Call Me Mabie
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Justin Mabie is a professional photographer and videographer.
07/10/2026
So many makers I’ve ever filmed have had one thing in common before I showed up. They wondered why anyone would care about *their* story. Not because they lacked confidence but because when you’ve lived your own life every day, it doesn’t feel all that remarkable.
You’re just building furniture. You’re just forging steel. You’re just restoring old tools. You’re just taking photos. You’re just making another project.
But from the outside, those “ordinary” days are fascinating. After filming over 40 documentaries, I’ve realized that the projects are rarely what people remember most. It’s the setbacks, the weird detours, the moments of doubt, the friendships, the reasons they started, and the reasons they kept going.
That’s the part I’m always chasing. The sawdust, sparks, and finished pieces might get people to click but the human story is what makes them stay in my opinion.
Who’s someone in the maker community you think has a story worth telling? Tag them below.
I drove hella miles this past weekend... and every stop had one thing in common. There was Ashley shaping wood, Keith installing a piece that started in his shop and ended in someone’s home, Patrick and Carlina building their dream in the Pine Barrens, and Gabi creating something permanent with a tattoo machine. Different people, different crafts, but all with the same obsession.
I try to never forget how lucky I am that this weird little career lets me spend so much time with people who still make things with their hands. Every trip reminds me why I fell in love with this community in the first place.
(And yes... after all those miles, I came home to a shop that still has no power after three days⚡️)
Ashley Pieper
Keith Johnson Woodworking
✨ Gabi ✨
Patrick & Carlina
Sawdust Gypsy
You can learn a lot from a video but sometimes all it takes is someone standing next to you saying, “Move your hand here.” That’s the value of hands-on learning. A teacher can spot mistakes you don’t even know you’re making, helping you improve faster and build confidence at the bench. What’s something you struggled to learn until someone showed you in person?
If you’re looking to sharpen your skills, the Florida School of Woodwork (Florida School of Woodwork) offers hands-on classes where students learn directly from experienced craftspeople in a real shop environment.
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Huge thanks to Frank Strazza
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Elkridge, MD
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