There’s something magical about reconnecting with old friends. Life gets busy—jobs, family, projects—and before you know it, months, sometimes years, have gone by. But this past week, I finally got to break that cycle and meet up with two of my favorite people, Raymond and Quincy, for a day of photography, art, and hanging out in Chicago.

Three Friends, Three Cities, One Mission

Here’s the setup: Quincy lives just outside of Chicago, Raymond drove up from Indianapolis, and I made the trip down from Milwaukee. Three cities, three different lives, but one shared love for photography and creating. It’s rare when you can get everyone on the same page, so the fact that we all carved out a day to make this happen? That was special.

For me, it was extra meaningful because I hadn’t seen Quincy in over a year. You know how it is—life happens. Work, commitments, schedules. But the moment we met up, it felt like no time had passed. That’s the thing about good friends: even when life gets in the way, you can pick up right where you left off.

The Chicago Art Institute: A Photographer’s Dream

Now, I’ve been to Chicago plenty of times, but somehow, I’ve never made it to The Chicago Art Institute. Let me tell you, that place is an absolute treasure trove.

Walking through the galleries, I couldn’t help but geek out over the sheer amount of history and creativity surrounding us. Seeing paintings by legends like Picasso and Rembrandt in person? That’s a whole different experience. You can’t fully appreciate the detail, the texture, or the scale of these works until you’re standing right in front of them.

And the sculptures—wow. Some of these pieces are thousands of years old. The craftsmanship, the stories they tell, the worlds they represent... It was like stepping into another time and place. Every corner of that museum felt like a new opportunity to be inspired.

Cameras, Conversations, and Connection

What made the day even better was sharing it with Raymond and Quincy. Between exploring the museum and grabbing coffee, we talked about everything—photography, life, creative struggles, and what we’ve been up to lately.

And of course, we couldn’t resist pulling out our cameras. While the museum itself has rules about photography in certain areas, just walking around the city afterward was a photographer’s playground. The mix of architecture, winter light, and people going about their day gave us endless opportunities to shoot.

But honestly, the photography was just a bonus. The real win was reconnecting. It reminded me why I fell in love with creating in the first place: it’s not just about the work; it’s about the people you share it with.

Takeaways From the Day

If there’s one thing I learned from this trip, it’s this: make time for the people who matter. Life will always be busy. There will always be reasons to postpone or reschedule. But when you finally make it happen? It’s worth every mile, every minute, every ounce of effort.

Spending the day at The Chicago Art Institute with Raymond and Quincy wasn’t just about photography or art. It was about connection. It was about being inspired—by the creativity of the past, the energy of the city, and the friendships that make all of this worthwhile.

So, here’s my challenge to you: reach out to an old friend this week. Plan something. It doesn’t have to be a grand adventure—grab coffee, go for a walk, or meet at a museum. Just make it happen.

And if you haven’t been to The Chicago Art Institute yet, add it to your list. You won’t regret it.

Until next time, keep creating, keep connecting, and keep finding the beauty in the everyday.