Personal glory!

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To “seek kleos” is to seek eternal glory. It is to strive, push, and extend beyond the confines of mere existence. Kleos—this ancient Greek concept of immortality through fame—is more than a goal. It’s a lifestyle. It’s about transcending the ordinary, the everyday drudgery, and propelling yourself into the eternal now. For me, it’s what photography is all about, what art is about, and really, what life is about.

In Homeric times, kleos was the mark of heroes like Achilles and Hector. But what does it mean to the modern individual? We live in an age where you can carve out your kleos through your work, your words, your art, or your images. The medium has changed, but the message stays the same: make something that lasts.

We’re in a world obsessed with comfort. We chase security, stability, and the illusion of safety. But kleos is about rejecting that. It’s about seeking discomfort. You’ve got to put yourself on the line. You’ve got to be willing to risk humiliation, failure, rejection. Most people are afraid of failing. I say, don’t fear failure—fear mediocrity. Fear being forgotten.

Photography, for me, is a tool for this. I shoot to transcend the moment. When you take a photograph, you capture not just an image, but a slice of time. And with enough intention, that image can transcend the photographer, transcending even the viewer. That’s kleos in a visual medium. That’s why I focus on simplicity and the human spirit in my work. There’s no clutter. There’s no excess. It’s pure essence, distilled into an image. Something that might outlast me. Something that, hopefully, will last forever.

When I teach workshops or write, my advice is always the same: pursue your craft with a relentless drive. Push yourself. Be willing to make mistakes. Challenge conventions. This is what I mean by seeking kleos. It’s not about seeking fame for fame’s sake, but about making an indelible mark on the world through your work. I think about this a lot when I hit the streets with my camera. Each shot is a chance to capture something that speaks to the human condition. If I can tap into that universal energy, even for a moment, that’s kleos.

But seeking kleos is not just about the individual. It’s about others. When you create something powerful, you change lives. You inspire others to seek their own kleos. You spark a chain reaction. That’s the ripple effect of greatness. You shoot an image that speaks to someone halfway across the world. They see that photo, and maybe it pushes them to pick up a camera, to create, to live with intention.

This is why you can’t settle for mediocrity. Mediocrity is the enemy of kleos. It’s easy to fall into a rhythm of doing what everyone else is doing—taking the same shots, creating the same art, thinking the same thoughts. But when you seek kleos, you step out of that rhythm. You push boundaries, challenge norms, and dare to be different.

Kleos doesn’t come easy. You’ve got to earn it. In photography, that means long hours on the streets, embracing the uncertainty, and sometimes, the grind. But that grind is where the magic happens. That’s where kleos is found. It’s in those moments of struggle where you test your limits, where you question yourself, where you feel like giving up but you push through. That’s when you’re closest to kleos.

Think about your legacy. What will people remember you for? Will your work stand the test of time? Are you creating something timeless, or are you just chasing likes, followers, and temporary validation? To seek kleos is to think long-term. It’s to recognize that the things that last are the things created with purpose and passion.

So, in whatever you do—photography, writing, art, business—seek kleos. Seek the eternal. Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo. Don’t be afraid to fail. In fact, embrace failure as a stepping stone. The key is to keep moving forward, keep striving, and keep creating.

At the end of the day, kleos is about legacy. It’s about living a life that matters. It’s about creating work that endures, work that transcends time. You don’t have to be a warrior on the battlefield to achieve kleos. You can be a photographer on the streets, an artist in your studio, or a writer at your desk. The path is yours to carve out. Seek kleos, not for the sake of glory itself, but for the sake of creating something beautiful and eternal.

In the end, the pursuit of kleos is the pursuit of life itself. It’s about embracing every moment, every challenge, and every opportunity to create something that will outlast you. So go out there, create something extraordinary, and seek kleos.

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Seek Kleos

In today’s hyper-connected world, we’re constantly bombarded with notifications, updates, and the relentless pursuit of more—more followers, more likes, more validation. But amidst this digital noise, have we lost sight of what’s truly meaningful? Have we forgotten the pursuit of kleos?

Kleos, an ancient Greek concept, translates to “glory” or “renown achieved through great deeds.” It’s about leaving a legacy, making a mark that transcends time. The heroes of old didn’t seek fame for fame’s sake; they sought to accomplish something worthy, something that would echo through eternity.

So, how does this ancient idea apply to us, the modern creators, photographers, and thinkers?

Embrace Your Personal Myth

Every one of us is the hero of our own story. Just as Achilles had his battles and Odysseus his odyssey, we have our challenges and journeys. Embracing kleos means acknowledging that our actions matter—that our lives are not insignificant blips but threads in the grand tapestry of human existence.

Create with Purpose

In photography, it’s easy to get caught up in gear lust or the chase for the perfect shot. But seeking kleos is about more than technical perfection; it’s about imbuing your work with meaning. Let your photos tell stories that resonate, that capture the human condition in all its complexities.

Transcend the Temporary

Social media platforms come and go. Trends fade. Algorithms change. When we base our worth on these fleeting metrics, we build our foundations on sand. Kleos invites us to focus on what endures. Ask yourself: Will this work matter in a year? In a decade? In a century?

Impact Over Influence

Influence is overrated when it’s superficial. Impact is what counts. Strive to touch lives, to inspire change, to provoke thought. Whether it’s through a powerful image, a compelling essay, or a simple act of kindness, your actions ripple outward in ways you may never fully grasp.

The Courage to Be Authentic

Seeking kleos requires vulnerability. It demands that we peel back the layers of pretense and present our true selves to the world. This authenticity is not just liberating; it’s transformative. When you stand firmly in who you are, you give others permission to do the same.

Legacy is Built Daily

Kleos isn’t achieved overnight. It’s the cumulative result of daily choices, habits, and actions. Every day is an opportunity to align closer with your purpose, to contribute something meaningful, to edge nearer to the legacy you wish to leave behind.

In the end, seeking kleos is about living a life of intention. It’s rejecting the passive consumption of experiences in favor of active creation. It’s about understanding that while our time here is finite, the echoes of our deeds are not.

So, step boldly into your journey. Embrace the challenges, relish the growth, and above all, create work that matters. Let’s not just exist—let’s seek kleos.