Preparing for my next project, two months in Baja, I was running errands all day and got caught up in Carson City, Nevada at an optometrists appointment. While the eye-doctor was very kind by saying, “You know you are handsome, model handsome” I wanted to get my contact prescription and head out to photograph the final supermoon of the year.

There was no intention of making this documentary, but as the summits ticked and I kept pressing record, a story unfolded. I guess that is the luck of the draw when you put yourself in the right position. If you are here as a fellow peak bagger, I hope you enjoy the film. If you are here as a filmmaker, I hope these lessons help you along your journey.

Over the past 10 years I have developed a distribution system I call, “Follow the Journey” to bring viewers along virtually on these kinds of trips. While I don’t have a massive following, 50-something thousand in total, this distribution system is designed to engage viewers over and over again through a variety of formats as well platforms. The secret is staging and diversity.

Getting out of the car, today’s walk was going to be short and full. Kristin and Chestnut were joining me for the evening stroll. Yes, it’s day two of my personal challenge to go for a daily photo walk, and this one was a close call. Today was filled with an afternoon of chores; taking Chestnut to the vet, donating stuff to Goodwill, and more boring things like that. The real life of a photographer, am I right?!

As a kid, I dreamed of traveling the world and telling stories, but there was no clear path to making this happen. I had role models who gave me insights into what living your dream life looked like, but no industry connections for telling stories. So, when I started down my path of living my dream life, I looked to my greatest roll models to figure out how they were able to live their dream lives.

For the last decade, I have called Lake Tahoe my home and there are few spots that I return to several times throughout a year. However, Bonsai Rock, on the northeast shore of the lake, is one of those places.

Who still uses day rates when hiring a photographer? This is what I'm seeing...

Part of the industry is clinging to day rates meanwhile another part of the industry is looking towards photographers to be the producer, creative director, editor, photographer, etc. 

There are stupid ideas and then there are creative itches you have to scratch. This hike to a "hidden waterfall" in Alaska was kinda both.

Many of us return from a trip, drop our gear on the floor of our now dusty rooms, and head for a quick shower hoping to feel whole again. While the hot water feels great, processing a trip doesn’t happen that fast. But, clean is always a better feeling than being dirty. Yet, the “to do list” when arriving home is lengthy:

Sitting here on my couch, feeling excited and a bit bummed, I’m reflecting on why I keep trying to make this failing side hustle work. Again and again and again and again and again, it has failed in one way or another. Yet, I keep iterating and grinding away hoping to make this side hustle a reality.

Four years ago, I photographed my first hotel, for free, to start a hospitality portfolio.

As far as smooth productions go, this one was clean and easy, after a few hiccups to start. Getting the tires on the Ford Bronco was a challenge as the car arrived late to the shop, delaying the scouting day. Good thing we booked two scouting days and I had visited this area countless times for rock climbing!

I overlooked one of the smallest details during pre-production and it almost jeopardized this entire campaign.

That detail: overnight parking at the trailhead

Here's how I fixed it without the client ever knowing (yes, if they read this it will be the first time they ever know about this mistake).

There is something about having a mountain of debt, no inbound leads, no business model, and youth that makes you sit back to reflect upon the compounding dumb decisions you have made up to this point. At least for me, that was the case.

For most adventure photographers, one-off shoots are the natural entry point into the business. A single project might cover an expedition, a branded social media campaign, or a weeklong assignment with an outdoor company. These opportunities are exciting, often highly creative, and a great way to get your foot in the door.

Adventure photography is exciting, creative, and deeply rewarding — but it’s also a business. One of the best ways to keep your photography career sustainable is to create multiple revenue streams. Not everything will be “hot” all the time, so having different income sources gives you balance, consistency, and room to grow.

When you step into the world of adventure photography, you’re not just a creative—you’re also a business owner. That means your success depends not only on how well you shoot, but also on how well you run your business. Many photographers fall into the trap of spending all their time “in” their business—editing, emailing, and shooting—while neglecting the bigger picture of working “on” their business. To build something sustainable, you need both.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned as an adventure photographer is that photo licensing belongs in every contract. It protects your work, ensures you get paid fairly, and prevents misunderstandings with clients. Without clear licensing terms, you’re leaving the value of your images up to interpretation, which can lead to disputes or lost income.

In photo licensing, usage refers to where and how a client is allowed to use your images. It is one of the three key elements of licensing, along with duration and exclusivity, and it directly affects the value of your work. Understanding usage helps you price your projects fairly and protects your ability to monetize your images in the future.