I live in Colorado Springs next to a park, and there is a tree is visible from my back yard. On January 11th & 12th, 2015 we had a winter storm that brought ice, snow and fog to the area. As I was in my kitchen preparing lunch on the 12th, I happened to notice how nice this tree looked covered in ice and snow. I took a photo of it and was inspired to start this blog. For the next year my plan is to take a photo of the tree every day. I will post those photos here and create a slideshow with them after 365 days. This project illustrates how photography allows you to see things differently. I never looked at the tree this way before, and now I am checking it several times a day in order to spot something unusual. I hope to make each photo different in some way.
Update 11/16/16
I have added more dates for showings and presentations!
- High Country Newcomers November 21, 2016 (presentation)
- Featured artist for December at Cacao Chemistry 109 N. Tejon in Colorado Springs. Opening Dec. 2, 2016 from 5-8 pm. (display)
- Local weight-loss group, January 10, 2017 (presentation)
- Front Range Urban Forestry Council, January 19, 2017 (presentation)
- Denver Library District, Cherry Creek Branch, February 1, 2017. Opening reception and presentation from 5-8 pm, month-long display.
- Lone Tree Photography Club, February 20, 2017, 7 pm. (presentation)
- Featured artist for March at Godec’s Photo Supply, 25 S. Sierra Madre in Colorado Springs. Opening reception March 3, 2017. (display)
- Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region. Quarterly art display April-June 2017, opening reception May 5, 2017.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness Colorado Springs, February 7, 2017. (presentation)
Update 9/16/16
On August 12 “Same Tree, Different Day” was part of Blissfest333. This was the debut of the prints that were made with the money raised through the Indiegogo campaign. Thanks to all those who donated! The presentation was well received, and I sold 1 print!
I presented the project and my prints at the September 14th meeting of Pikes Peak Neighbors. The members were very excited to have me there, and I booked another presentation with a different organization in January.
I’m very excited that I have presentations and art showings booked through the 1st half of 2017. Here’s a look at the schedule:
- Colorado Springs Art Guild, September 27, 2016 (presentation)
- Pikes Peak Arts Council Awards Banquet, October 4, 2016 (Same Tree, Different Day was nominated in the category of “Outstanding Exhibit.”)
- Council of Neighbors and Organizations, October 7, 2016 (opening art reception and presentation, 1-month art display)
- Local weight-loss group, January 10, 2017 (presentation)
- Front Range Urban Forestry Council, January 19, 2017 (presentation)
- Denver Library District, Cherry Creek Branch, February 1, 2017 (opening art reception and presentation, 1-month art display)
- Godec’s Photo Supply, March 3, 2017 (opening art reception, 1-month art display)
- Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region (quarterly art display, April-June 2017)
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (presentation, date TBD)
Update 5/24/16
Watch this video about me and the project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlaiGmGPl80
What started out as an exercise in creativity ended up being much more than a collection of photographs. I realized that my story and the story of the tree could have a huge impact on people in communities everywhere. The method I used to reach my goal and the lessons I learned throughout this project have become just as important as the photographs themselves. Contributing to my Indiegogo campaign will allow me to bring this story to anyone in need of inspiration.
One tree and one year is what it took for me to find my voice. I want to share this experience with as many people as possible.
As someone who deals with 3 disabling illnesses (fibromyalgia, depression and chemical sensitivities) I strongly believe that this project has the power to inspire others to achieve their goals and live lives full of awareness.
If one tree can have this much of an impact on me and those who become aware of this project and its lessons, imagine what 1,000 trees or 1,000,000 trees could do to change our world in a positive way.
Your contributions and your willingness to share this information on social media will help bring the messages of this project to more people and inspire others to create similar projects with their own positive messages. I plan to present this project and its lessons through any organization that is willing to have me bring inspiration to others, so please contact me if you would like me to speak at your event.
This project and the slideshow I created with all of the photos from the year were debuted on April 15, 2016 during an Arbor Day event that I hosted at Library 21c in Colorado Springs. The event was a collaboration between myself, the Trails and Open Space Coalition, the Council of Neighbors and Organizations, the Colorado Springs Conservatory, the Therapeutic Recreation Program of Colorado Springs, the Pikes Peak Library Distrct and Jay Billup’s Creative Magazine.
Here’s what people had to say about the presentation:
“This was a wonderful evening. Very thought provoking and inspiring. Mike, your insights into your journey with this project were profound. Thank you for sharing it with us. I loved the quote you showed at the beginning of the program and will make a point to follow it each day and remind myself to be open and really see the beauty that is right in front of us. Thank you also to the emcee and the library and all those who helped make this presentation possible. Well worth the drive from Golden.” Rosalyn
“Thank you Mike for sharing your voice and encouraging all of us to find ours. It was amazing to see all the various people and organizations you brought together for this project. There truly is beauty all around us in the people and places of our lives. Thank you for lifting up this simple truth in such a beautiful and artistic way :)” Jon Sargent – Seeing the presentation inspired Jon to write a blog post and a poem.
“I really enjoyed your presentation Mike. I too have Fibromyalgia and have gone through a process of learning to motivate myself and stay positive while living with a disability. Creativity and discipline have helped me a lot. Thank you for the inspiration.” Ayomi Meadows
“Awesome presentation Mike! What a commitment – every day for a year. The project was inspirational but your journey was the best part. Thanks so much for sharing so much about yourself, this journey and the impact it had on you! It is evident! Congrats on such a great turnout!” Marti Harvey
“Beautiful evening – enjoyed by all. Thank you, Mike.” Sandy V.
“Great presentation Mike! Love the story of your project and of the pictures! Thank you for the inspiration!” Sabine
“Fabulous presentation. Well thought out and appreciated by all who attended.” Olin Jones
“Very cool project and well presented.” James Van Hoy
“Outstanding presentation. Appreciated the honesty and sincerity with which you shared your story, Mike. And the emcee did a fine job as well. The library was a wonderful venue for the event, and it was nice that Sovereignty Wines and Bristol Brewing provided cocktails. Very nice event. Hope to attend more such things!” Brianne
“Excellent job Mike. That was a fantastic presentation!” Rick Randall
“All the kudos go to you for making such a wonderful event a reality. I loved the presentation, and we are thinking about how you can continue to show it to other groups. Great job, Mike.” Eileen Healy, Trails and Open Space Coalition
“Mike, we enjoyed the event. You had a great turnout and excellent program. Here’s hoping you get the opportunity to share it widely.” Susan Davies, Executive Director, Trails and Open Space Coalition
“What a great show! Congrats Mike, well done!” Laurel Prudhomme, Colorado Springs Downtown Parntership
“We enjoyed the evening, you deserved such a wonderful event. I hope good things come out of it for you.” Tim Board, KCMJ Music Director
“Great work, Mike!” Bobby Irwin, Cumulus Media
“Great job!” Jeff Cloutier, Godec’s Photo Supply
The project has also been given some good press:
Image Resource
Sean Cayton’s Blog on the Colorado Springs Independent
Our Town with Sarada Connors (scroll to my segment on 4/9/16)
I have also appeared on The Culture Zone on KCME and My Mountain Country’s Morning Show 107.3 FM.
Update 2/29/16
The photography portion of this project was completed on January 11, 2016, and I am happy to say that I have achieved my goal of creating a unique photo every day throughout the year. I am currently planning an event for Arbor Day on April 15, 2016 in conjunction with the Trails and Open Space Coalition, the Council of Neighborhood Organizations, the City of Colorado Springs’ forester and the Therapeutic Recreation Program, the Pikes Peak Library District, and the Colorado Springs Conservatory. This will be a celebration of our trees, parks and open spaces. The location is currently TBD.
Students from the Colorado Springs Conservatory will be creating the soundtrack for my slideshow and will hopefully play it live at the Arbor Day event. I am also trying to raise money to cover the expenses related to making display prints that I plan to use for this event as well as future exhibits.
There were so many lessons learned and messages realized that I plan to share this project with any organization that needs an inspirational presentation on either completing a similar project or reaching one’s goals. Please feel free to contact me through my website if you think the members of your organization can benefit from such a program (www.3peaksphoto.com).
Who would have thought a single tree could have such an impact on a community?
Same Tree, Different Day 
You know, for some reason I thought you were in Derbyshire, England. No idea why(!). The Happy Mothers’ Day made me wonder (in the UK, Mothers’ Day is in March).
It won’t stop me liking the tree and photos 😉
LikeLike
I’ve never been to England, but I’m glad you like my photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great idea! I really like the interaction of the people and wildlife. How about light painting the tree at night?
LikeLike
Thanks. I did some light painting.
LikeLike
Pingback: Same Tree, Different Day by Mike Pach February 20th 2017 @ 7 PM » Lone Tree Photography Club
Pingback: Same Tree, Different Day » Lone Tree Photography Club
Pingback: Same Tree, Different Day » Lone Tree Photography Club
Hi Mike,
First of all, I want to say thank you so much for sharing your story and the inspiration. I heard multiple statements throughout your presentation on how the universe or higher power always gave you what you needed to achieve your goal. I truly believe that He always does. Taking that time to listen and be aware like you said is an important aspect of discovering that. So thank you. Currently in my life that is one of the biggest techniques I have been trying to put into practice… Listening and following. His still small voice is always there. So thank you for that validation that it is true.
I felt compiled to share with you a little bit about myself. I am from Nevada and I am grateful to have had the privilege to get to meet you through your experiences. I personally have multiple disabilities that have changed my life forever, which includes my husband passing away at 30 years old. I have never been the same. I have been looking for that individual that I once was and that individual is there but in a different way. That statement you made about finding the beauty in the moment is something that I have been working on with my self discovery journey within myself and surrounding areas. Having the willingness and motivation is key. So thank you once again for the validation.
I believe it was very profound that this project was about a specific tree. The reason that I say that is because last year I was at my lowest, darkest place of my life and in the throws of my anorexia. I ended up going to treatment in Denver, what a wonderful place of recovery. Within my stay in treatment I had this yearning to complete a project that included a tree. For me the metaphor of the tree was me. As I grew within myself the tree would develop leaves of things that I would retrieve back that I have lost throughout the years of my disabilities. I never completed the project. The motivation to do so left as life began to get harder in many ways. I believe seeing your project was a call from my higher being to complete it.
I also have had messages of writing poetry and sharing my experience that way as well. I believe I could incorporate my writing, photography (which I love as well), which is another thing that I have dropped motivation towards and my metaphor of my tree (my growth). Around my neck I wear a tree to remind me of those moments. There is just so much I could share with you about this.
What I realized after the presentation is that perceptions of something or an event can change just by your thoughts and other outside influences happening around you. For me, this all has come full circle. Thank you once again. I believe that God presented this opportunity to hear you last night to encourage me to continue with my project.
I have also had the opportunity presented to me from another man in Nevada dealing with my poetry and wanting to put music to it and then presenting it to his group to be produced in some form. When that was presented to me, the first thought was no way. All that is is doubt. It is time to begin this dream and make it happen through God working through me.
Back in Nevada in July I am going to be attending a training to be able to begin sharing my story through NAMI. I am truly excited and I truly believe the connection of this opportunity and the others is the complete reasoning.
As i write this my heart fills with joy. I want to encourage you to continue to do what you can to continue to do this presentation and place that spark in others as well. Thank you so much. This presentation can definitely save lives in many walks of life.
LikeLike
Hi Crystal,
Thank you for attending my presentation last night and for your kind words. I am glad that you found inspiration in what I had to share. Helping others is the main motivation behind my presentations, and it’s nice to get that validation from people who truly understand what it’s all about. Do you mind if I share some or all of your comments to help me promote my lectures? I’m actually going to be entering National Geographic’s Chasing the Genius Challenge with the hope that I can bring this project to many more people.
I’m happy to hear that you are going to follow through with your own project. I have found that part of mindfulness is being open to accepting the people and situations that are presented to you that will help you achieve your goals because they were put there for a reason.
I wish you great success. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help.
LikeLike
WOW! This is really amazing. I too took a photograph of a tree located in Halifax N.S., in the spring – with no leaves. The tree I took a photo of was I am not sure what kind, but it was twisty all over in the branches and it had a big bump lower down in the trunk. My first thought on seeing the tree was that it belonged in a witch’s forest (recollection of Wizard of Oz). What really took me in was that I saw a kind of beauty in its “ugliness”. That tree was me. I printed it as a poster, framed it and it is hanging in my living room. General, people who come to my house and see the tree do not realize what it is or why it is important to me. They just seem to see an “ugly” tree. I went back to Halifax in the summertime a few years later and I found that same tree and took its photo with all the leaves. It looked totally different, all dressed up that you could not see the twisty turning branches. That is when I realized the inner beauty is what matters, even if it appears ugly at times. The tree was not as beautiful in its full foliage as it was without all the coverings of leaves.
The reason I found your website is that I am attending the CMHA national conference in Toronto in September. I was drawn to your presentation, yet unfortunately I will be attending another session which is at the same time. I am happy that you have your work posted on line, as I was feeling bad that I would miss it in Toronto.
Good luck with your presentation in Toronto. I am hoping to maybe track you down and say hello.
LikeLike
Hi Donna, thanks for the kind words and for sharing your story. I will be at the conference all three days and am hoping to connect with a vendor that will let me hang out at their booth on Tuesday and Wednesday to sell my calendars and talk to people about this project. What is your connection with CMHA?
LikeLike
I am attendng on the CMHA as a PWLE. I had actually attended the last two conferences. The people there are very wamr and welcoming and empathetic, if you need it. Actually, at the last conference in Montreal, I presentd a little bit of my story. It was a good experience for me, someone with social anxiety among other stuff. How much are the calendars? Cash or credit? I will look out for you.
LikeLike