Table of Contents
How did you get started in photography, and what drew you to this art form?
I originally began doing theatre and stage photography for the local theatre group that I was a founding member of. We always had a difficult time finding a photographer who was willing to get us images on our shoestring budget. I thought, “How hard could it be?” Well, it turns out it can be pretty hard, and a lot of work! Things grew rapidly from there, although I still do a lot of stage and theatre photography, also doing a great deal of work with ballet.
What is your preferred style or genre of photography, and why?
That’s a tough question to answer since one of the things that has kept me interested in photography all these years is the great variety of work one can find. While I usually greatly enjoy doing weddings, if that’s all I did, I would get bored! So it’s great being able to do a mix of things, from weddings to commercials, from real estate to ballet, and studio and YouTube work here at home.
How do you improve and develop your photography skills?
Practice, practice, practice! It sounds cliche, but it’s always the truth. You have to be willing to take a lot of terrible photos, and slowly learn from your mistakes before you can really get to your ultimate goal. Also trying new things is always important. Even if you don’t plan on becoming a “Street Photographer” or “Sports Photographer”, branching out and trying those things can teach you a lot of skills that you may not have otherwise gained by sticking within your current niche. And who knows, you might find something new that you love.
What equipment do you use and why?
I’m in the Sony mirrorless ecosystem – the reason for this is a bit of a longer story than one might expect. I always had a peripheral interest in photography, but picking up a DSLR just baffled me. It didn’t make sense, it was big, obtuse, and seemingly ancient technology. Then when Sony came out with their e-mount mirrorless lineup, I was suddenly interested in really doing it myself. I have a great interest in both art and technology, and the move to mirrorless technology managed to appeal to both sides of my brain. So I started with an a6000 and went from there. Currently, I’m using a pair of a7ivs and an a9.
What do you think is the most important element of a great photograph?
Above all, it’s still composition. While there are many other factors that can make an image good, especially an engaging and emotive subject, without an appealing and leading composition, it just won’t work.
What professional photographers have influenced your work?
Although I’ve never attempted to follow specifically in anyone’s footsteps, I always find the work of Erin Kuliyev and Sam Hurd inspiring.
How do you stay inspired and motivated as a photographer?
I think I already came close to answering this previously, but it’s trying new things. The great thing about photography is there is always something new to capture. And if you’re into gear and technology, just trying a new lens or new editing technique can light the fire again. And I don’t just mean the latest and greatest, but I love playing around with lower-cost manual focus lenses as well.
How do you handle difficult shooting conditions or subjects?
I generally don’t mind difficult shooting conditions, because it’s always a new opportunity to force you out of your usual box and try new things. But as an introvert, shooting difficult Subjects is really hard for me. If they’re not really interested in taking part in what we’re doing, I’m unfortunately not very interested in putting a lot of effort into them either. Oops? Haha.
What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out in photography?
Gear won’t get you there, but it also doesn’t hurt. Don’t go into debt starting your business, because it’s simply not necessary. Just shoot the type of photography you have the gear for right now, and then grow it from there. Take your time and you’ll definitely get there eventually.
What do you hope your photography communicates to your audience, and why is this important to you?
That’s a tough one! It depends on what I’m shooting. Every type of work comes with a different intention. But for me, I try to convey things as they are, but in their best light. I want people to know how beautiful the world actually is, not some imaginary sepia version of it, but to inspire with the fullness of colors and environments in which we find ourselves.
What editing software do you like to use for your finished photos?
I edit primarily in Capture One Pro, but also do a lot of my headshot editing in Luminar Neo, as it automates a lot of laborious tasks like skin correction. I know that the future is in AI editing, but I’m not a fan of how a lot of companies are trying to do much of it on server and charger per image. I’d prefer to keep it all in-house, and let my own computer do the work!
