It's Time to Have a Chat...

... So let's go on a journey together!

Hello, everyone!

I’ve been thinking deeply about how to proceed with this newsletter, my website, and so much more.

It comes to this: I want to have more pure fun in 2024 and help you and me push creative boundaries.

The one thing I know (and for those of you who know me personally, it’s probably not a surprise): I LOVE HELPING PEOPLE! I want this newsletter and all of my stuff to reflect that.

I was a public high school teacher for almost 20 years. Here is what my classroom looked like:

I taught photography, video, podcasting, yearbook, newspaper, magazine production, and much, much more.

“Taught” is not how I’d describe it, though. More than anything, I wanted to make my classroom a fun place where students could bring their full selves into the classroom and do things they WANTED to do.

I viewed school as a two-way street with the students participating as much as I was. Honestly, I wanted to be the quietest voice in the classroom - the students should be the ones leading.

Why?

Because most of what people face in school is stupid. It’s boring. It crushes creativity. I wanted my classroom to be the opposite of that. And while it was CRAZY at times, it was also a ton of fun.

(The key to good teaching? PIZZA!)

What does this have to do with this Newsletter? My YouTube? With you?

Because I think there is a lot of noise out there that doesn’t matter.

There are so many pundits and “influencers” in the photography/creative space who say they have the answers.

THEY DON’T. I don’t either.

But together we can find a way.

So to celebrate this, I want to throw away the rules, let go of fear, and have more fun in 2024.

I think you should too, which is why 'I’d love to hear from you. That’s why I created something for us!

LET’S CHAT IT UP!

Today I’m also announcing a brand new addition to my newsletter: subscriber chat.

This is a conversation space in the Substack app that I set up exclusively for you — kind of like a group chat or live hangout. I’ll post short prompts, thoughts, and updates that come my way, and you can jump into the discussion.

You can also post photos, get feedback, and much more.

Why did I create this? I want to have a back-and-forth with awesome photographers and creatives in 2024, and I honestly hate Facebook. This is a great way for us to keep in touch without all the negativity and distraction that comes from logging into social media platforms.

I also wanted to get back to my teaching roots, where having fun conversations was the foundation to forward progress.

I love this stuff. I want to help more people love it too.

To join our chat, you’ll need to download the Substack app, now available for both iOS and Android. Chats are sent via the app, not email, so turn on push notifications so you don’t miss conversation as it happens.

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How to get started

1. Download the app by clicking this link or the button below. Substack Chat is now available on both iOS and Android.

2. Open the app and tap the Chat icon. It looks like two bubbles in the bottom bar, and you’ll see a row for my chat inside.

3. That’s it! Jump into my thread to say hi, and if you have any issues, check out Substack’s FAQ.

Don’t want to download another app?

No problem! Just email me or find me on my socials and reach out. Say hi. Tell me what you want out of 2024, and I’ll do the best I can to help you.

A sincere “thank you” goes out to you for being here.

Finally, just for fun, here’s a pic of me and my family…

That awesome woman? That’s my wife, Casey. She’s an awesome writer and the most amazingly creative, inspiring and positive person I know. That little kid? That’s my son, and he’s the best thing in the history of the planet.

I’m lucky… I know that.

Again - THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

Till next time!