Give Some Photos Away, Get Invited To Speak at The Apple Store


I've been using Unsplash for various work projects since they launched and a few months ago decided to "give back" in my own way. I selected some photos I shot that I considered to be my favorites (and ones that I thought might just be good enough for the Unsplash crowd) and uploaded them to my account. Turns out, some of them were well received.

Back in August, a photo that I took with my iPhone was featured at the Apple Store in Montreal during an Unsplash event. It was blown up to something like 40”x56” which is awesome and something I wish I could’ve seen in person.

Well recently, Unsplash invited me to two more events. One was an event at the SoHo Apple Store and the other was a very casual get together where I was their featured photographer. Both in New York City, which I love visiting whenever I can.





Why am I telling you this? Because while I don't consider myself a professional photographer, I think it's kind of amazing that Unsplash opened some doors that I'm sure many would be jealous of. If photography is your business, wouldn't you want to show off your work like this?

What I'm recommending is that you give something away (Jeff Goins gets this idea). In my case it was photos, in yours it may be consulting time.

I feel confident in saying that if I didn't give my photos away on Unsplash, I wouldn't have been asked to be on a three person panel in front of 70 people at the SoHo Apple Store. While I don't know what's going to come from my [limited] involvement with Unsplash, I'm proud to have been given the opportunities they've extended.

Consider loosening your grip and you may be amazed at what possibilities present themselves.

Items of Want 036

Anyone that knows me knows I'm a big fan of pocket notebooks. But I'm also a sucker for anything that has a topographic design element to it. These new notebooks check both of those boxes and the only difficult question is which color notebook to go with.

"From the highest peaks to the deepest valleys, the world has plenty in store for the adventurous at heart. It’s this sense of exploration, along with the unexplainable beauty of a topographic map, that’s inspired the latest series of Word. Notebooks."

Pack Config Recon Patch

A well designed and thought out morale patch worth adding to the collection. Not sure what morale patches are? Check out the history of them here. "Reconnaissance, in it’s simplest form, is about exploring an unknown territory to gain information. This Recon patch represents our willingness to explore and report back on our findings. For many this takes the form of photographs that remind us of our own experiences and inspire others to discover for themselves. For others it serves as a reminder of the boldness it takes to travel to unknown and dangerous places.

Using vintage Navy Photographic Reconnaissance Squad patches as inspiration, the elements have been designed to allow the user to interpret for themselves. The aperture opening of a camera with a compass dial, or the barrel of a gun surrounded by crosshair markings? Whatever they mean for you, the focus is on the great outdoors."

Grivel Mont Blanc REI Limited-Edition Ice Axe

I don't have any kind of use for something like this, and I haven't even been an REI member for that long (5 years?) but this is cool. Cool enough for me to want it which makes it good enough for this list.

"Individually numbered, each hot-forged Grivel Mont Blanc REI Limited-Edition Ice Axe rests in a commemorative wooden display box with green felt lining, and a special REI co-op message printed inside. Grivel now uses only solar energy in their production process, and has been perfecting the art of hot-forging since 1818."

El Purista Smokers Armchair

I certainly don't need this for smoking but it's such an interesting design and looks so darn comfortable that I'm adding it to my wish list.

"Created by Rodrigo Gonzalez and Alexander Sauer, the chair's design recalls the iconic Eames lounger, but with a more square form and hidden slide-out storage in the arms that doubles as a place to set an ashtray and your drink of choice. The inner layer of the chair is made from beech while the top is a walnut veneer, both using trees from sustainable German forests. It's finished with eco-friendly aniline leather, barrel-dyed to preserve natural features like thorns, cracks, and bites, and is made by hand in Germany."

Bexar Goods Co. Apple Watch Strap (Tan)

I just recently picked up a used Apple Watch (for a killer price) and it's making me miss my "real" watches. To stave off the feeling that I'm neglecting my other timepieces, I think a leather band will ease the transition. And this custom leather strap is even cheaper than Apple's version. "All straps are precisely cut from 4 ounce American Bridle Leather. This includes the proper Apple Watch hardware lugs and a leather strap. We have 3 different hardware finishes (lugs and buckle) to match your Apple Watch model and all come with rounded hardware."

— Check out past Items of Want â€”

1 Second Everyday: 2015


I don't think I captured every single day but I know I got most of them and it feels great to keep this going for another year. A lot happened in 2015 but the most obvious (or maybe just to me) is that I switched back from Android to iPhone and the audio/video quality of the videos makes a jump for the better in the second half of 2015.

As I've mentioned before, I highly recommend everyone keep a video journal like this; you'll thank yourself later. Oh and in the beginning, you'll forget days left and right but don't get discouraged. Keep with it.