A few days ago, I received an email that took me back to my early days as a photojournalist. The message started with a simple question:

“I’m looking for a Stanley Leary who would have worked with Hickory Daily Record in the ’80s…”

That’s me.

The request was for a photo I had taken on August 2, 1984—of a young pitcher, Marc Bolton, throwing from the mound in a Little League game. The email’s sender hoped to get a clear copy of the image, better than what had been printed in the newspaper.

Finding the Negative

For many photographers, a request like this would mean digging through old boxes of prints—if they even kept them. But early in my career, I developed a system for archiving my negatives by year and date. That organization paid off.

I went to my files, pulled the Print File Archival Storage Page for Negatives labeled August 2, 1984, and there it was—black-and-white negative.

Why Archiving Matters

This experience reinforced something I often tell photographers: your work has long-term value, but only if you can find it.

Whether you’re a professional or a hobbyist, an organized system for storing your digital or film images ensures that your work isn’t lost to time.

For me, this request was a little like found money. A chance to reconnect with my past work, serve a client decades later, and provide a family with a piece of history they thought might be gone.

So, I advise all photographers to keep their archives in order. You never know when a 40-year-old request might land in your inbox.

As a freelance photographer covering a company’s annual meeting or conference, your role extends beyond capturing great images—you’re also building relationships. Whether engaging with key leadership or connecting with attendees, how you interact can influence future opportunities. Here’s how to approach conversations strategically while maintaining professionalism and delivering high-quality work.

Engaging with Key Leadership

Your goal with executives, organizers, and speakers is to build trust, understand their expectations, and position yourself as a valuable asset.

1. Introduce Yourself with Confidence
   Approach them when they aren’t busy and set a professional yet friendly tone.
   • “Hi, I’m [Your Name], the event photographer. I want to ensure I capture what’s most important to you. Is there anything specific you’d like me to focus on?”
2. Ask Insightful Questions
   Show that you care about their goals beyond just taking photos. Ask:
   • “What key moments would you like documented?”
   • “Are there any VIPs or interactions that are important to capture?”
   • “How will these images be used—internal communications, social media, or marketing?”
3. Balance Professionalism & Friendliness
   Show genuine interest in their role and the company’s vision. A simple conversation like, “I’ve enjoyed capturing the energy of this event. What’s been a highlight for you so far?” can leave a lasting impression.
4. Express Appreciation & Follow Up
   Before the event ends, thank them personally. A quick follow-up email with a sneak peek of standout images (if appropriate) can strengthen the connection.

Connecting with General Attendees

Your goal with attendees is to make them feel comfortable and engaged, resulting in natural, authentic photos.

1. Be Approachable & Friendly
   When capturing images, make people feel at ease:
   • “Looking sharp today! Let me get a great shot of you.”
   • “Mind if I capture a quick photo of you enjoying the event?”
2. Encourage Natural Expressions
   If someone seems camera-shy, lighten the mood:
   • “Pretend I’m not here—just enjoy your conversation!”
   • For group shots: “Let’s get one with some energy—big smiles!”
3. Make It Easy for Them to Find Their Photos
   Let attendees know where they can access event photos:
   • “The company will have all the event photos soon, but if you want a quick look at any, feel free to connect with me.”

Building Relationships During Breaks

Your downtime at an event is an excellent opportunity to connect with people in a more relaxed setting.

1. Start with Small Talk, Then Go Deeper
   • “Wow, it’s been a packed day! What’s been your highlight so far?”
   • “How long have you been with the company?”
   • “Is this your first time at this event, or are you a regular?”
2. Find Common Ground
   Not every conversation has to be about work. Pay attention to details and make genuine connections. If someone is wearing a sports logo, mention it:
   • “Are you a Braves fan? I grew up going to their games.”
   • If they mention hobbies: “Oh, you play the trumpet? I just picked up the flugelhorn again after years off!”
3. Exit Smoothly & Keep the Door Open
   If the conversation winds down or you need to get back to work, wrap it up with:
   • “Great chatting with you—I hope you enjoy the rest of the conference!”
   • If there’s potential for future work: “Let’s stay in touch! I’d love to send over some of my work after the event.”

Final Thoughts

Your presence at an event isn’t just about documenting—it’s about enhancing the experience through genuine interactions. You’ll make a strong impression by showing attendees professionalism, leadership, and warmth, leading to future opportunities.

Have you found specific approaches that work best for networking at corporate events? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

On Friday, I ran into a frustrating issue that every digital creative dreads—my Mac ran out of space. As someone who regularly works with large files, I understand the importance of keeping my storage in check, but this time, something unusual happened.

The Mystery of Missing Space

I had been helping a friend recover files from an 8TB damaged hard drive. Using data recovery software, I recovered about 3.9TB of data. However, I could only find 2.5TB of recovered files when I checked my storage. At the time, I assumed the missing data was due to the drive’s damage and didn’t think much of it.

I didn’t realize that my Mac’s System Data had swallowed 1.5TB of space. I had always assumed that System Data was just a temporary cache used while working on files and that macOS would eventually distribute those files to their appropriate locations. However, this time, it didn’t work as expected, and my computer was stuck with a bloated System Data folder, leaving me almost no free space.

Troubleshooting the Issue

I tried everything—clearing cache files, rebooting in safe mode, manually deleting unnecessary files—but nothing freed up that mysterious 1.5TB of System Data. After a call with Apple Support, I realized the only real solution was to wipe my Mac and restore it from a Time Machine backup.

The Restore Process

Thankfully, I followed a 3-2-1 backup strategy and had a full Time Machine backup on my NAS (Network Attached Storage). The restoration process took about four hours because I was restoring over the network. While this worked, I quickly realized there was a much faster way to get back up and running.

The Faster Restore Solution

If I had copied my backup from the NAS to an external SSD and then restored it from that drive, the entire process could have been completed in under 30 minutes instead of four hours.

For reference:

• Restoring from a NAS over a network: ~4 hours
• Restoring from an external SSD via USB-C or Thunderbolt: ~25–30 minutes

Lessons Learned

Additionally, I learned that if I travel, as I did this week, I should carry an SSD with my latest Time Machine backup. This way, I could have completed the restore in just a few hours rather than waiting until I got home.

1. System Data Can Get Stuck: While macOS is supposed to clear out temporary files, sometimes it doesn’t. Be mindful when working with massive data recovery projects.
2. Keep a Fast Local Backup Option: NAS is great for redundancy, but an external SSD is the way to go for speed.
3. Plan for Large Restores: If you ever need to restore your Mac, copying the backup to an external SSD first can save hours.

This experience was a wake-up call about the importance of not just backing up, but backing up efficiently. Next time, I’ll be better prepared—and hopefully, this post helps someone else avoid the same hassle!