Three Ways I'm Growing as a Philadelphia Photographer and Content Creator in 2025
Three Things I'm Improving This Year
As the New Year begins, I’m reflecting on areas of my life and work that I want to focus on and improve. Here are three key goals I’ve set for myself this year.
1. Write More Blogs
One of my main goals is to write more blogs. The idea is to share my opinions and experiences as much as I can. Sometimes, I struggle with providing value through my writing. People often say it’s good to either teach or entertain, but I’m not sure I’d make the best teacher since I’m always learning myself. While I enjoy learning, I prefer doing rather than just reading about a subject. For instance, I often fall into the trap of watching too much YouTube about photography when I could simply go out and shoot.
As a Philadelphia photographer, I’m inspired by the city’s rich culture and traditions. As I write this, it’s New Year’s Day, and in Philadelphia, that means the Mummers Parade is happening. It’s a unique tradition, and it inspires me to commit to shooting mostly film this month. Since I don’t have any gigs in January, it should be easy to stick to this plan. However, I’ll use the equipment that makes sense if a gig does come up.
Today also reminded me that I really need a long telephoto lens. A 70-200mm lens would be a great addition to my kit. This month, I’m forcing myself to fill my free time by creating more, whether it’s through photography or blogging. My blog doesn’t get many views yet, but I’m confident that it will eventually help someone on their own journey, and that will make it all worthwhile. I firmly believe that consistent practice leads to improvement and that writing will become easier over time.
2. Upload at Least Three YouTube Videos a Month
Another goal as a content creator is to upload at least three YouTube videos each month. The challenge I face with YouTube is similar to blogging: I’m not always sure if I’m providing value. I have so many ideas that narrowing them down into one focused video can be difficult. I’d rather share all my thoughts in one go than create multiple videos, as this feels more efficient and ensures the content is straight to the point.
One thing I dislike about some YouTube videos is when they take several minutes to get to the main point. This is especially frustrating when watching videos about video games or anime. However, the creative YouTubers I follow are excellent at being concise and engaging, which inspires me to do the same.
This year, I plan to spend more time developing topics and filming myself while I create. As a content creator, I don’t want my videos to just be me sitting in front of the camera and talking. Instead, I want to document interesting stories and experiences. Having lived in Philadelphia for two years now, I’ve come to see the city through my own unique lens. While I’m not a native, I believe my experiences here are worth documenting. Writing more blogs should also help me generate ideas for my YouTube channel.
3. Focus on Personal Branding
The last and perhaps most important goal is to work on my personal branding. I recently watched a Chris Do video that made me think deeply about this. In the video, Chris talked about being an introvert, which resonated with me because I’m also an introvert. The only time I feel truly comfortable talking to people is when the topic is photography or videography. This realization reinforces my belief that these are my true passions.
Chris mentioned that if we don’t address our personal traumas, it’s difficult to truly know ourselves, and by extension, our personal brand. This struck a chord with me and made me want to explore my own story more deeply. For instance, how many other photographers are first-generation Americans? How many grew up in the projects? These aspects of my life set me apart and make my perspective unique.
Here are some labels I identify with:
Haitian American
Philadelphia Photographer
Content Creator
Dog Dad
Soon-to-be Married
Son
Brother
Uncle
Stubborn
Lover of the Finer Things in Life
Here are some things I enjoy:
Photography
Food
Fitness
Anime
TV Shows
Video Games
Gear
Technology
Audio
Fashion
Music
One question I need to ask myself more often is: how can I combine all these elements into a cohesive personal brand? I’m still figuring that out, but I know it’s essential for my growth as a creator and entrepreneur.
Closing Thoughts
This year, I’m committing to writing more blogs, creating consistent YouTube content, and refining my personal brand as a Philadelphia photographer and content creator. As a Philadelphia photographer and content creator, I believe sharing my journey can inspire others and connect me with people who resonate with my story. While these goals are ambitious, I’m excited to see how they will help me grow personally and professionally.
Support My Work
If you enjoyed reading this blog post, you can support me by purchasing a print from my print shop hosted via Darkroom. A selection of photos from this trip is available for purchase, allowing you to bring a piece of Palm Springs home.