The wonderful world of Multi-Media

While my primary focus has been creating videos that tell a story, the world of storytelling has really evolved and grown more complex over the past few years with clients now needing media in many various forms and flavors.  Over the past year, I've been expanding into written content (American Angler article, ZEAL blog stories, Orvis articles, Storehouse & Steller stories, etc.).  Facebook, blogs, Storehouse app, and the Steller app to name a few outlets provide excellent platforms for clients to reach out and tell their stories to a wide audience.  In addition to more written and photographic content, I've also been supplying video in different formats to again reach different audiences.  The video below is a standard 1080p video to be embedded anywhere on the web, but I also created a fifteen second Instagram version for SKILOGIK to use on their Instagram feed (@SKILOGIK).

It's an exciting time.  Democratization of storytelling is hitting its stride bringing an unparalleled ability to get out there and tell a story in an almost unlimited way.  This freedom does come with its own set of difficulties; number one being the problem of standing out amongst the din of so much constant media.  I believe a strong focus on the message, the branding, and specialization to hone the message to a select audience is the only way to successfully catch the attention of audience members.

Time will tell which outlets stand the test of time, but in the meantime it's a very fun time in history.  Within moments of an event, that photo/story/video can be shared through a multitude of outlets.  With a bit more time to refine the media - to edit, enhance, contemplate a bit more outside of the excitement of the moment - the story can be made even better.  This is the exciting part to me.  There are so many stories out there to be told.  So many interesting people.  With technology being affordable and outlets being accessible this truly is the Golden Age of Creativity.

EXPLORE MORE: SEATTLE

(I originally wrote this article for the ZEAL Optics website where it accompanied a photo essay from my recent trip to Seattle.)

What does ‘explore more’ mean to me?  Well, I know it’s not limited to grabbing a passport, hopping on a transoceanic flight, and paddling in a dugout canoe to some far flung corner of the globe.  ‘Explore More’ is a mindset.  It’s about seeking out unique moments and new experiences where ever you can find them.  

Whether it’s eating at a new mom and pop taqueria in town, skiing a new area, or floating down a remote river with friends -- these are the experiences I look for and what I consider to be ‘exploring.’

Recently, I traveled back to Seattle; the city of my youth.  My best friend from high school picked me up at the airport, and we spent the day roaming around various neighborhoods taking photos and 'exploring.'

A camera is a great excuse to slow down, to look at the details, and it’s your ticket to ‘explore more.’  To stroll the sidewalks, check out the alleyways, study architectural details, to walk into stores, restaurants, tattoo parlors, coffee shops and begin conversations with people from every walk of life.  At the end of the day I had a fresh view of the city I thought I already knew so well.

You don’t have to travel far to do this.  Just visit a place you’ve never been to before.  Invite a friend.  Get out of your car.  Walk around.  Strike up a conversation with a stranger.  Order a meal you can’t pronounce.

Want to ‘explore more?’  Then stop reading this article and head outside.  You don’t have to have a ticket to a foreign land to be an explorer, just a mindset to get out and experience something new.  The world is waiting.