Out of my comfort zone & into the fire(wood mill)!
When a long-time friend and fellow small business owner asked if I could help him create a video ad for his firewood company, my first instinct was… mild panic. I’m a designer by trade—not a videographer—and directing a shoot wasn’t exactly in my usual day-to-day. But I said yes anyway. Because when friend like Rob calls, you answer.
Rob runs Rob & Yeager’s Firewood, a proudly local business just outside of Narrandera, NSW. His operation is something else—a massive tree harvester, industrial saw, a yard full of rich aussie red gum, and a truly inspiring work ethic. He wanted something to showcase what makes his business special, and I wanted to help.
So, we packed our gear, my nerves, and a whole lot of enthusiasm, and headed to the mill.
From Branding to Behind the Lens
I’d worked with Rob before—branding his business and designing social media graphics—but this was new territory. We weren’t just telling his story through design anymore. We were capturing it in motion.
Craig (a powerhouse of experience and talent on our team) took the lead on filming, and I stepped into the role of director—something I’ve never done before. But once I mapped out the shot list, did some prep, and visualised the scenes, a funny thing happened: it all started to click.
Suddenly, I was asking for retakes from different angles, tweaking where people were placed, and calling the shots (literally). Turns out, directing a shoot plays to my strengths: organisation, vision, and just a touch of bossy flair.
What I Learned from the Log Pile
Like most creatives, I hold myself to some pretty high (and occasionally unrealistic) standards—especially when I’m trying something new. The fear of letting Rob down was real. He’s a great friend. I knew he’d be gracious if I dropped the ball, but I still wanted to deliver something worthy.
And you know what? We did.
It was fun. It was challenging. And it was a beautiful reminder that stepping outside your comfort zone is where the real growth happens. The end result was a video ad that Rob was thrilled with—and a creative experience I’m genuinely proud of.
Final Thoughts
I’m not adding “videographer” to my list of services anytime soon (let’s not get carried away), but I am walking away from this with a renewed sense of what I’m capable of. Sometimes the best projects are the ones that scare you a little. The ones that push you. The ones that start with “Can you help with this?” and end with “We did it.”
At The Teal Pony, we believe creativity doesn’t always live in comfort zones. It lives in collaboration, community, and occasionally… a log yard.
So here’s to saying yes, trying new things, and backing yourself—even if it’s outside your usual paddock.
