The Maiden Voyage

In honor of my first birthday in the “real world,” I’m launching my two websites that I’ve been poring over for the last 12 months!

The blog you’re currently reading and Justin Barbin Photography

This past year has been an incredible roller coaster ride filled with lots of ups and a few major downs, but I’m ready to take on this post-college life armed with a passion for what I’m doing (photographing and meeting new people and exploring Chicago).

As the birthday greetings roll in (from cards to phone calls and texts to Facebook messages), I’m reminded by how many talented, attractive, and creative friends and family surround me (and this isn’t me trying to flatter you all especially when it’s a fact).

I’m not able to answer all of the wall posts, and I know this post may seem impersonal, but it really means a lot to me that you took the time out of your day (even if it was just for five seconds) to greet me on my birthday! I’ve been reading each one and every time I get just a little fuzzier inside. From friends I just saw the other day to friends I haven’t seen in years, being greeted by each of you brings me so much joy.

Oh boy look what you made me do there…getting all sappy again! But truly, truly, THANK YOU for being a part of my life in any capacity.

I just had the urge to break into song but it would have gone to waste since none of you are right by me at this very moment…

To those of you who don’t know me and are here out of curiosity, I really can’t write about myself properly to introduce who I am and what I do. I’ll leave that up to my beautiful friend and current editor of STITCH Fashion Magazine, Nadina Gerlach, who wrote the cover story for this past issue of STITCH (photos were done by the incredible Ethan Caldwell:

Click here or on the photo to go to the May 2011 issue for STITCH Magazine

I’ve graduated five different times. Above is my very first and below is my most recent (from Northwestern University, one of the best decisions of my life). And now I have no graduations on the horizon (yet…)

I hope you’ll continue to check my websites out and come along for the ride as I take on the real world!

- JB