An Ode to Women

Something magical happens when we're truly drawn to someone.

Throughout history, men have been inspired by women to build cathedrals, write masterpieces, paint murals, and create movements that changed the world.

The archetype of the muse isn't just romantic poetry - it's a real force that transforms us.

I don't have a particular purpose for this except to celebrate the beauty of women, and perhaps to awaken a similar reflection inside other men if it resonates.

It's almost like in a videogame, where a character has a quest marker above their head.

My desire is like that quest marker, pulling me towards my next step, my next level of growth.

~~~~~

The Salsa Teacher: Quest for Real Companionship

In Colombia, I matched with a vibrant woman who led elderly people through salsa dancing classes to keep them active.

There was something about her - a glowing quest marker of sorts - that my soul recognized as exactly what I needed.

After coffee, we went back to my Airbnb and immediately she ran towards me and jumped, expecting me to catch her without any warning

I did (phew) and after laughing about it, she taught me salsa right there in the living room.

Her trust and energy showed me how amazing it can be to throw myself at life and just live.

But more than that, she was teaching me what it felt like to actually spend meaningful time with someone.

A couple weeks later, it was my birthday.

I barely mentioned it - I'd learned to expect nothing from people, keeping my guard up to avoid disappointment.

But somehow she found out and showed up at my door with a cake she'd just bought!

I was stunned!

It seemed like a small gesture, but nobody had ever surprised me like that on my birthday.

In that moment, my walls cracked open.

Through her infectious energy, a month and a half of fun adventures including a spontaneous waterfall trip and paragliding, I learned that companionship feels amazing.

That sharing life in relationship feels incredible.

Quest completed: Quality companionship is more than worth the sacrifice of giving up other options.

~~~~~

The Latvian Singer: Quest for Embracing my Masculinity

I was traveling solo, feeling disconnected and lonely in Latvia.

It had been more than 3 months and I was beginning to feel lonely

Through a dating app, I met a beautiful singer who showed up to our first date in a pink tutu.

Another quest marker appeared - her infectious innocent energy practically radiating "be the masculine to my feminine" above her head.

She didn't lecture me about opening up; she simply was open and vulnerable, and in her presence, I learned what it meant to receive love without walls.

I was nearly homeless when I met her (kicked out of a hostel with nowhere to go, and no money to get another hostel) and she trusted me enough to let me stay at a place she was housesitting for her friend.

But the most profound gift was how her deep rootedness in her feminine brought out a masculinity I didn't even know existed inside me… a warm, loving, protective, strong force.

I'd grown up without strong role models and without reverence for either masculinity or femininity.

Being with her awakened something primal and beautiful: the desire to protect, to provide, to hold space for her softness.

It wasn't aggressive or dominating; it was a nurturing strength she inspired from me.

Quest completed: You are worthy of love and devotion, and this is what healthy masculine energy feels like.

~~~~~

The Gym Girl: Quest for Professional Transformation

Back in the States, I developed feelings for someone at my local gym.

The quest marker above her head was subtle but persistent, though I cared a lot about that gym and didn’t want to risk drama by asking her out.

Three weeks later, she started dating someone else… a traveling photographer.

In my jealous mind, I decided that if that's what it took to get someone like her, I'd become a traveling photographer too.

Sometimes the quest marker leads you somewhere unexpected.

200 clients, 40 cities, 5 countries, and 3 continents later, I owe part of my career to that moment of heartbreak and determination.

Quest completed: Transform your pain into purpose.

~~~~~

My Last Girlfriend: Quest for Deep Love and Commitment

My last relationship was perhaps the most transformative.

Her quest marker glowed with lessons about real love, the kind that goes beyond surface attraction.

I went into the relationship thinking I wanted something casual and consistent, but I found myself being drawn deeper and deeper into partnership.

She taught me what it really means to commit, not just to show up, but to stay present through the messy, vulnerable parts of love.

Through her patient devotion, and full acceptance of who I was and where I was at, I learned how worthy I am of receiving deep love, and how my actions ripple out to either nurture or wound the people I care about.

She taught me how the choice itself to commit to someone transforms the relationship into something deeper, a different level of fulfillment.

She showed me the importance of being truly grounded, of getting clear about what I actually want in a partner instead of having a surface level checklist.

Most importantly, she taught me when to hold on and when to let go… distinguishing between the things worth fighting for and things important enough to sacrifice the relationship for.

Quest completed: Love is a choice you make every day, I'm worthy of receiving and giving deep devotion, and sometimes to love you must let go.

~~~~~

The Pattern I've Learned to Trust

Each woman I've been drawn to, whether we ended up together or not, has carried a quest marker for something essential:

• How to commit and love fully

• How to embrace spirituality and presence

• The importance of being attuned to another person

• How to accept people as they are, even when it means letting go

Women have a way of pulling us toward our truth, toward our next level of growth.

It's not conscious, but it's beautiful.

I am grateful to every single woman who's drawn my desire, whether or not she reciprocates.

I find that I'm always better off for following my desire regardless of the outcome…

In the words of Ellie in The Last of Us, singing her version of "Take on Me" (which I'm currently practicing btw, it'll be on my stories soon):

"It's not better to be safe than sorry."

~~~~~

A Different Way to Look at Connection

Looking at relationships through this lens has helped me trust the process.

When I see that quest marker (when I'm drawn to someone) I honor that pull.

If we don't end up together, I trust that she's entered my life to teach me something I need to learn.

This isn't about putting women on pedestals or seeing them only as teachers.

It's about recognizing the profound ways that meaningful connections shape who we become.

My desire is like that quest marker, pulling me towards my next step, my next evolution.

To the women who've inspired growth, change, and evolution in the men around them: thank you.

Your influence ripples out in ways you might never know.

And I can't wait for my next quest. Bring it on.

~~~~~

Where This All Connects

My dating profile photography business ties into this in the most beautiful way.

Many of the women I've connected with have been through dating apps, and the same is true for my clients.

It humbles me to see that I am responsible for a few marriages at this point, several relationships, and countless "quests" for the 200+ clients I've worked with around the world.

Every photo session is really about helping someone attract their next quest marker (or markers.)

And coming up soon, I will be adding coaching to my packages, helping men be their best selves not just in photos, but behind them too.

Because the real attraction doesn’t start with the perfect shot; it starts in becoming your best self before you step in front of the camera.

~~~~~

What connections in your life have pushed you to grow in unexpected ways? I'd love to hear your stories.

~~~

Pic of me in Ghirardelli Square giving boyfriend vibes