Some news, as they say.
I’m happy to be freelancing full-time again.
A week ago Monday, my job at the International Monetary Fund was eliminated by TeamPeople, the contracting agency that hired me (yet another D.C. victim of “budgetary concerns”). I didn’t see it coming. But somehow, I also wasn’t totally surprised. It happened so quickly and was “effective immediately” that it actually took a little while to process, once the shock wore off. I talk about it more here, and also share some work I was proud of from my 10½ months there.
Thanks to all those who reached out, sent hilarious gifs, and offered up kind words. Also, a big thanks to some of my amazing former colleagues for taking me out for a drink. As I told them over churros and beer, they were the best part of that job. I worked with some incredibly kind, ridiculously smart, insanely creative folks, and I’ll miss our collaborations and lunchtime conversations the most.
To answer a few of the recurring questions I’ve gotten:
I’m fine. More than fine. I promise. :) Thanks for asking, though.
I’ve said it before, but this is what an emergency fund/savings account is for.
I’m definitely open to a staff position somewhere else — at the right place. Being on staff again reminded me of how much I missed being on a team, united for a similar goal, and pushing to constantly elevate ideas and images.
In the meantime, I’m riding my bike a lot and letting the photo editors of the world know my schedule has opened up and I have more availability now.
Onward & upward.
Here are 5 things I was looking at and loving this week:
Four words: Slo-Mo Pit Cam
What a time to be a cycling fan! The Tour de France started this week (which means 21 days or 3 weeks of world-class bike racing!). If you want an entirely vibes-based guide to the 2025 Tour de France, read this. It’s fun. Season 3 of Unchained (the Netflix documentary on the TdF just dropped, so I’m also reliving some great storylines from last year’s race. The Great Southern Country, a documentary on Lachlan Morton’s 8,823-mile loop around Australia (in 30 days, nine hours, and 59 minutes!), is in my queue to watch. And last, but certainly not least, Lael Rides Around the World features my favorite endurance rider, Lael Wilcox, who set a new world record for circumnavigating the earth by bicycle (18,000+ miles in 108 days, 12 hours, and 12 minutes!). Plus, it’s beautifully documented by her talented professional photojournalist wife, Rue Kaladyte.
This is a trippy way to preview a photo book. I kind of love it. I also really dig the work in that video, which is called Cheryomushki by Nikolay Bakharev.
It's not quite a museum, not just a warehouse, and definitely not your typical day out in East London. I’m totally obsessed with London’s V&A East Storehouse.
There’s a case to be made for not talking about work with non-work friends. :)
Uggh. That sucks. I have some thoughts. Let's talk soon. Our next lunch is on me!
Sorry to hear the news. It's going around, unfortunately.