I had a lot of fun, except for the fact that it all started on a school night, which made it really exhausting for me.
Establish connection with National Geographic, Magnum Photos and Canon USA: I placed these in the same spot because I did the same for all of them. Prompted by my students from last year, who were seniors, I decided to make contact with the three of them. NatGeo has its importance due to how much they made me like photography, Magnum because of how much I learned from it, and Canon because it is the gear I have used for over 11 years. I resorted to mailing a handwritten letter with a copy of DOCU Magazine Special Edition featuring my work to each of them, hoping to get an answer. Nothing has happened yet—except for the Canon USA Instagram account liking and commenting on my posts, but that is unrelated—but I know that what matters is the fact that I already knocked on that door. Whether it opens or not, I will have to wait.
The Unplanned Moments
There were of course things that happened that I had not planned for at all. Sometimes the beauty of life relies on how you need to divert from your plans after new possibilities emerge.
The DOCU Magazine: Although I had already been featured in a digital copy of DOCU Magazine, I was happily surprised to receive the opportunity of getting a printed one. Several copies have been sold, and I have bought a few myself to use it as promotion/calling card, and even send a few to NatGeo, Magnum and Canon.
School and local involvement: Even though my camera has always been available for my school, 2025 saw more involvement not only in my workplace, but also in the local community, as I was invited to photograph the Bristol Mum-A-Thon.
Newsletter is born: In the middle of the year, the newsletter for this website was born. Submitted bimonthly and sent to the contacts who have subscribed to our website, the newsletter intends to show the latest posts to people who don’t have the time to look at the website every week. It also provides news about my plans and projects that are too personal to be placed on a post.
Final Thoughts
Despite some misses, there were more hits, and more importantly, there were opportunities that I hadn’t originally envisioned. For 2026, although I haven’t finished my photography resolutions, I intend to keep an open mind to anything that feels like progress and opportunities.
Happy new year to all of you!
