Back in July, I got a request from Runner’s World Magazine to shoot a sunrise running series on spec.  It would potentially be used as a spread to open a section appropriately entitled “Morning Run.”   It was a really quick turnaround time.  I needed a runner, a location, and an idea.  I personally like being in a time crunch.  Like my man, Justin Stephens, always tells me… “with constraint, comes creativity.”  So, I made a facebook post looking for runner, found a willing friend within an hour and I headed for the coast.  Just before dark, I scouted this boardwalk that I’ve ran down many of times to go surf and laid claim on the spot.  Our awesome runner, Caroline, and my cousin Justin met me at 5:30am the next morning, but the sun decided to sleep in.  The biggest lesson in photography…let go of all expectations.  This is the moment when becoming more than photographer comes in to play.  You have to adapt, nothing is ever going to be like the sketch in your notebook.  Adapt.  It may not be what you thought, so make it what it IS.  We shot for 2 hours, experimented, watched the sun peek out for a hot minute and packed it up by 9.  In the end…we got the spread.  Nothing comes easy.  You have to go through the process.  You’ve gotta do the work.  Set your intention, reach out, build your team and adapt.  Magical things will happen.  Thanks again Caroline and Justin.