As 2025 comes to a close, I’ve found myself wanting to pause — to look back on the year month by month and reflect on the moments that shaped it. Some were incredibly joyful, some deeply challenging, and many reminded me just how intertwined life, family, and creativity truly are.
This year asked a lot of us. But it also gave back in unexpected ways.
January
After a recharging holiday in Hawai‘i, we returned home to Los Angeles expecting a quiet start to the year. Instead, January began with one of the most frightening days our family — and so many others — have ever experienced.
On January 7th, fierce winds fueled wildfires in the Pacific Palisades, where our children went to school and many of our closest friends lived. What began as a red-flag warning quickly escalated into mandatory evacuations. Within hours, we were packing essentials, picking up the kids, and watching flames move across the hillsides.
That night, we made the decision to drive north to Montecito and take refuge at the Getaway House. It was meant to be temporary. Instead, it became our new home.
We were incredibly fortunate — our Los Angeles home sustained damage but survived. Many friends lost everything. The emotional weight of that day, and the collective trauma felt across the city, is something that will take years to process. But in the midst of loss, we were met with overwhelming kindness and support from the Montecito community. Slowly, we began to rebuild, grounding ourselves in optimism and gratitude for what we could not control — but how we chose to move forward.
February
After such a heavy start to the year, February brought a long-planned family trip to Africa, and it arrived at exactly the right moment.
Traveling with Jeff, the kids, and my parents, the experience was grounding in a way that’s hard to put into words. We witnessed extraordinary wildlife, shared unforgettable family moments, and I was able to capture aerial images from a helicopter — scenes so breathtaking they still feel surreal.
Those images will be released next year as part of a new Africa series, unlike anything I’ve done before. More than that, the trip gave us perspective. It reminded us of the power of nature, connection, and stepping outside of the familiar to reset.
March
In March, news broke that the historic Neiman Marcus flagship in downtown Dallas — my hometown — was set to close. The announcement felt deeply personal. Neiman Marcus played such a formative role in my life, from flipping through The Christmas Book as a kid to interning there in high school, to later seeing my work carried in their stores.
What followed was a whirlwind. My team and I worked at lightning speed to bring a concept to life: a longhorn photographed in front of the iconic store, a tribute to Texas pride and a brand that shaped me. The response was overwhelming, and incredibly, the store’s closing was extended.
Sometimes creativity is about preservation. This series was exactly that.
April
April brought one of the most meaningful projects of my career: Pride Beach™ in collaboration with the City of Miami Beach and the Boucher Brothers.
As an LGBTQ+ artist, husband, and father, this project was deeply personal. Designing and photographing a beach I helped create — one rooted in inclusion, visibility, and joy — felt incredibly full circle. Seeing the vibrant umbrellas and cabanas from above, knowing it would live on year-round, remains one of my proudest moments.
May
In May, we finally released Dogs of Baseball, shot at Citi Field in partnership with Major League Baseball and the New York Mets. Combining America’s favorite pastime with one of my favorite muses was pure fun — playful, nostalgic, and timeless.
And for baseball fans… let’s just say this may not be the last inning.
June
June took us to Martha’s Vineyard for a shoot I had dreamed of for years. The island holds such personal meaning — my grandparents’ home, childhood summers, and memories layered into every corner.
We photographed the island coast to coast, partnering with local artisans and small businesses to capture its rhythm and charm. From historic landmarks to Jaws filming locations, the goal was to create something locals and visitors alike would recognize and love.
July
After months of travel and production, July was intentionally slower. That said, we did sneak in one special trip: a visit to Nantucket for Design Week, where we had the chance to experience the island in a different way and cross paths with the one and only Martha Stewart. It was a pinch-me moment!
August
In August, we released the Martha’s Vineyard series. Seeing the images out in the world — and hearing from those who felt a connection to them — was incredibly rewarding.
This wasn’t a shoot we could just show up and execute, it required months of preparation, research, and thoughtful coordination to do it right.
We also got to finally spend time in Michigan with family — reconnecting, resting, and enjoying the simple moments that ground everything else we do.
September
September brought us back to Hawai‘i for a major shoot at the Four Seasons Hualālai, where I reunited with the Aqualillies. The experience was electric, joyful, and creatively fulfilling. Hualalai is a very special place for my family over the years, and I enjoyed every second of getting to honor the property and the spirit of aloha.
October
October was all about celebration. The MacKenzie-Childs collaboration launched, and I traveled to New York to mark the occasion. Seeing the collection come to life — colorful, joyful, and full of personality — was a true highlight.
November & December
As the year began to slow, November brought with it a moment we had been eagerly waiting for — the release of the Hualālai series. After months of anticipation, seeing those images finally shared was incredibly rewarding. The response was overwhelming in the best way, and it was so special to watch people connect with the joy, movement, and sense of escape we felt while creating them. Working with the Aqualillies again in such a beautiful setting reminded me why collaboration and place matter so deeply in my work.
December has been all about embracing the holidays and leaning into a quieter rhythm. Time with family, familiar traditions, and moments of reflection have taken center stage, along with a growing excitement for what’s ahead. As we close out 2025, I’m feeling grateful, inspired, and ready to carry everything this year taught us into 2026.
Here’s to the year behind us — and the adventures still to come.
Cheers,
Gray