Meet Christopher Brown

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christopher Brown. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Christopher, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I didn’t find my purpose in one dramatic “aha” moment – it was a gradual unfolding over time and eventually, it turned out that the seemingly unrelated things I loved were actually pointing in the same direction.

I’ve always been a creative and intensely curious person. Music, film, photography, history, travel, cultural studies — these are lifelong passions. I first tried a serious path in filmmaking, obtaining my Bachelor’s Degree in Film but soon began to feel disillusioned and disinterested in this endeavor as a career. I’ve played drums since childhood but upon leaving home (and my drums with it), nearly 15 years passed before I played again. Meanwhile, I built a stable career in the Financial industry — something I never saw coming — and while it grounded me and built stability and numerous professional skills, it didn’t feed my curious, artistic, and exploratory spirit.

I’ve found that purpose isn’t always a straight line; sometimes those things you are passionate about prompt your path in unexpected ways. When I went back for my Master’s in History and made a documentary for my thesis — almost as an experiment — everything suddenly clicked. The film brought together my music, my visual arts, the love of storytelling, and my fascination with the past. That project was unexpectedly successful, beyond my modest goal of a passing grade, and I began to delve more deeply in the worlds of historic media, tours of historic sites, and historic preservation, all involving my various skills sets and passions… exploration, curiosity, creativity, and the desire to help people see the world — and their own stories — with a little more depth and wonder.

So “finding my purpose” was a winding, organic path and has continuously surprised me along the way. And is still unfolding!

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m someone who explores and documents stories — whether it’s through film, photography, music, or historical projects. Following Footprints Media is really the home for all those things under one roof. The common thread is curiosity. I love digging into real places, real people, and real histories and presenting them in a way that feels engaging and meaningful.

What’s exciting to me is that my work sits at the intersection of creativity and discovery. I’m not just making images or films for the sake of it. I’m trying to help people see the depth and beauty in the world around them — whether that’s through a documentary on Boston’s West End, a set of photographs from a trip, or an oral history interview that preserves someone’s lived experience. I’m drawn to projects that have emotional weight or cultural significance, and I enjoy the challenge of taking something complex or overlooked and making it accessible.

One thing I want people to know about my brand is that it’s intentionally broad. I’m not limited to one medium because different stories call for different approaches. Sometimes that’s a short film, sometimes a photo series, sometimes a historical tour or presentation. I like having the flexibility to choose the right tool for the story.

As for what’s new — I’m continuing to expand the history side of my work. This includes more in-person talks, more documentary projects, and a growing focus on oral histories. I’m also developing new photography collections and exploring collaborations with other creatives and historians. On the side, I remain a passionate musician and hope to perform more regularly in the year ahead with my various bands. Overall, my goal is to keep building a body of work that inspires curiosity and helps preserve the stories that shape us.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

First, I would say optimism and an enduring sense of new possibilities. I had a lot of moments where it felt like certain dreams were dead or that I’d missed my chance. Staying open to the idea that things can unexpectedly change and new doors can suddenly open, even years later, made a huge difference. My advice for anyone starting out is to give yourself permission to grow into your goals. You don’t need everything figured out right away. Take risks and let yourself mess up. It’s how you learn.

Second, finding the right communities. So many of the unexpected turns in my life happened because I connected with people who shared similar interests or values. Meeting musicians through my job brought me back to drumming. Connecting with historians helped me grow academically. Being around creative people made me excited about filmmaking again. Surround yourself with folks who “get” what you’re trying to do, who you respect, and whose company you enjoy. It makes the process easier and a lot more fun.

Third, focusing on your own progress instead of comparing yourself to everyone else. I spent a lot of time feeling like I was “behind” because my path wasn’t linear. The moment I stopped measuring myself against other people’s timelines, everything felt lighter. You can’t control what anyone else is doing, but you can track your own steps and notice how far you’ve actually come.

So, I’d recommend staying open to possibility, building genuine connections, and focusing on your own growth, being willing to take on challenges and discomfort with the knowledge that you’ll continue to grow and improve.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes, I’m absolutely open to collaboration. A lot of the best things in my creative life have come from working with people who bring different strengths, perspectives, or experiences to the table. Because my work spans film, photography, music, and history, there are a lot of directions collaboration can take.

I’m especially interested in connecting with people who share a curiosity about real stories, people, and places — historians, filmmakers, musicians, researchers, cultural organizations, and anyone working on projects that preserve or highlight meaningful human experiences. I enjoy partnering with folks who are thoughtful, reliable, and genuinely passionate about the work they do.

I’m open to partnering on oral history projects, documentary ideas, photography assignments, historical presentations, and creative cultural projects. Collaboration doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it starts with a simple conversation about an idea or a shared interest, and from there it can grow into something much bigger, often unexpectedly.

If someone reading this feels a spark or thinks our interests might align, I’d be happy to talk. They can reach out through my website, connect with me on social media, or send an email. I’m always open to hearing from people who believe in the value of storytelling and exploration. And I’m always down to just jam with some fellow musicians!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.followingfootprints.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/followingfootprints/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-brown-3570a0206/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FollowingFootprintsMedia
• Other: https://followingfootprints.bandcamp.com/

Image Credits

Photos by Christopher Brown and Anna Morgan