“AN UNCONVENTIONAL TALE…”
Photo by Max Romey, Boulder, Colorado of me doing film producer stuff!
My life has taken me on an extraordinary voyage.
While I trained as a scientist—earning degrees in marine biology, medical biology, and minoring in art history from the University of New England—my heart craves both creativity and connection to the natural world.
After college, I delved into biomedical research, driven by an insatiable curiosity for intriguing hypotheses and the thrill of discovery. Yet, the windowless labs eventually inspired a dramatic shift. I listened to my soul’s yearning for nature, adventure, and the open water, returning to a childhood dream. I stepped away from a successful scientific career to chase my ultimate aspiration: sailing around the world.
All smiles during the Chicago to Mackinac Race… many moons ago!
HOW IT STARTED
It began as an unexpected photography assignment, when the Director of the Volvo Ocean Race Boston Stop-over handed me a bag of camera equipment and said, "photograph everything!" Which ultimately transformed the course of my life.
Professional sailing photographers are beasts! They are also kind, humble, hilarious, and have the best balance! Imagine spending 8-hours taking cover-worthy photos from a constantly moving platform!
My dream of sailing around the world hasn't quite come true yet, but for over a decade, I've had the incredible fortune of living and breathing in the heart of the global sailing community. This journey has brought me face-to-face with brilliant sailors and their amazing photographers, people from every walk of life and every corner of our incredible planet!
While I haven't circumnavigated the globe, these experiences turbocharged my academic training, professional skills, and creative spirit. Even more profoundly, these remarkable individuals reshaped my vision of what's possible, steering me toward a complete career transformation and a life I never dared to imagine.
It took countless photos, invaluable mentoring, unwavering encouragement, and a leap of faith to finally call myself a professional photographer. Now, nearly 20 years into this exhilarating field, with a treasure trove of imagery (far more than my website reveals), I still feel like I'm continually discovering what it means to be a professional photographer as the landscape constantly evolves!
This was my first “professional photograph” that was licensed from my first photography assignment covering the Volvo Ocean Race Boston Stop-over in Spring of 2009.
From late 2017 through end of 2018 I embarked on an expedition across the country, exploring the world of documentary photography and writing….
I plunged into the vibrant world of photojournalism.
My lens captured daily life in Vermont (were I resided for over ten years), the thrilling energy of college and high school athletics, and the raw excitement of adventure sports. It was an exhilarating journey, most of it spent embracing the great outdoors!
Then, just before the global pandemic hit, a powerful urge pulled me in a new direction. With no idea what the future held, I took a massive leap, stepping away from my seemingly "picture-perfect" career to chase a passion project (When The Road Disappears). This bold decision fundamentally altered the course of my life, a transformation only amplified by the profound impact of Covid-19.
The global pandemic essentially cleared my schedule and forced me to put the camera down and consider a different creative medium!
The pandemic forced an overnight pivot in my career and life’s path, as it did for so many others.
I found myself reconnecting with a skill I hadn't touched since high school—watercolor painting. What started as a playful challenge to explore my creative needs at that uncertain time transformed into an unplanned journey: I became a commissioned watercolor artist!
Creating art for others has been, and continues to be, a truly beautiful path. It's been such a blessing, turning the darkness of uncertainty into a vibrant, colorful journey that has led to incredible new connections and friendships. In fact, it was painting that led me to my present day work as a film producer, videographer and studio showrunner for Trailbound Sketches.
Photo by Jennifer Langille, while on assignment in Idaho.
One of the best perks of the job — the office view! Filming in Colorado is extra special! Photo by Max Romey (and the van is borrowed!)
This unconventional professional and personal journey has come full circle, and I have returned to the best parts of my academic and real world experiences.
We think we know who and what we will become when we “grow-up,” and I am living proof that if we are open to unexpected and unplanned events — it can be better than expected.
If you read this far, thank you for your time, and I hope some part of my story inspires you to live your’s fully. Embrace the unknown. Believe in yourself. Have faith in knowing you will land where you are intended to be.
It may take time, but that time will be well spent!
✈ Based in Upstate New York