100 Posts and Counting: A Look Back at My Blogging Journey
Filming on location in Providence, Rhode Island, one of many projects that have shaped the stories behind these 100 blog posts.
Hitting the 100 post mark feels a little surreal. I have spent more than thirty years capturing stories through photography and video while also building the websites that showcase them, and blogging has been a steady companion throughout that time. I am not someone who usually celebrates milestones in a big way, but this moment feels worth pausing for. It is a chance to look back at the work, the stories, and the evolution that brought me here.
A history built in HTML, Flash, WordPress and now Squarespace
My first websites were hand built in HTML. They were simple, sometimes clunky, and always a creative puzzle to solve. Flash came next, followed by a stretch of WordPress sites that grew as my business grew. Each one was a new chapter that reflected the tools and trends of the moment.
I sometimes wish I had an archive of all those sites in working order, and the blogs I wrote on those websites. They tell a history of their own. The look of the pages. The way I structured my work. The personality that came through, even in those early years.
Back then a group of corporate photographers, myself included, competed for that prized number one spot on Google. If not number one, at least the first page. The competition was friendly, but it was serious too. SEO was simpler in those days, the industry was smaller, and the race felt more personal. It is a funny memory now, but it shaped how I thought about online presence and the value of sharing useful information.
In 2017 I moved to my current Squarespace site and started blogging with more intention. Since then I have used this space to share travel reflections, project insights, behind the scenes details, and guidance for clients and peers.
Why blogging has always mattered to me
I have always enjoyed the blend of creativity, clarity and education that blogging allows. Photography and video are visual by nature, but writing lets me explain the thinking behind the images. It lets me share the process, the choices, and the lessons learned along the way. Many of my posts are educational because I genuinely enjoy helping people learn. And many are story driven because I believe that stories are how we connect.
A lifetime of learning
My journey behind the camera has always been an evolution. I learned on black and white film, then moved into color slide film, where every exposure had to be precise. Digital photography opened new doors, and video expanded my world even further. Today AI is becoming another tool in the creative mix. I am exploring it with curiosity and care, especially in areas like corporate headshots where expectations for quality and professionalism remain high.
If you are curious about how AI fits into my workflow, you can read my recent post about AI generated headshots: Exploring AI Generated Corporate Headshots: Are They Ready for Professional Use?
The tools change, but the learning never stops.
A few highlights from the journey
With one hundred posts behind me, a handful stand out as markers of the growth, the range, and the heart behind my work.
8 Steps for a Successful Headshot (2017) - My very first post on this current site. It set the tone for what would become years of educational writing. It is still one of the most practical guides I have created for clients.
From Fairway to Premiere: Creating a Lean Product Video for Birdie Polish - This recent project reminded me how much I enjoy breaking down the process behind a video. It covers logistics, planning, creative decisions and the collaborative spirit that makes a lean production successful.
Telling the Story of Security State Bank in Wewoka, Oklahoma - This community focused project means a lot to me. I have always valued telling stories of people and organizations that build something meaningful. Working on this award piece reinforced how powerful community storytelling can be.
Building Relationships, Not Just Projects - This post reflects lessons from my father and the early days of my career. Relationships have always mattered more than transactions. It is one of the most personal pieces I have written.
A Portrait in the Brewery: Photographing Boulevard Brewing Company’s Founder - A historical and narrative driven post that blends portrait work, place and the story behind a legacy. It is a reminder of why I love documenting people who shape their craft.
What I have learned along the way
Blogging consistently over the past few years taught me that sharing knowledge creates trust and connection. It pushed me to slow down and reflect on the decisions I make behind the camera and in the edit. It deepened my appreciation for the clients, collaborators and stories that shape my work. Most of all, it reminded me how much joy I get from teaching and storytelling.
A story that goes beyond blogging
My story does not live in the blog alone. Over the years I have continued to build new pages across my site, and the process has become its own source of clarity. I have always thought of my website as a kind of evolving business plan. Each time I create a page about my history, my services or my goals, I feel a stronger sense of purpose in how I share my work. It is also a place of reflection. With well over one hundred pages now, the site has grown into a record of the wonderful people I have met, the clients I have collaborated with, the crew I have worked beside and the moments I have captured through photography and video. The website tells my story as fully as the images and the words do.
Looking ahead
Reaching one hundred posts has inspired me to share more of my world outside of projects. My wife and I have lived on our twelve acres of Rhode Island woods for about eighteen months now. I find myself paying attention to the seasons, the quiet shifts in the landscape and the simple experiences that come with exploring this place. I write a short monthly update about life on the property and include it in my email newsletter. It has become a natural extension of my creative voice, a way to share what feeds my heart and soul and how the rhythm of this place shapes my work.
I will continue to write behind the scenes pieces, travel reflections, and tutorials that help people learn. And I look forward to the next hundred posts, wherever they may lead.
Thank you
Thank you for reading, for following along, and for being part of this journey. I am grateful for the work I get to do and for the chance to share it with you here. Here is to the stories behind us and the stories still ahead.