Introducing... subtledream newsletter

The subtledream newsletter is a curation of reflections, global good news, original content, and recommended gems from around the internet & our world. Free & ad-free. Sign up here.


Kicked off the first-ever newsletter with this header image. A beautiful scene & time I shall never forget. Taken in Oregon, Aug 2020.

The purpose of the newsletter is to share with you/the world:

  • original work in various formats, including Wilderness Within Podcast

  • good news about people & planet that inspire & spark hope, instead of despair & divide. big thanks to Future Crunch and other sources.

  • curated content such as videos, books, podcasts, and offerings that I find of value

  • snippets of life for those of you personally connected to me :)

For a number of years, I feel as though I have already been doing so on social media, patreon, and through direct messages/emails. However, what's become apparent to me are the limitations of social media algorithms + content overload on those platforms, the inefficiency of individual messaging (though that'll still happen 🙃), and that I do not wish to constantly put content behind a paywall. I would rather distribute freely to a wider audience, and if folks find value, feel compelled, and have the financial ability, to pitch in at a level they are content with to make my time even more worthwhile. This is a also conscious step in redefining who I am out to the world. Rather than simply being "the guy who takes pretty pictures and videos," or "that nomadic photographer," I want to explore other aspects of my ever-evolving being and interests, and how they could continue to serve me and others too. Since everyone has email, and because I am embracing the fact that I truly get joy in the creating-curating-sharing process, here we are.

The newsletter is free, ad and sponsor-free (in big part thanks to supporting patrons), and I intend to keep it that way, at least for some time. ✌🏽

I hope you enjoy this publication! Thank you for your time & attention - they are invaluable!

Gratitude is everything.

I took this image in 2018 while in Byron Bay, Australia, not knowing that I’d still be using it years later… 😉

Norway, Apr 2019. A journey that meant and helped me so, so much. Very grateful for that experience.

December announcements (and some thoughts)

Fresh post for December on Patreon - I'm wanting to bring back the monthly newsletter/announcements with original content and reshared gems from the internet, usually for supporting patrons only.

Putting content behind a paywall hasn't always been my intention. I've been creating, writing, and reposting content for all and for free on socials for the last 10+ years. I've done it out of interest, out of curiosity, and out of the sheer personal joy to be able to share what I see, what I experience, hear, and feel in our world. That has filled my cup in ways no amount of money can achieve. But I also realize there are folks who I know well and even those I hardly know who have the spare change, those who wish to support me and my craft to bring these places and cultures and stories to life. I suppose that makes me not much different from a busker on the street, except in my case the "streets" are social media and communication platforms, and the "music" would be the visually delightful pixels and/or positively-reinforcing messages or captions accompanying them. I like that - I am really a social media busker. #thanksCollege

I'll be the first to admit that I have a tendency to overcommit and underdeliver. Back when my patreon page was launched in mid-2018, I had set some ambitious promises on what folks at each supporting tier would get. 2+ years later, I feel I haven't hit a lot of them. Some supporters stayed on for just a couple months, but more for a year or well over 2 years now. When asked directly how I can do better or what they would like to see, the most echoed responses are along the lines of "keep doing what you do, or "keep being you." It's funny - on some days I don't actually find that answer satisfactory. It's as if I am a detective for fault by others that don't actually exist. That's the self-critical part or insecure part about myself that honestly I've only been just recently getting to really know and understand (and hopefully overcoming/coming to better terms with soon). But truly, on my good days - and over 50% are of late - I feel the support and love immensely, from all 53 of you. That keeps me charged and rolling.

Anyway, this wasn't meant to be a confession, but heck I've written to this point now and I'm not about erasing honesty and outpour of my recent/current truths.

And if you've gotten this far - cheers. Here are the announcements that I actually came on here to post about:

  1. I’ll be publishing onto an email list instead of relying on socials. link to join to come soon. this is meant to be my free/publicly available way to diffuse content and info. if you're really keen on being included and not sure if I already have your email and wanna say hi, just DM me your @ address.

  2. Facebook is pretty great, honestly, but i need to minimize and detox, so i'll be deactivating my profile temporarily after the weekend. Messenger & Insta will remain active, for the time being.

  3. Do you fancy prints of my photographs? well, this is a feature i've never truly promoted, but it is one that I will be in the coming couple weeks. you'll soon be able to order prints right off my site, and have a plethora of options for sizes and finishes too. #subtledreamPrints, look out!

If you're a supporting patron, thank you, thank you, and please unlock your rewards from the magical Olympic rainforest (and other goodies).