“Run from what’s comfortable. Forget safety. Live where you fear to live. Destroy your reputation. Be notorious.”

- Rumi

#antarcticaordie

(at Antarctica)

In honor of #Jonas, here’s one of my favorite images from last month’s Antarctic expedition

#antarcticaordie #❄️

(at Antarctica)

My name is #Jonas

#snowstormjonas

️(at New York, New York)

| 10:41 PM |

Mik, Camping Master

Antarctica

#antarcticaordie

(at Antarctica)

“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step towards the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

#mlkday #millionsmarch

(at New York, New York)

A look back at my #bestnine2015 curated by you

#sharkaholic #antarcticaordie

| MY FIRST NEW YORK |

Exactly 5 years ago today, I fulfilled my long time dream of moving to New York City. I remember it was in the middle of one of those record breaking snowstorms, and there were massive piles of snow everywhere. I was officially homeless crashing at my little brother’s apartment, had zero work lined up, was fresh off of a breakup, had very little money in my bank account, and I was searching Craigslist for photography jobs feeling defeated and wondering, “What the hell did I just do?!!”

Back then I had no way of knowing that taking that leap of faith and moving to NYC would lead me to Antarctica, many other meaningful adventures, and love. Looking back I do know that jumping off the cliff and moving to NYC has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.

This is a photograph of me after we crossed the Antarctic Circle during my first trip to Antarctica last season, and probably one of the most raw and honest photos you will ever see of me. My face is freezing, but I am happy and fulfilled, ready for anything.

#antarcticaordie

(at Antarctica)

| MARS |

where we saw a black turtle lay 100 eggs

(at Costa Rica)

| FIRST LIGHT |

The bull sharks and the crocodiles are doing just fine

#puravida

(at Playa Grande, Costa Rica)

Starting the new year off surfing Witches Rock

#endlesssummer #puravida

(at Witches Rock, Costa Rica)

2015 | A Year in Review

Greetings from Costa Rica! Costa Rica has been on my bucket list for quite some time so it’s wonderful to be relaxing and writing here as 2015 comes to a close. This year has been one of the most fulfilling and memorable years and looking back I am grateful and my heart is full.

One of the major highlights this year was my time as Photographer in Residence onboard the M/S Expedition ship in Antarctica twice this year, at the end and the beginning of the Antarctic season. It has been my long time dream to visit Antarctica ever since I was in 4th grade, and Antarctica forever changed me and left an impression on me. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced so much raw, untouched beauty, and Antarctica is out of this world and like no other place on earth. Antarctica was also my 7th and final continent. It’s crazy that I was there just 11 days ago!

I also had a blast and learned a lot freelancing for The New York Times, and working on the JR art piece that graced the cover of the New York Times Magazine, Walking New York issue. New York continues to surprise me, and I’m lucky to call it home.

This year I spent over 6 months on the road, which was exciting, tiring, and difficult at times. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to travel and create some of my most cherished memories with some of my loved ones and dear friends this year. I am reminded that life is about relationships and building community and making moments with the people that you love. 

Next year I’m excited to do an extended residency in Berlin and visit South Georgia and Antarctica again onboard the M/S Expedition.

Thanks for following along and for allowing me to share some of my images and stories this year. I’m thankful for my clients, loved ones, and friends who support me and allow me to do what I love everyday. Wishing you love, light, and peace in 2016 and beyond.

The photos above are my top 10 of 2015, curated out of 40,000 images, with captions below.

All My Best,

Reuben

1. Josefina, “Man on Wire” redefined, Salar De Uyuni, Bolivia

2. A morning filled with 400 billion suns, the rising of the Milky Way over the Atacama Desert in Northern Chile

3. Breaching humpback whale, Antarctica

4. Hiking Neko Harbor, Antarctica

5. Iceberg, Antarctica

6. Antarctic light bounce

7. Breaching great white shark, South Africa

8. Recently circumcised junior Maasai warriors, Tanzania

9.  Iceberg, Antarctica

10. 12:50 AM, Camping on Rongé Island, Antarctica

Head in the clouds

(at Costa Rica)

Cool beans

#puravida

(at Costa Rica)

Learning about coffee from Don Juan, 78 years old, Costa Rican coffee plantation owner

#makeportraits #puravida

(at Costa Rica)

The thing that captivated me about Antarctica this time around is the light. The light is never ending, the magic hours last all night long, and it paints colors unlike anything I have ever seen before.

Antarctica is different and surprising each and every time; it is like no other place on earth.

#antarcticaordie

(at Antarctic)

A Time-Lapse Rocket Ride to the Top of 1... - The New York Times | Facebook

My New York Times video was one of their most popular videos this year. Full article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/20/nyregion/on-time-lapse-rocket-ride-to-trade-centers-top-ghostly-glimpse-of-doomed-tower.html?_r=0

| 12:50 AM |

Scenes from camping on Rongé Island

#antarcticaordie

(at Antarctic)

| 10:15 PM |

A tabular iceberg drifts past us in the Ross Sea.

The largest recorded iceberg, B-15, measured 183 miles long by 83 miles wide, larger than the whole island of Jamaica.

#antarcticaordie

(at Antarctic)

Adélie penguins take flight

#antarcticaordie

(at Antarctic)

A crabeater seal chillin on an ice floe

#antarcticaordie

(at Antarctic)