Currently...

Until the early part of 2013 I remain in an advisory role for the company I led .

I am now busy working on assignments, some from clients such as The Wall Street Journal some self directed, and building my profile/reputation in the photography community. Theres a lot of new learning as well as applying skills I have to the challenge.

My family and I made the move from the New York City suburbs to live two hours north of New York City in the beautiful countryside of The Hudson Valley... full of farmers, foodies, artisans, entrepreneurs, happy vagabonds and dreamers.

Before I escaped...

Since 2008 I was Worldwide CEO for a successful media agency working with 2500 people in countries all across the world, many of which I spent time in.

I reached the point, though, as much as I loved the people, that I was travelling everywhere but not actually seeing anything in depth. At the same time my awareness of what's happening in the world and the stories that need to be told was elevated... yet I had no opportunity to focus on communicating those.

My moment of truth...

I remember one beautiful summer's morning travelling into the city on a commuter train, surrounded by people sleeping and seemingly uninspired and thinking to myself... 'there's no way I want this for myself'. 

That turned quickly to the realisation that the power to change was in my hands completely. While I have been very fortunate to build a successful and happy career in advertising, I reflected on the fact that it started at the bottom rung and my resourcefulness and will-power allowed me to climb. I still have that hunger, drive and the belief in myself and the support of my family and friends so why not start again? Once you are at that point there's no going back. 

An old college friend of mine started the http://dolectures.com/" rel="nofollow">DO LECTURES in Wales. In 2011 the first USA DO Lectures were held in California. I photographed the event and, perhaps more importantly, I heard the stories of many people who had made the commitment to create something... then had gone out and achieved success... it was inspiring.

Planning for it...

We moved to the country and decided on the best timing for me to make the change. I am blessed with a very supportive wife and family.

Over the past few years I have built up a great network of friends, contacts and co-conspirators in the photography world.

I also have taken hardcore workshops to develop my photography approach. I spent a week based in a loft in Williamsburg, NY, getting about two hours sleep each night and photographing Karaoke culture as a way of doing something completely different. The pressure to deliver was huge as the week concluded with a show to peers and influential, established photographers. The idea was to create and experience 'real life' conditions in the business. In many ways it was life-changing. I loved it. 

I am lucky to have been able to save some funds to provide a period of 'start up'.

The worst and best bits...

The worst:  to be making plans concurrent with responsibilities and commitments with colleagues. I tried to be fair, transparent and reasonable with my approach and to treat everyone as I would like to be treated. It's hard to pull that off though when there's an element of secrecy.

The best: other than the excitement of taking the plunge - is the moment when you know it's real. When those around you know and acknowledge that this is your path, the support and good-will is overwhelming.

Best advice...

It's cliché I know but you do have to follow a path that feels intuitive or is simply a calling. You do have to be ready to fail  - thats part of where the drive to succeed comes from.

I think in many ways the best advice was unwittingly provided by all those people on the train that day. I saw no happy face or energetic demeanour... and that was at the start of their day... I do not mean to be too negative but it was almost as if they were all saying 'game over'... and I felt like I was ready to start cranking in a new direction. Oddly, I am thankful to them all for the insight and wake up call.

Also... If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you're probably right." It's a kick up the backside.

Useful resources and information...

The photography community is very competitive but also very community-minded and supportive. There's a lot of sharing and discussion that goes on. I have to recommend my friends and inspirations at DO Lectures. Watch some of the talks and you will see what I mean: http://dolectures.com