He built a life around skiing, then rebuilt his identity around a camera and now he’s rebuilding it again as a startup founder. Adam Barker joins us to talk about the real mechanics behind an “overnight success” in outdoor photography: the grit from team sports, the obsession that made him chase better skiers, and the unglamorous work of planning shots, directing athletes, and executing when conditions and daylight don’t wait. If you’re into action sports, active lifestyle photography, or the creative craft behind iconic ski images, you’ll hear what most people miss about how those photos get made.

We also go deep on the business side of creativity. Adam shares how he moved from PR and marketing into freelancing, why he refused to keep doing work he dreaded, and how he thinks about pricing, value, and sustainability in a world with no standard rates. We talk first impressions, branding, portfolios, and why “fake it till you make it” only works if you’re putting in the reps to make the technical side automatic so your creativity can lead.

Then the conversation takes a sharp and fascinating turn: Bolt Skin and Shave. Adam explains why men’s leg shaving is far more common than people think, what it takes to design a purpose-built razor and skincare line, and how intense it is to raise money, learn manufacturing, and live inside the uncertainty of a consumer packaged goods startup. It’s a candid look at entrepreneurship, fear of failure, and the decision to bet on yourself when your family is counting on you.

If this one hits, subscribe to Small Lake City, share it with a friend who’s building something, and leave a review with the risk you’re finally ready to take.

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