The comfort of the couch, the proximity of the microwave, the ability to multitask with a laptop while watching. It was obvious to me that our media consumption habits were delivering the final blow to an industry that had already survived cable television and the internet. The streamers keep the older generations at home in sweatpants while social media consumes the attention of the younger ones.

The ancient Persians invented horse blinders with the purpose of narrowing the horse’s field of vision to keep it focused on what is directly in front while limiting their exposure to the environment around them. It seems that we’re being driven by Big Tech and their ability to implement those same blinders on us.

These stories exist independent of any brand. But when the right brand connection emerges organically — through genuine use, meaningful support, or authentic partnership — that's where branded content finds its power.

Some traditional cultures feel that the photograph steals the soul. While this is attributed to a lack of understanding, it does touch on a greater truth: film and photographs are able to capture some of their subjects soul. How else do we explain the connection we feel with them? Since AI-generated subjects have no soul, there was no connection. No backstory. No depth or emotion. It felt like mini wax dioramas in a museum display.

I was quickly taken aback by the power of the imagery processing. The still-nascent AI engines produced images with cinematic light and perspective. There is a very deep pool of creative process that is being accessed and stitched together. Something inside me said that it be would foolish to go on ignoring it.

I embarked on upon an adventure to uncover the truth about a Belizean bush doctor and his treatment for HIV/AIDS. After seven years, two attempted clinical studies, and one sinister threat, I had to walk away from the project.

In 2010 two things happened that significantly impacted my professional trajectory for the next decade. 1) The American physician who was leading the clinical trial in Belize for my documentary had his life threatened…

One morning last July I decided to go down to Pier 20 where the shrimp and fishing boats come and go. The area was quiet except for a forklift driver and a pack-em-in-tight fishing charter about to set off with soon to be seasick tourists.

Photographers are really only 1/3 of it.

So much for businesses and organizations has changed. However, one thing that has not changed is the principles of marketing. Standing out in the crowd has never been more important. Remain quiet, and you could wither on the vine. Think outside the box, and you could blossom.

Predicting which companies will survive is not as simple as assessing their brand worth, previous lasting power, or amount of rainy day funds — it likely comes down to which are able (and actually do take action) to find their clients where they are. In this case, that place would be at home, likely spending a bit more time than is considered healthy plugged into the word wide web.

For an editor, each project is essentially a brief relationship with highs & lows, risks & rewards, and ultimately, a final release into the world.