THANK YOU!..
Dear Friend,
I just want to say thank you for attending, attempting or just sending your well-wishes for my opening of “Forty Years to Fruition” at the Milieu Gallery. What I may not have fully articulated at my gallery opening, especially for those who couldn’t attend is just how meaningful this journey has been for me.
Persisting with a vision that has seen decades of distractions, is obviously filled with stories, but the one at the core of it all?..
I grew up with a camera in my hand.
It pacified my introversion.
It taught me that tilting the frame could shift the entire feeling of an image.
It gave me something to do in my pre-internet childhood, on the outskirts of a small town.
It expanded my imagination.
It trained me to observe.
It offered chemistry lessons in a high school darkroom, where I took every photo class I could.
It inspired more visual storytelling in my writing.
It led to journalism, where I learned to shoot with intent.
It landed me in yearbook class, where I studied aesthetics.
It even got me to take art class—mainly so I could convince my teacher to let me turn a janitor’s closet into a darkroom.
It kept my GPA afloat.
It led me to a mentor who taught me how to add people to my scenic images.
It made algebra make sense—thanks to lighting ratios and color temperature.
It opened doors I couldn’t afford to walk through otherwise.
It got me VIP access to events I once dreamed of attending.
It let me explore sociology and psychology through a lens.
It gave me a playground for marketing.
It turned me into a globe-trotter—paid to check off Bucket List locations.
It let me photograph thousands of teens and glimpse generational trends.
It even introduced me to my wife, 7,000 miles away, and ultimately to the joy of parenting our two boys.
It trained me to crop my assumptions and imagine new perspectives.
So yeah… I could go on, but I probably lost half of you at “introversion.” (It has been a while since I was shy.)
In fact I spent ten years in a speaking group just to better direct my portrait clients—eventually finding my voice from behind the camera.
Whether you know me as a classmate, family member, client, networker, or friend—your support for this launch means the world to me. Physically or energetically, your presence fuels the continuation of this soul-nurturing work.
This gallery launch wasn’t about showing off—it was about showing up.
It’s a baby step toward something bigger, and I’d love your help in spreading the word.
If a piece caught your eye, reach out—I’m happy to share the story behind it.
If you know someone who might resonate with this visual style, please share my work with them.
New images will be added to the online gallery often, even as I look for better (and more affordable) ways to display them in person.
The journey is just beginning—and your continued encouragement makes all the difference.
PLEASE consider following me online, most places as @gratitudaholic and/or @studiobpdx but most importantly would be the email list. I am a VERY empathic marketer, meaning it’s more likely you’ll wonder if I’m still alive, than if I’m going to badger you with too many emails. When I DO send them, I assure you that the images I choose will make you want to be surrounded by nature.
With deep gratitude,
Brian Geraths
Thank you again to our amazing host at Milieu Gallery (I’ll be showing until July 2025) as well as these amazing sponsors…
Grocery Outlet of Tigard provided a great deal of food for Charcuterie boards, but I didn’t get their logo before going to print…
Thank you to Rosy Rojas of Woofies for volunteering to capture what the photographer didn’t plan for… Cobbler’s kids have no shoes?..
Neighbors, networkers and friends…
Giving shout-outs to vendors and our amazing host at Millieu Gallery - Bridgeport Village.
Three amazing wines being sampled by C'EST WHAT? Wine and Sensory Sommelier Michael Perman.
Most escaped before I remembered a had a camera in my back pocket…
LO Chamber Dudes!.. Pat (Iron Coaching) and Tony (OnPoint Bank.) Thank you both attending and sticking around to help clean up.
