Why Experience Matters: Navigating the Twists and Turns of Photography and Video Productions
There’s something you just can’t fake in this line of work: experience.
Over the years, I’ve traveled the world photographing and filming in every imaginable location—labs, boardrooms, beaches, factories, you name it. And I’ve learned that success in production isn’t just about the perfect lens or light—it’s about staying calm and creative when things don’t go as planned.
One person who’s deeply influenced how I operate is my stepmom, Peg. (Let’s be honest—“stepmom” doesn’t quite capture it. She’s more like a travel wizard with a headset and a heart.) Peg has been a travel agent for decades, and more than once, she’s saved my productions with her quick thinking and experience.
I remember one stretch where I was on a project that sent me to a new city and state every week for six weeks straight. I’d land home for a day or two, do laundry, pack again, and hit the road. It was a blast, but a logistical blur.
On one trip, we missed our connecting flight and were told we’d be stuck overnight. As my assistant and I walked through the terminal, trying to figure out our options, I called Peg. She asked what airport we were in and where we were trying to go. Honestly, I couldn’t remember—I’d been in so many cities I had to dig out my production guide just to confirm. My assistant quickly filled in the details, and Peg jumped into action. Within minutes, she found an alternate flight that we sprinted to and made—barely. We arrived just in time for our assignment the next morning.
That’s just one of many times Peg saved the day. She’s like an air traffic controller for creative chaos. Watching how she navigates cancellations, reroutes, and high-stakes honeymoons has shown me what true production excellence looks like.
Because in this field, things will go sideways.
You might show up and realize the “perfect” room for a video interview is way too small. Or a CEO decides at the last minute they want to be photographed in a totally different space—after your crew spent two hours setting up the approved setting. Or you drive out to a beach in Georgia only to realize the producer misread the tide chart and the sand is underwater.
That last one really happened. But we pivoted, shuffled the schedule, and found a new location that turned out even better, allowing us to return to the original location the next day. This shift in our production ended up being one of the hero shots for the campaign.
These are the moments that make me love what I do. Every project brings a new set of surprises, from weather to lighting to personalities. And it’s in those curveballs that the real storytelling happens.
Peg taught me that great producing—whether it’s for a vacation or a video—means solving problems gracefully, staying calm under pressure, and helping people feel supported. Sometimes it’s about logistics, sometimes it’s emotional support. And sometimes, it’s both.
In my work, I strive to be that steady hand for my clients. To troubleshoot on the fly, make creative decisions quickly, and always—always—keep moving forward.
Because when experience meets flexibility, even the unexpected can become something beautiful.