Meet the Maker behind the Makers: Paul Richardson, Story Maker
“For most of my working life, I have been helping people tell and share their stories,” Paul says with a smile, “Whether on pulp with ink, on screens with pixels, or in real life with words and music.”
Based in Montpelier, Vermont, Paul is a father, husband, writer, photographer, videographer, business owner, and storyteller (not necessarily in that order) who is passionate about creating something that didn’t exist before. He finds joy in the process of coming up with an idea and then bringing it into the world. Each new project is “a bit like what a fictional character is for a writer—you dream it up, set it in motion, and then it takes on a life of its own… and you just grab on and enjoy the ride!”
Every day is a little different for Paul. One day, he may be capturing headshots in the studio and balancing the books—another, he may be out somewhere in the world capturing video or still images for a client. “If I am really lucky,” he adds, “I am hiking and capturing landscapes.”
Paul had originally aimed to get into journalism (writing, photography, editing), but was sidetracked by business and publishing. Then, about 15 years ago, he was unexpectedly yanked back into photography in a way that combined all that he had been doing to that point. Now he helps businesses capture and tell their stories through impactful imagery, words, and video. “Stories are how we make sense of the world,” he says. “We have so little time on this marble, so the more we can do to make sense of it, the better.”
Although he’s traveled all over this marble, Paul says that Vermont “feels like where I am supposed to be, even when it is 20 below.” He loves the way he feels when he comes home to Vermont after a trip. “I also love maple creemees, and exploring the state’s backroads and forest trails—definitely in that order.”
“Vermont makers are important,” he says, “Because they are a powerful, often hidden creative force in our economy and communities. Their energy bubbles out to everything that happens here—from creating and making music, to making ice cream, battery powered airplanes, medical devices, books, furniture, maple syrup—you name it.” With the Vermont Maker Project, Paul says he loves “visiting and learning about other businesses, how they got started, how they make it all work, and what they love about what they do.”
“But, if I am being totally transparent,” he adds, “This project gives me a pretext for getting behind curtains where cool stuff is being made, learning about and meeting interesting people all over the state who are turning ideas into businesses. But also hopefully it is a way that those businesses will get more exposure, more business, more eyeballs on the amazing things they are making.”
What’s next for Paul? “I just want to carve out as much time and attention as possible to do and create things that I love, to spend time with people and things that ignite curiosity and wonder,” he says. “I am fascinated by so many things—there are never enough hours in the day to do all the things that interest me…”
Needless to say, stay tuned for more stories to come from Paul and the Vermont Maker Project in 2024.
The Vermont Maker Project
Telling stories about makers across the state of Vermont. Stories and photos by StoryWorkz. Flannel by Vermont Flannel. Learn more at vermontmakerproject.com.
