Justin Veenema

Happy New Years, everyone! 🎉

Wanted to share my intentions for 2026 👇

(Not resolutions. Just some thoughts about what's ahead)

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📖 1. MORE INCREDIBLE STORIES


This year, I want to tell more stories. Therapy dogs. Search & rescue animals. The amazing humans I meet along the way.

My biggest challenge in 2025? I captured way more stories than I could share - video editing is sooo time-intensive. 🥲

So in 2026, I'm mixing it up: image posts, carousels, different video formats & lengths. Whatever gets these stories out into the world.

(P.S. If I photographed you and haven't posted it yet… it's coming!)

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🤝 2. MORE CONNECTIONS

I've met so many incredible people on this journey, and I want to keep that momentum going in 2026.

I share a lot of stories about the people I photograph, but there are just as many amazing stories happening behind the camera too.

After all, it's not really about the photos we take—it's about the people we meet along the way.

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⚡️ 3. REKINDLING MY CREATIVE SPARK

In the last half of 2025, I found myself spending more time on admin, emails, and video editing than actually taking photos. I was more "content creator" than "photographer." 🫣

Photography has always been my greatest passion. As creatives, we need to nurture that flame and lean into our curiosities.

This year I'm getting back to my roots. Learning new techniques, experimenting with editing, pushing my creative boundaries. Growing as a photographer, not just as a content machine.

You might see me share some of that journey too. 😊

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⚖️ 4. FINDING BALANCE

I love this community. I'm so grateful this is my job. Truly.

But I'm learning that sustainable creativity needs space—for health, family, friends, and life outside the camera.

I'll be spending more time volunteering this year, including photographing shelter dogs and working with the BC Children's Hospital pet
therapy program.

So if I post a little less, know it's so I can show up better when I do. Quality and depth over the content hamster wheel.

I'm still figuring this out. But that's the intention.

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Lastly, I just wanted to say thank you 🙏

For being here. For understanding. For being the best community on the planet.

Let's make 2026 about connection, creativity, and making the world feel a little smaller (and a whole lot friendlier). 💛

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1 month ago | [YT] | 3,585

Justin Veenema

I've seen a LOT of questions asking who that girl is that's been translating in my Japan series videos...

So here she is!

This is Rina, a Japanese photographer (and friend of mine) who is based out of Osaka.

Rina reached out via DM when she saw that David and I were visiting Japan. She offered to help show us around and help us translate, so we ended up linking up with her in Osaka.

But Rina and I quickly became good friends, so she ended up joining us for a few days in Kyoto as well.

Rina has taught Japanese/English for a number of years, so her translation skills came in super handy throughout this trip. I couldn't have got some of these shots without her help... so thank you Rina! 🙏

Go check out her photography work here (and tell her I sent you!):
www.instagram.com/rina_photo_jpn/

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1 month ago | [YT] | 6,814

Justin Veenema

👇 How I make my photos *pop*

This question comes up a LOT, so I thought I'd address it.

Most people think my photos look this way because I have a fancy camera. But that isn’t the case! 🚫

I actually use a bunch of different cameras, ranging from a $1000 point and shoot, to a full professional Sony camera. Most people can't tell the difference, because it's less about the camera, and more about the editing.

Every photo I take is edited with one tool - Lightroom. It’s a free app on your phone and it lets you brighten, fix colors, add depth, sharpen details, the whole deal.

The photos that typically come straight out of my cameras look like the example on the left. Flat, a little dull, nothing special.

But over the years I created my own Lightroom presets specifically for pets. 🐾

These presets instantly bring the photo to life - including richer colors, better fur, and cleaner shadows. I use these on every photo I took (including photos I take with my phone).

This is the magic behind all of my photos 🪄 and they're made to be easy to use for beginners. They also come with a 30-min tutorial that teaches you exactly how to use them, step-by-step.

You can download them here:
justinveenema.com/presets

1 month ago | [YT] | 2,553

Justin Veenema

👋 Hey y'all - I need your feedback! I'm editing the next long-form video and I'm curious which format you'd prefer.

Vote below - or drop a comment if you have any specific thoughts you'd like to share!

2 months ago | [YT] | 234

Justin Veenema

What did y'all think of the Kygo video? 😂

2 months ago | [YT] | 1,445

Justin Veenema

I just published a new video with a guest interviewer! Can y'all give it some love? 🙏 P.S. This is a little different from my usual videos, would love to hear your feedback on it!

2 months ago | [YT] | 127

Justin Veenema

Y'all remember Halston? I photographed him and his little brother Grand Central Station in NYC a few videos back.

Well... the rescue organization that raised him got in touch and sent me some photos of him as a puppy.

And they are EVERYTHING 🥰

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2 months ago | [YT] | 4,989

Justin Veenema

Carter and I are OVERWHELMED with all the birthday love yesterday!

Best community on the planet 🥹💙

2 months ago | [YT] | 788

Justin Veenema

Can y'all help me wish my dog a happy birthday? Carter just turned 13! 🎂💙

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2 months ago | [YT] | 7,445

Justin Veenema

Some dogs that photographed in Brooklyn recently 📸

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2 months ago | [YT] | 2,748