Bill Benoist

I just tried a brand-new lens… and it surprised me.

I took the Lensbaby Twist 28 out for its very first shoot, and I wasn’t expecting this level of ease—especially with manual focus. Even better, the images have a unique look that feels more emotional than technical.

Some shots worked beautifully. A few didn’t turn out the way I imagined. And one photo? It completely changed how I see this lens.

I also tested it in a few different situations—including a “portrait” experiment that didn’t quite go as planned (you’ll see why).

If you’re curious about affordable gear, creative photography, or just want to see what this lens can really do in real-world use, I think you’ll enjoy this one.

Watch the video and tell me what you think—especially about that swirling background effect.

https://youtu.be/vK9jAo6ksTE

2 days ago | [YT] | 5

Bill Benoist

I just picked up a lens I’ve been curious about for a long time… and it completely challenged the way I shoot.

This week I took the Lensbaby Velvet 56 out for a spin—and I’ll be honest; it’s not your typical lens. It forced me to slow down, rethink my distance, and really lean into creativity.

What surprised me most? The “sweet spot” wasn’t where I expected… and getting that dreamy look took more experimentation than I thought.

I also put it to the test shooting roses and wildflowers, using only in-camera settings—no Photoshop, no heavy edits.

If you enjoy creative photography, soft dreamy backgrounds, or just trying something different, I think you’ll find this one interesting.

And yes… I also picked up another lens this week that I’ll be sharing next.

Curious how this one performed—and whether it lived up to the hype?

Watch the video and see what I discovered.

https://youtu.be/cKXxMx5W--Q

1 week ago | [YT] | 5

Bill Benoist

Have you ever reached a point in life where your passion starts calling you in a new direction?

In this week’s video, I’m sharing a very personal update about the journey of this channel—from career coaching to retirement purpose, and now a deeper focus on what truly lights me up: photography.

This has been a channel of growth, reinvention, and new beginnings for more than three years, and once again, it’s evolving. I’m opening up about why I’m making this shift, what it means for the future of the channel, and how passion can continue to shape our lives in retirement.

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to follow what excites you most, even later in life, I think this video will really resonate with you.

I’d love for you to watch and come along with me on this next chapter behind the camera.

What passion are you embracing right now? Let me know in the comments after you watch the video.

https://youtu.be/nO2B8pBBn70

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 7

Bill Benoist

Have you ever wondered if a hobby from earlier in life could become something meaningful—and even profitable—in retirement?

In this week’s video, I share how photography found its way back into my life after more than 40 years. What began as a forgotten passion from my photojournalism days has become one of the most exciting parts of my retirement journey.

I also talk about several ways photography can grow into a rewarding side income after retirement—from event photography and stock photos to photo walks, workshops, real estate images, and even corporate headshots.

The best part? I truly believe age is an advantage. Life experience, patience, and the trust that comes with maturity can open doors that younger photographers may not have.

If you’ve ever thought about turning a passion into a purpose-filled side hustle, this video may give you some ideas and inspiration.

Watch the video and let me know: could photography be part of your next chapter?

https://youtu.be/tMS-0tGDQeI

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 5

Bill Benoist

Have you ever wondered if a hobby from earlier in life could become something meaningful—and even profitable—in retirement?

In this week’s video, I share how photography found its way back into my life after more than 40 years. What began as a forgotten passion from my photojournalism days has become one of the most exciting parts of my retirement journey.

I also talk about several ways photography can grow into a rewarding side income after retirement—from event photography and stock photos to photo walks, workshops, real estate images, and even corporate headshots.

The best part? I truly believe age is an advantage. Life experience, patience, and the trust that comes with maturity can open doors that younger photographers may not have.

If you’ve ever thought about turning a passion into a purpose-filled side hustle, this video may give you some ideas and inspiration.

Watch the video and let me know: could photography be part of your next chapter?

https://youtu.be/tMS-0tGDQeI

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 8

Bill Benoist

I’ve been talking a lot about going back to work in retirement—resumes, interviews, LinkedIn… all of that.

But there’s something I haven’t really touched on until now… and that’s taking a passion or hobby and turning it into income.

It’s something many of us think about. You get better at something you enjoy—photography, music, crafts—and you start to wonder, “Could I actually make money doing this?”

In this video, I share a personal example I’ve been thinking through myself, along with a simple way to test the idea without going all in.

Because there’s a real tradeoff here.

The moment a hobby becomes an obligation… it can stop feeling like something you get to do and start feeling like something you have to do.

So how do you explore the opportunity without losing the joy?

I walk through a practical 90-day approach that can help you find that answer for yourself.

If you’re in retirement and thinking about doing more with something you love, this is an important conversation.

🎥 Watch the full video to see if this approach is right for you.

https://youtu.be/eIU_GrGqqXc

1 month ago | [YT] | 12

Bill Benoist

But here's what I've learned: asking "what if" is dangerous. The real question is "what now?"

In this video, I share how Darren Hardy's "Compound Effect" changed my perspective on time and commitment. That magic penny doubling daily? It's a powerful metaphor for what consistent effort can achieve—even starting today.

Whether your passion is photography, music, golf, or something else entirely, it's never too late to restart your journey.

Watch the full video to discover why the next 10 years matter more than the last 40.


https://youtu.be/1Ytot1uolak

1 month ago | [YT] | 4

Bill Benoist

For most of my life, I avoided doctors.

I used to joke that I hadn’t seen one since I was in my 20s. Then in my 60s, I lost vision in one eye. That moment changed everything.

High blood pressure. Pre-diabetes. Weight gain. Words I never thought would describe me.

Recently, I made a decision to take my health more seriously. That included starting a GLP-1 medication to lose weight. I didn’t tell my primary doctor at first. Honestly? I was embarrassed. I was worried about being judged. I was worried about insurance problems. I was worried about a lecture.

Then something happened that forced me to schedule an appointment.

What I expected and what actually happened were two very different things.

If you’ve ever struggled with weight… avoided the doctor… or felt nervous about being honest about your health choices, I think you’ll relate to this one.

Watch the full video to hear the whole story — including the unexpected side effect and what I learned about trust along the way.

https://youtu.be/AQvMcY0qv7k

1 month ago | [YT] | 1

Bill Benoist

Have you ever been in the middle of a conversation and suddenly… the word just disappears?

It’s right there on the tip of your tongue, but no matter how hard you try, it just won’t come out. A few weeks ago during our Sunday family dinner, that exact thing happened to me. I stood there trying to remember a simple word while everyone waited. I have to admit… it felt a little embarrassing.

Later that night, I started thinking about something from years ago when I watched an older relative struggle with the very same thing. At the time, I wondered what they were thinking—and now I found myself in that exact moment.

That experience led me to look into something many of us quietly wonder about as we get older.

Is this just a normal part of aging… or something we should worry about?

In this week’s video, I share the moment that sparked this question and what I discovered after doing a little research.

If you’ve ever forgotten a word, walked into a room and wondered why you went there, or had a small “memory slip,” you may relate to this one.

Watch the video to learn more.

https://youtu.be/j0g-ht5bAX0

1 month ago | [YT] | 3

Bill Benoist

From the outside, my life probably looks simple. Maybe even… boring.

I’m not hopping on planes to exotic places. I’m not living on the road chasing sunsets. I’m not filling my calendar with tee times, social clubs, or big adventures.

Most days are quiet. Slow. Uncomplicated.

And yet, I wake up without pressure. I move through my day at my own pace. I spend time on the things that genuinely interest me. When I turn out the lights at night, I feel good about how I lived that day.

That doesn’t sound very flashy. But it feels like freedom.

In this video, I open up about what retirement looks like for me now — after leaving corporate America more than a decade ago, building a second career, and eventually deciding to step away from that too.

We all see examples of what a “dream retirement” is supposed to look like. But what if your version is quieter? What if it’s smaller… simpler… calmer?

If you’ve ever wondered whether your retirement has to impress anyone else, this video is for you.

Watch the full video. You may see your own life a little differently.

https://youtu.be/_SMBx_uqUgo

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 5