From the Grounds Up: Shifting Gears

Have you ever had an idea to do something, and were so convinced it was a good idea that you didn’t think to stop and ask yourself if you actually wanted to actually do it?

I’ve actually had Coldbrewed Creative for a while. I’ve used it as a business name and bought the website long before I even had a solid vision in place. Initially, I was convinced that it would be my photography business.

I love coffee, I love photography. It all made sense.

Literally for years, I’ve updated, changed, revamped and rebooted my website time and time again. Never really launching it or putting it out there all that much. You see, every time I got it to a good place, I had doubts. Was it good enough? What can I do better? I should probably change (fill in the blank).

Every version of the Coldbrewed Creative website just felt wrong. It felt like I was posing. Pretending to be something I wasn’t. Listing photo packages, trying to narrow down my work down into a marketable group of images that would entice folks to book their next family session with me. I admire people who do this for a living. It’s competitive as all get out, and truly a hustle to work for yourself like that.

It just never felt like me. It never felt genuine, even with my own spin on things.

Then it hit me. Out of nowhere. Like a literal light bulb moment.

It feels wrong because it is. I was just going down the path I thought I needed to take because that’s what it seemed like everyone else that’s a photographer does.

What I realized was one of my biggest reasons for the name Coldbrewed Creative, and not Photography by Tony Gist or Tony Gist (taken by someone else by the way). I wanted it to be a creative space. Maybe a creative collaboration. Possibly even a creative collective.

The biggest realization was that this was never supposed to be about just me.

So, you may or may not have noticed that the website has once again changed. I’ve moved, pretty much completely away from just another photographer for hire website, and finally brought Coldbrewed Creative to life. Almost. I feel like my ideas are properly aligned, and I’m finally moving in the right direction. Sure it’s the first steps with a long road ahead, but at least I’m not aimlessly wandering hoping to get to a final destination that I’m not even sure what it looks like.

Funny enough, building the website became much easier. I have far less doubt, and I’m actually excited about finally putting it out there. I don’t think it’s a coincidence.

I’d one day love to have a physical space. A space where I can build sets, hold workshops, and throw gallery events, giving creatives a chance to show off their work in person. None of that is going to happen over night, but you have to start somewhere, and I’m working with what I got.

I’m kicking things off with open calls for online exhibitions, creative experiences, and hopefully featuring other creatives through features and galleries.

It’s not a small change, and I’ve been pretty much working non stop just to try and get the initial change set and ready, but I’m finally excited about what I’m working towards. All those shutter clicks are finally going to start adding up to something and I’m super excited for that.

Do I have it all figured out? No. Could it completely fail? Absolutely. Does it finally feel right? One hundred percent!

One thing is for sure, I’m giving it six months before making any more big changes … because my wife said I have to wait at least six months before getting any more big ideas and changing things again.