I was almost 24 when I flew on a plane for the first time… my whole life, I had dreamt, not really of money, cars, diamond encrusted toilet seats or a robe made of unicorn hides… I just always wanted to travel. Mark Twain once said
“Nothing is more dangerous to prejudice than travel.” I think, subconsciously, as a kid that didn’t feel accepted, I just really wanted to find that. You know… the lack of prejudice means we are all accepted…
I can report to you that for the most part, I’ve misplaced, lost entirely most all of my hang-ups and prejudices. There’s not much that I can’t handle these days, in respect to the idea that I continually learn from things.
That brings me to pictures… I realized that I wasn’t taking any. After a few years of flying all around, barely keeping my things together, losing cell phone chargers, taking a half hour to get through the airport, forgetting all kinds of things… I got really good at traveling. I realized that I had time on my hands, getting so efficient, and I might actually be able to carry a camera without losing it.
[Freelance Whales]
So I got a camera, it’s nothing amazing… but when I have an “I wish you were here to see this!” moment, I try to remember to get some kind of picture. To be honest no picture could never do any of these experiences justice. I would most likely forget a lot of the little details is it weren’t for this beat up camera… going through the pictures yesterday, telling a friend about things, I realized just how full the last month or so has been.
[City oh City Coffee in Denver]
I have the opportunity to meet so many interesting people, to experience things first hand and to form my opinions based on what actually is and not just what I feel or think after reading a second hand account.
[Charles Hamilton]
When I look at things now… my biggest interest is in the sensation of the experience and then sharing that with people.
[The view from the 25th floor]
I see some pretty good performances… I get to see things sometimes a year before the rest of the world, I always, always wish I could just show everyone “How crazy is this?… right this moment!” just what is going on out there… maybe they’d be more excited about what each other is doing, instead of having any negative feelings…
Sometimes it’s art.
[Spock Monroe]
Sometimes it’s just the right odd little red seat.
[Self Portrait (I like the blur in my self portraits)]
Maybe some cool little thing that is mundane in the everyday world, but cool because I am in a new place.
[I love staying in hotels, the logo on this shampoo is classy looking]
[I almost forgot about this, I saw these guys throwing bags, like crazy damaging style, so I turned on my camera... wow they were not happy with me... this is why I travel all carry on... ALL THE TIME!]
[The Gaslight Anthem buddies with a guest appearance from Ian's buttcrack, haha]
I get to see things in their raw state a lot of the time… yes, things still happen the way they did before technology came along…. you just have to look.
[Before a show in a makeshift venue... ]
Beauty.
[I have the Fever Ray video on my camera, it's one of the most beautiful things I've seen in a long time]
I get to see my friends do what they do best… I am constantly surprised at the fortitude of the human spirit and our ability to out-do ourselves.
[Steve Aoki, the man, the myth, the experience]
I surprise myself with my own ability to weather some storms, continue to grow my comfort zones, learn from others, appreciate things I’d once taken for granted… I hope this process never stops.
[I got really sick. I mean sick, like I was sure death was near... an I.V. from my nurse friend Jen pretty much saved me]
I gotta tell you as a kid that got his one wish, I still love traveling, and while I don’t have much to claim… I really don’t think I’d trade my experiences, friendships, memories etc. for a platinum toothbrush or caviar candy bars…
*Click the pictures… they get big.
**Leave a note… your opinion matters to me.
Posted in: Inspiration | Miscellaneous | People | Photography
Comments
Loove it!! Thank you VERY MUCH for sharing it with us!! I love your blog! You’re so cute and funny! Oh, and you should come to Braziç to DJ here! OK, I’ll shut up my mouth! Butthe doors are open! Loove you and your family! Kisses
You look like you’ve had some amazing experiences, they’ll mean a hell of a lot more to you than “money, cars, diamond encrusted toilet seats or a robe made of unicorn hides” ever will. Love the blog, keep it up xx.
I love traveling but never really have had the funds or the time to do it. Being a mom and raising my kids..I never really had a chance to do it. Learning other people’s cultures and seeing how they live..it has always interested me. Your photos are amazing..and they tell a story when looking at them. You’ve been very blessed to have these experiences. I love that you are down to earth you write very well. Glad you are well too! The picture of the IV needle in your wrist makes me cringe a little. I hate getting those!
Thank you for sharing these with everyone. I love the Spock Monroe as well as the candid camera moment with the baggage claim dudes. So great! 
I love the way you write. It’s moving, it’s mesmerizing.
I am getting addicted to reading what you write.
Much love.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Josh Madden, Mrs.Benjamin Madden♥. Mrs.Benjamin Madden♥ said: @Joshmadden awsome!!!!! http://joshmadden.com/2010/01/if-it-wasnt-for-pictures/ [...]
I loved this, really inspiring. If you don’t mind me asking, what happened to you that got you so sick? Writing that question I realize it’s personal but maybe you’d like to share. Also, have you ever been to any part of Mexico? If you haven’t you should come to Monterrey, it’s really pretty
Wow ur photography is awsome! whats a Fever Ray, coz its making that pic look amazing ;D
I’ve already got sick, mean, really sick! My mom and dad saved me by the same way: I.V. ! I stayed in bed for a few days and even an injection was painful. I was 9! And in the same year I had got pneumonia! Hahahaha! What a year! I’m glad you’re ok now! Loove you! Kisses
I love taking pictures! And i, too, love sharing them with people because they can see my world in my point of view. It is amazing to appreciate pictures that can be insignificant to others. I love to take pictures and turning them into polaroids on my iPhone app, i’d like to share them with you. Hope you like them! http://www.flickr.com/photos/best_polaroids_by_daisy/
Wow, thanks for sharing!
I’ve always loved travelling too, but I aint got much money unfortunately!
But when I can, I love going to another country, see another culture and enjoy it from myself as you said
Great post! Weird, me and my friend were talking about pictures yesterday and how we love to capture every moment of a good time. Just to have memories or share these special events/days. Very cool post and awesome pictures.
This somehow reminds me of a quote from one of my favorite, if not my favorite, movie; “the only true currency in this world are the things you share with someone when you’re uncool.” I’m not sure exactly why this fits, but your final remark’s there reminded me of it. That your memories, these pictures, the connection to other people, are worth more than platinum rings.
I don’t travel much, or very far, but I love to explore my own city with my sisters, but its amazing whats in my own backyard when I look for it. Travel too, can be one of those best things in life that’s free.
Enjoyed the pictures and “memories”. You really should post them more often.
PS. Very glad you returned from the dead.
You have more insight than anyone ive ever met! Your stories keep me going through my day
From the kindness of your heart you share with us. Thank you for doing that Josh.
I have always felt like I don’t belong here and Unfortunately I haven’t been able to travel……Yet. Please keep sharing you photos so I can travel with you.
Stay safe and healthy
Love, Light and Laughter
MazzyJ
Josh, u are an amazing writer…..im sure u know this by now…But you also have this crazy like real passionate spirit that is like woah!! People are just drawn to u…,because ur real, I like that. Life is too short not to take pictures, and have memories to look back on. You will be quoted one day, believe that!
Ok..heres the thing. When cloning becomes the norm…I am coming to get u! Seriously though u did it again. Love your out take on life and all the things involved with life. I would love you to write a book on your memoirs…life seen through your eyes. Love u Josh!
Enjoyed the read, Josh. Both words and visuals. It’s somehow, very humble. Greetings from Singapore!
You know that day I said I was staying in your brain for the day? Seriously your words the way you write express how you feel, even let me into your world even if it might only be for a brief moment. I love it, I would love to sit and have coffee with you and just talk forever. I know we have some things in common which you dont .You have said some things in passing I dont know if you even realize you did but just to just hear you talk about life and love and living. You are an amazing guy Josh and I hope you never change anything about you. Because YOU are perfect just the way you are. And I for one hope all your wishes and dreams come true, because I have never known someone that deserves them more than you! Shoot I got all emotional.
Love you lots Josh
xoxo
~b
You inspire me.Lovely and truthful words. I was fortunate to meet and talk to you and you signed my Gc remix cd. You took over 15 minutes to talk to my daughter and I.you were for real and we felt so good because you took the time and invested some special moments in our lives. I wouldn’t change any hardships in my life. Hardships teach you how to live. Thank you for sharing and remembering where you came from. Stay true.i lost my sister and pictures help me feel she”s still here.
This is amazing. Not only do I love (and I mean LOVE) to travel and see new cities, new things, everything.. But I also do my best to notice what no one else will. A nice looking floor, a different colored stone in a path leading down to somewhere or an old shop sign. Anything and everything.
I love your selfportrait. I always used to forget to put myself in pictures, so last summer I made up for it when I was in LA and about 80% of all the pictures I took was of myself.. I think I’ll overdo it either way haha.
This blog is so inspiring. You make me want to live a better life, to make a better life for myself.
Keep it up.
It is not down in any map; true places never are. Melville
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Nice post! Yes you’re right, life does look diff behind the lens, it captures every micro moment that we miss when we’re not watching!
I guess I’m one of the lucky ones..I get to travel all corners of the world with my work. There’s cons: i secretly have a fear of flying, it makes me caustrophobic :S
pros: i’ve experienced some amazing things in the world..i’ve climbed the great wall of China, watched niagara falls at night in Canada, climbed the eiffel tower on a rainy day in Paris, experience the madness of the Germany 2006 World Cup, visited the elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka, admire the statue of liberty in New York, bungee jumped of the Auckland Bridge NZ, and the list goes on…
My travels have made me more open-minded, accepting of diversity and appreciative of what I have and my beautiful home town Melbourne OZ! Oi Oi Oi!
I have pics from all my experiences, they remind me of how much i’ve been able experience in this lifetime…and just a month ago i traded my small pentax camera for a Nikon DSLR, now my memories will be forever engraved and 100% more rockin’!
great words.
my first boyfriend (a photographer to be, we were only 16) gave me one of his photos (home printed) as a present for our first Christmas together. he wrote on the back a note saying that photography is NOT reality, but reality throught someone’s eyes. with that photo he said he was giving to me himself and that was the best present ever…
thanks for your presents, Josh 
I used to get to travel all the time for a job I had stressful at times great at others but there was never anything better than traveling somewhere new and meeting random people in the airport or on the plane and hearing there stories my boyfriend anways used to joke when I got off the plane that I always had another grandpa or grandma to tell stories with or about!! You probably have much more intersting stories and adventures but all good memories for both of us! Thank you for making me remember mine today!!
This is why I like you. Props to the nth degree. I’m going to start capturing my travels more often.
I always wanted to travel. I often get jealous of people who’ve seen the world. I’ve been all over the 48 states, but I’ve never left American soil. For a long time I just wanted to go to Europe. I feel like if I get out of the States I’ll gain an appreciation for the life I have here. I was praying it would teach me my own insignificance. Now I really want to go to Africa and see some of the countries there that are affected the most by things I know nothing about like war, AIDS, living without clean water, ect.
While thats still my dream, to travel to Africa and frolic with the lions, I’m thankful that I’ve grown up a little bit. At least enough to know that I’m lucky I’ve traveled at all. Some people never leave their home states. So for now I travel with other people in pictures and in books. But someday….
I have never travelled very far always thinking that when I got older I would – never had a passport – not even a holiday until I was 19 and now I am 43,my kids are aged 16 and up and for the past 10 years I have been a wheelchair user and I know I will never travel now
My soul led me to your blog.
Thank you for your truth, your compassion, your love.
In love and joy.
;0) xx
are well
Couldn’t have said it better myself. And the pictures are amazing. Um jealous wish I had the opportunity ti travel as much as u do.
Josh, I couldn’t have said it better. I too, love to travel. I would rather go on a trip then live in a huge expensive house, drive a fancy car, have a closet full of clothes etc. I’d especially love to go to Great Britain and Japan. But there is a lot of America I haven’t seen yet.
Great pictures by the way.
I’m a coach and I live exactly like this blog post. Knowing that a picture could never hold the magic that comes from being in the moment of an amazing experience but taking one anyway and wishing people were there to experience it with you. To be honest I never take pictures when I travel. It’s a part of who I have become and to share a lot of that through a picture or conversation is like trying to sum up my life. It can’t be done on the first date or a catch up convo with friends. My travels made me who I am and it would save me a lot of exhaustion if people I miss were there to experience it for me.
Love you Josh.
I love your perspective on life. You always seem to appreciate the little things in life, you always seem to enjoy the things and the people around you. That’s the spirit! If everyone would look at life the way you do the world would be a better place.
I recently found out about Shuttercal.com
It’s a “free, calendar-based photography project where you can document your life and improve your photography skills at the same time.” as they describe themselves, maybe you should try it? That way you can document your life and keep track of where you’ve been and when!
Love the blog Josh, always looking forward to a new blog post!
~ Kim.
Oh yeah I love photography take pictures myself, and my favorite Cure song is “Pictures of You” heehee
love you
xoxo
~b
Traveling is the only thing that makes me feel “normal.” Moving so much makes me uncomfortable in one spot. But I never take pictures. I’m terrible at it.
What gave you the drive & positive attitude to change things? Seems like sunshine comes spilling from your fingertips.
PS: glad you’re feeling better, but the IV pic made me naseous.
keep up the inspiring words, dude. they’re rad.
Mr Madden, you never cease to amaze me, thank you for being you and for inspiring me to be a better person =)
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