Oh, I definitely will. It's a passion project, so ultimately I will do with it what I want to, but I am interested in feedback of what resonates with others, too.
Beautiful photos! I enjoyed the stories that go with each and your reflections on the experiences. Philosophy is always welcome. I wondered whether you could eliminate shipping costs by printing at a service bureau local to your customer — but that’s wildly impractical. 🤔
Thanks Julie! I think printing that way would be possible, but the problem is that I need photo sales to be automated. I just don't have the time and organization to fulfill orders myself. Next week I'll share my new experiment that *hopefully* will be better for everyone!
Why don't you try approaching local hotels, resorts, Airbnbs in your area/state and ask if you can display your art in their rooms on consignment? I saw this on a hotel reno show once. They'd feature local art in their spaces, all pieces had price tags on them and the guests could purchase right off the wall. Then the hotel gets a small commission from the sale and you send them another one to hang in the empty spot.
The idea might need some streamlining but I think LOCAL talent/art would be valuable to tourists from other places.
That's a great idea Kristi, and one I'd like to pursue! I have 2 hurdles to overcome, though. 1) Startup costs just to get my photos printed to begin with and 2) my town is famous for 1 thing- UGA football. This fills me with disgust because for the past 17 years I've had to work forced overtime for every single home football game in the fall. It might be a hard sell to get local businesses to display anything unrelated to that.
Erik, I really enjoy your writing. As for your 2025 focus, personally I enjoy your writing on the self connected with nature, the more thinking/philosophical-style pieces. If you threw some LE work in there as well, I don’t think that would harm your theme - I think it might build some interesting bridges between worlds.
Bridges between worlds! That's a VERY interesting way of looking at it. I had been thinking I would need a separate publication or section for LE stuff, but you're absolutely right- there may be a way to weave some of it together. Thanks for all of your support Sam!
Great adventures and photo work Erik! 👏 Really like the waterfall images.
As to your thoughts about creating a 'zine, check out https://bimbleswithacamera.substack.com/. Amazing talented photographer, and buried somewhere in all his collections is a section about his 'zines. You could contact him about that if you're interested.
Thanks Baird! I follow Bimbles in Notes, but didn't realize he had written about making 'zines. I appreciate that tip! Gill Moon has also written about this, but I believe she uses an Adobe program that I do not have.
I enjoy the pictures and love when they come with stories! It adds so much. I would be interested in some LE stories/perspective, too. I like the idea mentioned of bridging this topic with current themes- that’s intriguing.
That was a very good suggestion! I'm actually a little surprised that there would be interest in cop stuff. I figured most people are here for the nature and wouldn't want to read about that. I'll start to wrap my head around how to start blending some of that content in without getting carried away. Thanks for reading Shannon!
Erik, this is a great wrap-up for the year. I only recently discovered you, but I have greatly enjoyed your publication. Everyone should write what is closest to their heart. Otherwise, it comes across as disingenuous. The specific things I love are when artists draw connections between their passion and their lives. When you use the outdoors as a means to learn about ourselves, that is when I get the most from your writing and your pictures.
You are doing great, and I hope more people discover your work. Have a wonderful new year!
Right on! Relating nature and humanity is my favorite topic to write about. Its one thing I have rarely captured in a photograph and the writing feels like it fills in what I can't show in the images. Thanks for reading Matthew! Have a great new year!
Wow. First of all, this was sensory overload in the best possible way!! It's the waterfalls for me. Water is my spirit animal lol.
I can't believe Honduras was 6 months ago already. Time flies and it's been amazing following your journeys this year.
To answer one of your followup questions, I think Field Notes perfectly encapsulates some of your police things. What are you doing as a cop if not working "out in the field"? You should be able to work that in seamlessly.
Looking forward to whatever angles you choose to incorporate!
I’m happy I discovered your work here, Erik. Your photography is spectacular! I also really enjoy your philosophical content related to the outdoors and Stoicism.
That means a lot Jesse. Thank you! The philosophical stuff is kinda hard for me because I am by no stretch an authority on the topic. I try to present it just as- this is how I understand it and what I'm thinking right now. It really fascinates me, though, and I look forward to writing a lot more!
That’s makes sense… I appreciate your presentation of the information and insight. Fresh perspectives and insights on many cool topics. I’m looking forward to it!
I don't know how helpful this is, but when I see your name pop up in my inbox, I click. (Well ok maybe not RIGHT AWAY😂) in other words, I enjoy reading everything you write. I love how you weave your personal musings and stoicism into your hiking trips. And the photography is NEXT LEVEL. it's a shame you weren't getting many online purchases with that, but I'm happy I got one of your prints for my office before you decided to shut that down. 👍
Also, I'd be interested to read "cop stuff" and some of those stories. I know you're worried it's really off topic with Field Notes, but I wonder if there's a way to weave those stories in with your thoughts on stoicism / lessons learned from the field...etc??
Ah, Niki! Thank you. Your comments are always welcome! I had been thinking of cop stories as stand alone things, but a couple others mentioned earlier that there could be a way to merge them into other topics and 'bridge the gap' between worlds. It definitely has my wheels spinning!
Cool!! I imagine it'd be a little hard to blend those stories rather than leave em' as standalones...but I'm sure you can do it! If nothing else, it's a creative exercise.
Erik, I have enjoyed coming along on your adventures this past year, and great photos too. Writing a Substack is a lot of work - do what you enjoy! Looking forward to seeing what 2025 brings.
You've had a busy year, Erik!
My thoughts on content....it's your Substack, post what resonates with you 🙂
Oh, I definitely will. It's a passion project, so ultimately I will do with it what I want to, but I am interested in feedback of what resonates with others, too.
Beautiful photos! I enjoyed the stories that go with each and your reflections on the experiences. Philosophy is always welcome. I wondered whether you could eliminate shipping costs by printing at a service bureau local to your customer — but that’s wildly impractical. 🤔
Thanks Julie! I think printing that way would be possible, but the problem is that I need photo sales to be automated. I just don't have the time and organization to fulfill orders myself. Next week I'll share my new experiment that *hopefully* will be better for everyone!
Why don't you try approaching local hotels, resorts, Airbnbs in your area/state and ask if you can display your art in their rooms on consignment? I saw this on a hotel reno show once. They'd feature local art in their spaces, all pieces had price tags on them and the guests could purchase right off the wall. Then the hotel gets a small commission from the sale and you send them another one to hang in the empty spot.
The idea might need some streamlining but I think LOCAL talent/art would be valuable to tourists from other places.
That's a great idea Kristi, and one I'd like to pursue! I have 2 hurdles to overcome, though. 1) Startup costs just to get my photos printed to begin with and 2) my town is famous for 1 thing- UGA football. This fills me with disgust because for the past 17 years I've had to work forced overtime for every single home football game in the fall. It might be a hard sell to get local businesses to display anything unrelated to that.
Hmmmmm. Well, let the idea marinate and see where it takes you. Start the research and outreach first. Never know!
Erik, I really enjoy your writing. As for your 2025 focus, personally I enjoy your writing on the self connected with nature, the more thinking/philosophical-style pieces. If you threw some LE work in there as well, I don’t think that would harm your theme - I think it might build some interesting bridges between worlds.
Bridges between worlds! That's a VERY interesting way of looking at it. I had been thinking I would need a separate publication or section for LE stuff, but you're absolutely right- there may be a way to weave some of it together. Thanks for all of your support Sam!
Some beautiful photos! I liked to many of them to list them.
Thank you very much Sheryl!
Great adventures and photo work Erik! 👏 Really like the waterfall images.
As to your thoughts about creating a 'zine, check out https://bimbleswithacamera.substack.com/. Amazing talented photographer, and buried somewhere in all his collections is a section about his 'zines. You could contact him about that if you're interested.
Thanks Baird! I follow Bimbles in Notes, but didn't realize he had written about making 'zines. I appreciate that tip! Gill Moon has also written about this, but I believe she uses an Adobe program that I do not have.
Loved your last year of work!
I feel like the writing and photos is the way to go.
It’s more rare to have well crafted stories with photos of remote adventures and therefore more special and valuable.
Thank you Tim! I appreciate the input!
Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos. I am new here so I enjoyed the recap.
Of course! Thanks for reading!
I enjoy the pictures and love when they come with stories! It adds so much. I would be interested in some LE stories/perspective, too. I like the idea mentioned of bridging this topic with current themes- that’s intriguing.
That was a very good suggestion! I'm actually a little surprised that there would be interest in cop stuff. I figured most people are here for the nature and wouldn't want to read about that. I'll start to wrap my head around how to start blending some of that content in without getting carried away. Thanks for reading Shannon!
Erik, this is a great wrap-up for the year. I only recently discovered you, but I have greatly enjoyed your publication. Everyone should write what is closest to their heart. Otherwise, it comes across as disingenuous. The specific things I love are when artists draw connections between their passion and their lives. When you use the outdoors as a means to learn about ourselves, that is when I get the most from your writing and your pictures.
You are doing great, and I hope more people discover your work. Have a wonderful new year!
Right on! Relating nature and humanity is my favorite topic to write about. Its one thing I have rarely captured in a photograph and the writing feels like it fills in what I can't show in the images. Thanks for reading Matthew! Have a great new year!
Wow. First of all, this was sensory overload in the best possible way!! It's the waterfalls for me. Water is my spirit animal lol.
I can't believe Honduras was 6 months ago already. Time flies and it's been amazing following your journeys this year.
To answer one of your followup questions, I think Field Notes perfectly encapsulates some of your police things. What are you doing as a cop if not working "out in the field"? You should be able to work that in seamlessly.
Looking forward to whatever angles you choose to incorporate!
I’m happy I discovered your work here, Erik. Your photography is spectacular! I also really enjoy your philosophical content related to the outdoors and Stoicism.
That means a lot Jesse. Thank you! The philosophical stuff is kinda hard for me because I am by no stretch an authority on the topic. I try to present it just as- this is how I understand it and what I'm thinking right now. It really fascinates me, though, and I look forward to writing a lot more!
That’s makes sense… I appreciate your presentation of the information and insight. Fresh perspectives and insights on many cool topics. I’m looking forward to it!
A great look back at a year of great adventures. Brilliant work Erik as always and wishing you all the best for the New Year ahead...
Thanks Andrew, and Happy New Year to you guys as well!
I don't know how helpful this is, but when I see your name pop up in my inbox, I click. (Well ok maybe not RIGHT AWAY😂) in other words, I enjoy reading everything you write. I love how you weave your personal musings and stoicism into your hiking trips. And the photography is NEXT LEVEL. it's a shame you weren't getting many online purchases with that, but I'm happy I got one of your prints for my office before you decided to shut that down. 👍
Also, I'd be interested to read "cop stuff" and some of those stories. I know you're worried it's really off topic with Field Notes, but I wonder if there's a way to weave those stories in with your thoughts on stoicism / lessons learned from the field...etc??
Ah, Niki! Thank you. Your comments are always welcome! I had been thinking of cop stories as stand alone things, but a couple others mentioned earlier that there could be a way to merge them into other topics and 'bridge the gap' between worlds. It definitely has my wheels spinning!
Cool!! I imagine it'd be a little hard to blend those stories rather than leave em' as standalones...but I'm sure you can do it! If nothing else, it's a creative exercise.
Erik, I have enjoyed coming along on your adventures this past year, and great photos too. Writing a Substack is a lot of work - do what you enjoy! Looking forward to seeing what 2025 brings.
Thanks James! I always look forward to your input/insight. Happy New Year!