I Almost Quit Photography Before This Happened

I hadn't picked up my camera with any real intention since February. Two months of Kona Lows, day-job burnout, and a Kauaʻi leg that collapsed at the last minute. By the time I boarded the flight to the Big Island, I genuinely didn't know if I was still a photographer... or if I'd just used to be one. This is a documentary-style look at six days of trying to find out. Sketchy seascapes at the drains, rare honeycreepers in the kīpuka, six Pueo in a single afternoon, a Hawaiian Hawk that found us instead of the other way around, and a redemption sunset I had no business shooting. If you've ever lost the spark for the thing you used to love, this one's for you. 📅 Support Conservation & This Channel 👉 Calendars & Prints linked below. https://www.spencerleephotography.com 🤙 FOLLOW Instagram: @spencerlee808, @splashzone_808, @simplejourney84 ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00: The Question 00:56: The Drain That Skunked Us 02:19: First Pueo Hunt 04:51: Palila Trail 06:39: Pueo Pivot 14:05: Pele's Well 17:46: Pu'u ʻŌʻō 23:29: The Doubt Returns 24:57: Seascape Redemption 31:13: The Hawaiian Hawk 33:12: The Final Pueo Hunt 37:11: The Answer 📸 Main Photo & Video Gear (Some links may be affiliate links, which help support the channel at no extra cost to you.) Backpack: Nomatic PM 25L: https://bhpho.to/3L2VscW ThinkTank Backlight Sprint: https://amzn.to/48fQoKN Shimoda (“Lee10” for 10% off): https://shimodadesigns.com/action-x/ Cameras: Sony a1ii: https://bhpho.to/487Ql2p Sony a7v: https://bhpho.to/4jpJOFD Sony ZVE1: https://bhpho.to/4rvrtL4 Meta Oakley HSTN: https://bhpho.to/47ZmpXu iPhone 17 Pro Max: https://amzn.to/4o3TYfV Lenses: Sony 300mm GM: https://bhpho.to/3KaBcpc Sigma 20-200: https://bhpho.to/4a8IV1u Sony 14mm GM: https://bhpho.to/3MXf0jw Sony 16mm: https://bhpho.to/3LTtLDo Teleconverters: 2x: https://bhpho.to/3KdT56p 1.4x: https://bhpho.to/4rdRJJw Drones: DJI Mavic 4 Pro: https://bhpho.to/4jlmNn6 DJI Mini 4 Pro: https://bhpho.to/4aFOIMt Tripods: FLM: https://bhpho.to/3XdcmrD Ballhead: https://bhpho.to/48es5vA PD Pro Lite: https://bhpho.to/4aJG2EQ