2024 has been a wild ride so far, but in the best way possible.
I have so much to share with all of you. I’m sure it will take weeks to get it all out via various articles, videos, and social media content. This post is simply to lay out the backstory, and serve as a foundation to build on. There’s so much that I’ve been wanting to tell you but couldn’t; however, now I can!
In January I got a call from Fujifilm North America. They told me that they like what I’m doing and that they want to work with me in the coming year, but they weren’t yet sure what that might look like. This call was more to get the conversation started, and to make sure that I would be willing to work with them. It was a very positive experience, but I took a wait-and-see approach.
I didn’t have to wait very long, as Fujifilm sent an email in March inviting me to be a part of a global film simulation project. Specifically, they wanted me to create some pictures using Nostalgic Neg., Classic Chrome, and Astia that illustrate how those film simulations can look. They encouraged those involved in the project to use Film Simulation Recipes. Of course, for me, that was a good excuse to invent some brand-new Recipes! Nostalgic Americana, Classic Color, and Astia Azure are the three that I created and used for my photographs. Just recently, Fujifilm published a Film Simulation page on their global website, which is the first fruits of the project—you can find two of my Nostalgic Neg. pictures there. I’m sure there is more to come.
Just as soon as that project wrapped up, I received another email from Fujifilm. They wanted to send me an unreleased camera to try out. Whoa! It was such an honor, just to even be asked. Of course I said “yes” and a week later a Fujifilm X-T50 arrived at my door. I had to wait until after the X-Summit announcement before I could talk about the camera.
It took me a few days to warm up to the X-T50, and a few more days to really figure out how to use it. But, once I did, it quickly became a personal favorite camera. I love the Film Dial! Is it the perfect implementation of it? No. Is it a lot of fun and useful? Absolutely! I still have the camera in my possession, but it’s due to be returned. It’s a preproduction loaner, so I can’t keep it. I just hope, if there is a wait list, that it’s not very long.
This isn’t the end of the story in the slightest. Well before the launch, Fujifilm invited me to join them on a creator’s retreat—Camp Fujifilm, as they affectionately nicknamed it—in the Catskill Mountains of New York, followed by a rooftop X-Summit Experience event in New York City. The retreat was a new thing that Fujifilm was trying out. I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew to say yes, no matter what else I may or may not have had going on at that time. It was a drop-everything-and-be-there type of thing.
So my wife, Amanda, and I flew out of Phoenix to Newark one week ago today. We stayed a night in Brooklyn, and the next day met up with everyone. Fujifilm chartered a bus; we loaded up, and were quickly off. This was our first time in New York City, so we were incredibly excited and just in awe of everything, trying to soak it all in. But as quickly as we got there, we were out of the city and in the rural greenery of the Catskills.
I don’t want to tell anyone else’s story. But, just real briefly, there were 13 creators (including myself and Amanda), plus three Fujifilm employees, at this retreat. It was a very diverse group. There were X-Photographers, cinematographers, YouTubers, hobbyists, etc.—just a wide range of talents and experiences. There were no real expectations. It was like Fujifilm wanted to know what would happen if they just had us all meet and hang out for a few days.
I was nervous because I didn’t know anyone there. I was unsure if I was going to fit in. Even though I have a popular Fujifilm blog (and some apps), I still often feel like an outsider in the general photographic community. But I had nothing to worry about. Everyone was great and welcoming, and we had such an incredible time. I made some new friends, which alone made the whole trip worthwhile.
I won’t soon forget the early morning hike in the pouring rain with Bryan Minear plus Matt Matkin and Lotta Milde of B&H (you may have seen them on YouTube or B&H’s social channels). Tom Baumgaertel (a.k.a. bewaremyfuji) was super helpful when discussing multiple exposure photography. I feel like everyone brought something to the table, and we all learned things from each other. Amanda was surprised how many questions she was asked about social media video trends, and in turn she was able to ask questions related to recording and editing videos. It was an invaluable experience—I’m sure for everyone there, but definitely for myself and Amanda. I hope that Fujifilm does this regularly moving forward.
We returned to New York City from the Catskills on Thursday. The bus dropped us off at our Manhattan hotel, and an hour later Amanda and I strolled over to Foto Care for the X-Summit Experience. The rooftop event was super cool. I got to shake hands with some of you and briefly chat cameras, which was amazing. I met some more talented content creators—photographers and cinematographers—and made some connections.
One highlight was meeting Omar Gonzalez. He was at the event, and we got to talk a little. He had his Fujifilm X-T20 Noir camera with him. I’m a big fan, personally, so it was like meeting a favorite musician or actor or something like that. I kept telling myself to play it cool, just play it cool. Anyway, it was so great to meet him!
Afterwards, I met up with more Fujifilm people, and hung out for awhile. We ate a mustard/sauerkraut pizza at Lions & Tigers & Squares at the suggestion of Shotti—I know it sounds gross (and it’s not something I would normally even try), but it was easily an all-time top-five favorite for me. The whole trip was so surreal, but especially this day. It was like a dream, except that it actually happened. It was so great to meet everyone and make a lot of new connections.
I have a lot more to share, but this is enough for today. I want to give a big “thank you” to Fujifilm North America for loaning me the camera, inviting me out for the retreat and event, and the first-class treatment. I’m so glad that I could meet the team, and I hope that we can work together more in the future.