Every now and again in the course of general conversation, I'll complain about some aspect of my work. I might whine about performing some insanely mundane task, or perhaps an idea I particularly liked got shot down by a colleague.

But compared to most of my friends, me complaining about my job is like someone complaining about winning the lottery.

In fact, most of those friends reply "Shut up," when I remark how challenging it can be to juggle multiple freelance assignments that include such stressful chores such as going fishing, flying in helicopters, and attending boat shows. Truth is, I'm lucky to be able to write about and photograph things that interest me, and I get to do some pretty cool things from time to time. Yes, I love my job.

So, with that in mind, I decided to digitally flip back through the last ten years to get some work-related perspective for the next time I feel like whining. I hope you enjoy looking at them (and being on the water) as much as I do. (All photos copyright Gary Reich.)

The Jolly Rover sets out from Key West, FL, in search of the green flash at sunset on December 22, 2010. I took the photo as part of a story on exploring Key West as a boater for a national boating publication. Photo: Gary Reich

The Jolly Rover sets out from Key West, FL, in search of the green flash at sunset. I took the photo as part of a story on boaters exploring Key West.



ABN AMRO, a Volvo 60, crosses in front of Thomas Point Light on Chesapeake Bay on April 17, 2006 during the 2005-2006 Volvo Ocean Race. I covered the Chesapeake finish as part of a story for a local sailing magazine. ABN AMRO would continue on to secure first place overall in the long-distance ocean contest. Photo: Gary Reich

ABN AMRO crosses in front of Thomas Point Light on Chesapeake Bay during the 2005-2006 Volvo Ocean Race. I covered the Chesapeake finish as part of a story for a local sailing magazine. ABN AMRO would continue on to secure first place overall in the long-distance ocean contest.



Talk about a lot of boats! An aerial view of Northport Harbor, NY, taken October 17, 2004 from a Cessna 172 aircraft. The aerial shoot was part of a project I was charged with to illustrate a well-known cruising guide. Photo: Gary Reich

Talk about a lot of boats! An aerial view of Northport Harbor, NY, taken October 17, 2004 from a Cessna 172 aircraft. The aerial shoot was part of a project to illustrate a well-known cruising guide for boaters.



A captain speeds past the Cape Lookout Lighthouse at sunrise with a flock of ducks as a backdrop on his way to find the big ones. The photo was taken as part of a story I wrote for a local powerboating magazine on the false albacore fishing run that happens there every year. Photo: Gary Reich

A fisherman passes the Cape Lookout Lighthouse in North Carolina at sunrise. The photo was taken on October 10, 2005, part of a story on the false albacore fishing run that happens there every year.



A juvenile osprey makes a fuss at Jug Bay off the Patuxent River, August 4. 2013. We banded a half dozen young ospreys as part of a tracking program undertaken by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and I wrote a story about it for national boating magazine's blog. Photo: Gary Reich

A juvenile osprey makes a fuss at Jug Bay off the Patuxent River in Maryland. We banded a half dozen young ospreys as part of a tracking program undertaken by U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and I wrote a story about it.



The Annapolis Yacht Club Wednesday Night Races kick off in the Severn River, July 10, 2012. The photograph was taken from a Robinson R44 helicopter as part of a freelance assignment about Chesapeake boating destinations. Photo: Gary Reich

The Annapolis Yacht Club Wednesday Night Races kick off in the Severn River. The photograph was taken on July 10, 2012 from a Robinson R44 helicopter.

Written by: Gary Reich
Gary Reich is a Chesapeake Bay-based freelance writer and photojournalist with over 25 years of experience in the marine industry. He is the former editor of PropTalk Magazine and was the managing editor of the Waterway Guide. His writing and photography have been published in PassageMaker Magazine, Soundings, Fly Fishing in Salt Waters, Yachting Magazine, and Lakeland Boating, among others.