Stories about photography gear, finding a photographic specialty, developing a style, negotiating a contract, licensing pictures, balancing family and career, planning for the future, and staying ahead of the competition.
For the last several months my smartphone camera has remained in my pocket and I’ve been carrying around a new camera instead. It’s made an incredible difference in what I see, what I shoot, and most particularly in the quality of the images I capture. Most amazingly though, it’s a professional camera that also allows me to get any image to social media—within seconds.
Every introduction of cutting-edge camera technology brings a set of new possibilities—some insanely valuable, some with questionable merit. What really matters to me is, “What will the technology allow me to do that I can’t already do?” If something is just marginally better than what I already have, I’ll likely stick with what I’ve got. But if it will allow me to make pictures that I couldn’t make any other way—or nearly as easily—then the line forms behind me to get my hands on it.
One day I asked myself, “If someone were to give me the complete freedom to shoot anything I wanted with an unlimited budget, what would that be?” This was meant to be an existential question about who I wanted to be in the future as a photographer. The answer changed my life as a photographer and might change yours as well.
The Nikon Ambassadors in this picture are some of the finest photographers in the world. In what is easily one of my proudest moments as a photographer, I have joined this elite and deeply talented group. To be among them is the honor of a lifetime.
There is no question that the D5 is a stunning piece of technology. The specs on the camera are convincing enough, but it wasn’t until I had the body in my hands that I realized how many possibilities were housed inside. After only a week, I’m certain it’s the camera I’ll use more than any other. Here’s why:
A few weeks ago I was introduced to a group of talented shooters whose work cries out to be more broadly seen and enjoyed. Every week, these photographers have the responsibility to capture subjects as varied as athletics, healthcare, corporate communications, and illustration. And their work is simply brilliant.
