Why Camplight? The spark behind the name and brand
When I started Northwest Montana Field Journal, it was a simple project: a small website to support the launch of my book by the same name. I imagined it as a quiet way to share what I loved: plants, animals, stories, and landscapes of the place I called home.
But like many creative projects, it grew. Over time, what began as a book turned into a small business. I started making cards, stickers, posters, children’s books, bandanas, and more. These pieces celebrated the natural history, humor, and beauty of Northwest Montana. I also began collaborating with local businesses and nonprofits on custom projects: a trail map here, a nature scavenger hunt there, a whole book about the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
Eventually, I realized that the name I started with no longer fit the shape of the work I was doing. I had grown beyond a single book. I had grown beyond a single place.
Today, I’m excited to introduce Camplight Creative—a new name that reflects the heart of what I do and where I hope to go.
Why “Camplight”?
I chose the name Camplight Creative because it evokes light, warmth, and the outdoors in a way that is inclusive of many places, seasons, and stories. I’ve spent deep time in several landscapes: Montana, Washington, Wyoming, Utah, the Adirondacks, Baja. Each has shaped my work in its own way. What ties it all together is a sense of curiosity, comfort, and presence—qualities I associate with Camplight.
Think of a tiny ember, the bright beam of a headlamp, the steady glow of a lantern, or the dancing flames of a fire. Light at camp can be playful or practical, soft or illuminating. It helps us see in the dark. It draws people together. It creates space for rest, reflection, laughter, and story.
To me, each of these metaphors speaks to the creative process: small sparks becoming ideas, guidance in uncertain terrain, moments of insight shared with others. That’s the kind of work I want to keep making.
What Is Camplight Creative?
Camplight Creative is an art and storytelling studio that makes illustrated books, maps, journals, and educational tools to help people connect with nature and place.
Whether it's a rhyming alphabet book or a punny sticker, everything I make is rooted in a love for wild places, thoughtful design, and a bit of playful humor.
This rebrand allows me to fully align my offerings with my values:
Nature Journals
Seasonal guided prompts
Field sketching and reflection exercises
Journals for solo wanderers, kids, and group use
Illustrated Maps & Brochures
Park, watershed, and trail system maps
Interpretive illustrations and educational overlays
Books & Zines
Illustrated nonfiction and nature storytelling
Ecology meets humor meets sense of place
Curriculum & Signage
Educational worksheets, field guides
Interpretive signs for nonprofits and land trusts
Goods for Nature Nerds
Stickers, posters, postcards, and apparel
Campy facts, fun designs, nerdy vibes
Who Is Camplight For?
Camplight is for nature lovers, outdoor educators, creative wanderers, and anyone who feels a little more themselves under an open sky.
It’s for:
Camp staff, naturalists, and science educators looking for playful, place-based materials
Hikers, journalers, and nature nerds seeking meaningful tools for the trail
Bookstores, parks, and nonprofits that want custom, illustrated goods that reflect their landscape
Anyone who values story, design, and connection to the natural world
What Comes Next?
This new name opens the door to new work. I’m expanding the Field Journal product line with The Grand Canyon Field Journal followed by The Salish Sea Field Journal. Each is designed to help people explore and reflect on the places they love.
I’m also continuing to take on custom collaborations: maps, signage, curriculum, and other tools that blend creativity, education, and a deep sense of place.
A Final Note
To everyone who has supported Northwest Montana Field Journal over the years, thank you. This new chapter builds on everything that came before, but with more clarity, more possibility, and more room to grow.
At its core, Camplight Creative is about helping people feel more at home in wild places—and more wild in their everyday lives.