I quit being a photographer

I am many things to many people.

To my family, I am a husband and a father. A man that loves to watch horror movies to unwind and that bores them by talking about his prized Triumph Thruxton way too much. A person that feels most okay when he is home, with the people he loves drinking a cold Guinness and making his daughter laugh.

To past co-workers, clients, and managers, I've all been different things. When I was 20 years old, I facilitated high-ropes and team-building in Michigan. When I was in my early 30s, I designed and fabricated stage sets in Texas. The team I just left thought of me only as a photographer of guitars and people holding guitars.

I am the sum of my experiences but not any one part of the equation. I, like all of us, am the result of a complicated narrative that is a concoction of genetics, upbringing, education, experiences, and more. And I, like you, cannot be defined by any one thing.

I quit just being a photographer. Why should I have to limit myself to one title, one box, and one creative focus?

A little over four years ago, I left what I thought would be my last art director position. I stepped into my role as lead photographer for Taylor Guitars with tenacity and gratitude. I was hungry to learn and grow my skills. I did just that.

And then it was time to leave.

To figure out my own thing, to create my brand the way I wanted to create it. And I must admit, when I left, I just thought I was going to be creating images for clients. My job would be limited to the pixels that I create through my camera only.

This past month, I've been doing a lot of soul-searching, asking a lot of questions, and talking to a lot of folks with whom I value their opinions tremendously.

Recently, I've had several conversations that helped me define my focus a bit more and led me to land on what I'm truly passionate about. I would be lying if I were to tell you that I still don't love the design process. Helping shape the foundational visuals for a brand is something that I love. Working with the brand owner to really dig in, get our hands dirty and create something new from the ground up. I love everything about this creative process.

I can no longer separate my interest and skill in design from my interest and skill in photography.

That is why a large part of my business plan will be to focus on small businesses, start-ups, and entrepreneurs. Part graphic designer, part photographer, part coach. But holistically a creative, dedicated to telling stories, amplifying great brands, and creating images that inspire, motivate and produce action.

My job is to help small businesses win. Whatever that means.

May I ask you for heartfelt favor?

I would love it and be incredibly grateful if you passed my website along to folks that you think might need it.