In the dimly lit confines of Flagler College’s darkroom, I first felt the magic of photography take hold. The gentle swishof chemicals, the anticipation as images slowly appeared on paper – these sensory experiences ignited a passion that would define my career for the next two decades. Today, as I reflect on my journey from those early darkroom days to my current role as a commercial and fine art photographer, I’m struck by how much has changed – and how much remains the same at the core of what we do as visual storytellers.
The Darkroom Days: Where It All Began
My introduction to photography came as a somewhat unexpected detour during my graphic design studies. The first time I developed my own print, watching the image gradually emerge in the developer tray, I was hooked. There was something almost alchemical about the process – a perfect blend of science and art that resonated deeply with me.
Those early darkroom sessions taught me invaluable lessons:
- Patience: Unlike today’s instant digital feedback, film photography required a methodical approach. Each shot was precious, and the development process demanded care and precision.
- Technical foundation: Understanding exposure, contrast, and tonal range at their most fundamental level has proven invaluable throughout my career.
- The power of craft: There’s a tactile satisfaction in creating something with your hands that I still strive to maintain in my digital workflow.
Transitioning to the Advertising World
After graduation, my path took an unexpected turn into advertising. As an Art Director, I found myself on the other side of the lens, collaborating with photographers to bring creative concepts to life. This experience was formative in ways I couldn’t have anticipated:
- I learned to articulate visual ideas clearly and work as part of a larger creative team.
- Observing top-tier photographers in action was an education in itself, exposing me to diverse styles and problem-solving approaches.
- I developed a keen understanding of how photography fits into broader marketing strategies and brand narratives.
Looking back, this “detour” was actually laying crucial groundwork for my future as a commercial photographer.
The Digital Revolution: A New Frontier
In 2007, the siren call of digital photography became too strong to ignore. The industry was undergoing a seismic shift, and I knew it was time to step fully behind the lens once again. The learning curve was steep – trading darkroom chemicals for Lightroom presets, film rolls for memory cards – but the fundamental principles of composition, lighting, and visual storytelling remained constant.
The digital transition opened up new possibilities:
- Experimentation: The ability to shoot hundreds of frames without the cost of film allowed for greater creative risks.
- Immediate feedback: Chimping (checking images on the camera’s LCD) became both a blessing and a curse, allowing for on-the-spot adjustments but also potentially disrupting the flow of a shoot.
- Post-processing power: Digital editing tools vastly expanded the creative possibilities in post-production, though I’ve always strived to maintain a balance, believing that capturing as much in-camera as possible leads to the most authentic results.
Finding My Niche: Commercial and Fine Art
As I honed my digital skills, I found myself drawn to two seemingly disparate areas of photography: commercial work and fine art. On the surface, they might appear to be polar opposites – one client-driven, the other a pure form of personal expression. In reality, I’ve found that each informs and enriches the other.
My commercial work, spanning architecture, product photography, and lifestyle shoots, demands precision, problem-solving, and the ability to translate a client’s vision into compelling imagery. This technical rigor and attention to detail directly influence my approach to fine art projects.
Conversely, the creative freedom and experimentation in my fine art photography – like my series exploring abstract forms in handblown glass – often spark ideas that find their way into commercial projects, keeping my work fresh and innovative.
The Ongoing Evolution
Twenty years into this journey, I’m still learning, still evolving. The photography industry continues to change at a dizzying pace:
- Smartphones have made everyone a potential photographer, raising the bar for professionals to deliver trulyexceptional work.
- Social media has transformed how we share and consume images, creating new opportunities and challenges.
- Emerging technologies like AI-enhanced editing tools and computational photography are redefining what’s possible in our field.
Yet, amidst all this change, the fundamental goal remains the same: to create images that move, inspire, and communicate. Whether I’m shooting a high-stakes advertising campaign or a personal project destined for a gallery wall, I’m driven by the same sense of wonder that I felt in that college darkroom all those years ago.
As I look to the future, I’m excited by the possibilities that lie ahead. The tools may change, but the eye of the photographer – honed through years of experience and a deep love for the craft – remains the most vital instrument of all.
To aspiring photographers, I offer this advice: embrace the technical knowledge, stay curious about new tools and techniques, but never lose sight of the emotion and story you want to convey through your images. That’s the thread that ties together every stage of this incredible photographic journey.
