I can still feel the pit in my stomach. It was in my early days as a sport photographer, not long after my own career as a mountain biker had ended. I was trackside at a major downhill race, posted up at the perfect corner. I’d done the work, scouted the location, and knew the best rider on the circuit was about to come flying through. This was the shot.
As I heard the rumble of tires approaching, I raised my camera, and the battery icon gave its final, mocking blink.
Panic set in. I dropped to my knees and tore open my disorganized camera bag. My heart hammered against my ribs as my hand rummaged past lenses and cables, searching for one of three identical-looking batteries, praying I’d land on the one that was charged. The rider blew past in a blur of roost and color. I missed the shot completely.
That moment of failure, of letting my own disorganization betray my effort, burned itself into my memory. It’s the real reason my wife, Vivian, and I started Field Made Co. At the heart of everything we do are two simple words: Prepared & Steadfast.
The Discipline of Being Prepared
To us, being prepared is the quiet work you do before you ever leave for a job. It's the discipline of building a kit where every component is instantly identifiable, creating a silent, intuitive conversation between you and your tools. It’s the routine you perfect in the calm of your workshop so that you can thrive in the chaos of the field.
It’s the discipline you forge so you never have to feel that pit in your stomach again.
The Freedom of Being Steadfast
Preparation is the foundation, but it exists to unlock something deeper: the freedom of being steadfast.
To be steadfast is the state of total presence you earn through preparation. It’s the quiet confidence that comes from knowing your equipment is an extension of your will, not an obstacle to it. When you are no longer distracted by the "what" and "where" of your gear, you can pour all your mental energy into the "why" of the work—capturing the story, seeing the light, and nailing the decisive moment.
That day on the race course taught me a hard lesson: passion without a system is a liability. Preparedness is what makes passion effective.
"Prepared & Steadfast" is more than our tagline. It’s our commitment to you, and our shared standard for the craft we love.
See you out there,
J.F.
