Here’s your chance to put your questions to one of the outdoor world’s most influential creative figures.
Yep, that’s right, myself and long-time friend-of-the-show Chris Burkard are getting together for our THIRD Looking Sideways conversation for my next Creative Exchange in association with my pals at Db.
So in this week’s Open Thread, open to free and paid subscribers, I want YOUR questions for one of our culture’s most influential creative figures. I’ll choose the best and put them to Chris at our forthcoming online Creative Exchange.
Db have also offering a brilliant prize for the best question in the comments! I’ll choose a winner once the Thread is finished.
(This contest is only open to paid subscribers, as are all Open Thread contests featuring prizes from my pals at Stance, The Wave, Patagonia, Finisterre, Danner and Goodrays.)
Know anybody who’ d like to ask Chris a question, or who might find this discussion interesting? Sharing is caring - use the button below
What do you wish you had more time to do? This can be either professional work or personal. How has this changed as you progressed through your career.
With knowing all of this, what advise would you give to people regarding what to focus on in different stages of their career.
Maybe this is not the best question because I know everybody is different, but I am interested to hear how Chris will answer. And maybe there might be something that I can apply to my journey.
I’m sure you’ve been asked this plenty of times before, but away from work how easy is it for you to put the camera down and make space for internal memories? I’m sure shared experiences are super important throughout family life but does life through the lens have the same importance transversely? I guess my question is how do you ground yourself away from the camera, from work, essentially. Thanks 🩵
In a world of ever increasing commoditisation of creatives, where it could be the argued that attention is potentially fleeting & therefore resonating with those consuming may be lost due to the volume of images/video on offer, what motivates you to put in the time, energy and effort that may not see the results (brand awareness/campaign messages) from audiences they may have previously
Thanks for the opportunity guys - Chris, I’m interested to hear about how you measure success when it comes to your creative work.
Many brands and organisations seem to place a high value on number of clicks/views/engagements because those are easy metrics to understand and communicate as apposed to the social impact a film can have, for example.
What do you place value on and are there any methods you use to get a project “across the line” if/when these sorts of discussions happen?
Hope that makes sense! Appreciate you giving your time, thanks again 🤙🏼
Your imagery and story telling are so beautiful Chris - when you have revisited previous seemingly unspoiled destinations to cover them for other reasons, have noticed changes as a result of climate and or travel? Do you feel a responsibility when covering destinations to protect their anonymity to a degree in order to preserve their current environment and how does that factor into your decision making process of how to present a destination or a perspective?
My question is two pronged. Firstly, what would you say is the most important factor that pushed your career into the realm of being a sought after professional?
And secondly, once you were in that realm, how did/do you design your career direction so that it aligns with your creative direction?
Thanks so much again! Really looking forward to listening to the exchange!
What do you wish you had more time to do? This can be either professional work or personal. How has this changed as you progressed through your career.
With knowing all of this, what advise would you give to people regarding what to focus on in different stages of their career.
Maybe this is not the best question because I know everybody is different, but I am interested to hear how Chris will answer. And maybe there might be something that I can apply to my journey.
Ok so what would you say was the single most important thing you've done which ultimately set you on the career path you now occupy?
You came from a surf photography background and now cover all aspects of action sports, landscape, and just mad adventuring!!
I’m sure you’ve been asked this plenty of times before, but away from work how easy is it for you to put the camera down and make space for internal memories? I’m sure shared experiences are super important throughout family life but does life through the lens have the same importance transversely? I guess my question is how do you ground yourself away from the camera, from work, essentially. Thanks 🩵
In a world of ever increasing commoditisation of creatives, where it could be the argued that attention is potentially fleeting & therefore resonating with those consuming may be lost due to the volume of images/video on offer, what motivates you to put in the time, energy and effort that may not see the results (brand awareness/campaign messages) from audiences they may have previously
Thanks for the opportunity guys - Chris, I’m interested to hear about how you measure success when it comes to your creative work.
Many brands and organisations seem to place a high value on number of clicks/views/engagements because those are easy metrics to understand and communicate as apposed to the social impact a film can have, for example.
What do you place value on and are there any methods you use to get a project “across the line” if/when these sorts of discussions happen?
Hope that makes sense! Appreciate you giving your time, thanks again 🤙🏼
Your imagery and story telling are so beautiful Chris - when you have revisited previous seemingly unspoiled destinations to cover them for other reasons, have noticed changes as a result of climate and or travel? Do you feel a responsibility when covering destinations to protect their anonymity to a degree in order to preserve their current environment and how does that factor into your decision making process of how to present a destination or a perspective?
Thanks for this great opportunity Matt and Chris!
My question is two pronged. Firstly, what would you say is the most important factor that pushed your career into the realm of being a sought after professional?
And secondly, once you were in that realm, how did/do you design your career direction so that it aligns with your creative direction?
Thanks so much again! Really looking forward to listening to the exchange!
Evan
Right on Evan 💪