My Journey
How did you get started in photography?
It’s a question I’m frequently asked. I love it! I love talking about my journey. It’s unique, unexpected, and unequivocally mine.
TL;DR
Found dads old film camera; mesmerized by the process
Girlfriend (now wife) had digital SLR (single-lens reflex)
Friends were making a career out of photography; surly I can too
Found a mentor and community
The journey continues: pushing my comfort zone of creating
Here’s the long version
My dad had a film camera somewhere in the basement, (Konica), and one day I stumbled upon it and asked dad what it was. I went to Walgreens right away and got a roll of film and loaded it up. Shot the whole roll and went back to Walgreens for the film to be developed.
Anticipation 😬
When I got the prints back, it felt like magic. I created these images that I’m now holding in my hand.
Surreal 🤯
I was hooked, but film felt too slow to create. I wanted that dopamine rush sooner. So, I went to Best Buy and bought a little point and shoot camera, (I couldn’t afford a DSLR camera.) I soon realized I couldn’t get the blurring effect, (bokeh), with a point and shoot. Luckily, my girlfriend, (now my wife), had a DSLR. I “borrowed” hers—meaning, I used it all the time.
A few years into marriage, and we used our tax returns to buy a nice camera and lens. Game changer! I started shooting weddings while simultaneously reading articles, watching online workshops…any type of education I could get my hands on.
Zack Arias - Twitter Profile Pic
Zack Arias is a legendary photographer in Atlanta who shared an idea that totally changed my perspective.
“Everyone wants to make money doing weddings, but it’s a cashflow game. You might get a deposit now, but you really don’t get paid until after the wedding. In the meantime, do headshots. if someone needs a headshot today, you get paid today.”
Genius. 🧠
Peter Hurley & Headshot Crew
It made so much sense to me. I immediately pivoted and committed to being a headshot photographer.
Shortly after hearing Zack’s words, I found Peter Hurley and the Headshot Crew. This short-circuited my learning curve, and helped get me up and running much faster than I would if I did this on my own.
Now, I have a thriving business that not only provides for my family, but also allows me to explore more creative areas of photography. I continue to push my understanding of lighting, composition, color…etc, and challenge myself to get more creative with the tools I have at my disposal.