#01 On Starting New Things
I'm scared
I have wanted to start a newsletter for years, but fear held me back. There is a quote often attributed to Hemingway that says:
“There's nothing to writing. You simply sit down at the typewriter, open your veins, and bleed.”
Sitting down and bleeding seems daunting. Which may be why I chose a career in photography; expressing my ideas in visual form just seems more exciting. But there is growth in doing uncomfortable things. So here I am today, seeking discomfort by starting a project that will require me doing actual writing.
In fact, I used to be quite good at writing. I remember presenting a story I wrote to my entire school in the fifth grade about a catastrophically comical Santa Claus wreaking havoc at a family’s Christmas. But I digress…
I’m sure I will share things beyond this scope, but here is a sketch of what I plan to write about:
Things I made: photography, films, books, products…
Things I’m working on: a behind the scenes look on projects like new photo shows, companies, houses, saunas…
Things & People I find very interesting: What I’m listening to, reading, and watching… All the ideas I’ve ever had are a mix of idle time and things that I consume.
The through line will always be photography. But I’ll also share about other things in my life like coffee, gravel cycling, architecture, people doing difficult things, chocolate, obscure teas, food, trail running, remote places, gear, old motorcycles, books, tools, interesting cars…the list goes on!
T-30 days before Strohl Works is back
Strohl Works was a site where I hosted workshops about my friends creative & photographic processes. That project became so successful and was taking so much of my time, that I recruited the very talented Laura Schmalstieg to help me run it. We decided the name was a bit limiting and Strohl Works became Wildist in spring 2020. A few years later, Wildist was acquired by CreativeLive and Strohl Works quietly fell off the face of the earth. Until today.
I’m rebooting Strohl Works for a very simple reason: I love thinking about products that make the outdoor photographic experience more enjoyable.
Strohl Works mission is to make tools for outdoors photographers & filmmakersWhen I say tools, I mean it in the broad sense of the terms — expect a pair of burly gloves or a nifty editing app. They both are a means to an end: making photos.
Follow along on @strohlworks or in this newsletter.
I’m still not sure what to call this newsletter… What do you think? If you have ideas, shoot me an email.
That’s it for now. Starting today, look out for an email every other week or so.
See you soon.
Alex
If you like puns, it would be cool to call it something like, "Take a Strohl With Me"
Nice one! Looking forward to follow along and see how things develop.