The question was simple enough - “Why do I do what I do?”
In comparison to other photographers, I tend to deliver a lot of photos for clients, especially when I’m covering an event. For example, I averaged about 270 photos per gallery for Crossfit events at Crossfit York and Crossfit 267.
I got that question from a photo mentor of mine. I’ve been blessed to book a few large gigs lately. He’s a former photographer at a newspaper I worked at, and I wondered how he delivered so many photos for, say, a high school football game at a fast rate. He had some suggestions - being better with my camera work so less editing is required - but then he asked that question.
At first, I answered him by explaining how I want to make sure the client is happy. It’s my own internal anxiety that wants my clients to have their favorite photos, not just them relying on my own eye. They might see something in an image that I don’t.
But as the week wore on, I kept thinking about that question. I’ve logged some hours lately. I’ve seen how some photographers charge for just 20 images in a gallery. And I get it. They’re a different style of photographer and that’s just never been me. Here’s why:
When I was in high school, it was really rare to have photographers come out to your games. We got them here and there for football, and on super rare occasions for rugby. I didn’t play a ton when I played high school football - I was a third stringer at best - so when a photographer came out for a game where I ended up playing, I scoured through every photo I could.
I wanted THAT photo. That one photo that showed I was on the field. The photo that made me feel like I was part of the team. In rugby, I was a better player, but the thrill was the same. I remember someone printed a photo of me making a big hit in a rugby game and the photographer’s shot showed the hit and how the ball flew into the air. I bet if I scour my parents’ house, I still can find the photo.
Now, in the photographer’s side of the lens, I don’t want to be the person that delivers a small amount of photos, leaving players like I once was wishing there was a photo of them. I get proud after I post a gallery and get tagged in Instagram posts.
I’m young enough to remember what the rush was like. I want to give that to other people.
***
This is one of the busiest stretches I’ve been on. October/November is a busy time in my day job, and several side gigs have made it a consistent work day sun up to sun down.
I’m thankful for all of it.
I got laid off when COVID broke out. It was the beginning of 14 months of being unemployed before we moved to Philadelphia and began working at Manor College. I’ve talked about how I view that as a blessing, not once, but twice. During those months, I wanted to hone my craft, and did some, but I missed being this kind of busy.
So as a sign off, thank you to those of you who have been with me from the beginning and those who just started seeing my work. Thank you for those who have brought me in and made this the busiest few months of my life. I can’t wait to work with you all again soon!