![]() If you find yourself drawn to a particular painter, or period, ask yourself what it is that compels you. Go to museums and gallery shows – even if they’re not photography related. I also recommend immersing yourself in the visual arts a much as possible. Then taking the next one and the next, and always looking forward. That’s the most difficult thing about starting a journey: taking that first step. It’s common sense, sure, but just get out there and do it. Practicing your craft is, bar none, the best way to get better and to allow your own style to shine through. Shoot, shoot, shoot! It’s common advice, but there’s a good reason for it. Then, when you combine these aesthetic aspects of photography with the actual content you like to photograph you most likely already have a style. ![]() When you pickup a camera and have a certain way of arranging the frame, the composition, the lighting, the mood – all without thinking – then you’re on your way to finding your own personal style. I didn’t fully understand this at first either. This is something that a lot of photographers starting out can have trouble grasping. I think to be successful you absolutely must have a unique style. #4 – What do you suggest to a new photographer that can help them develop their own photographic style? How long did it take you to find your groove?īeing a professional photographer is one of those super competitive businesses. The secret to success as a photographer is to work your butt off. I love what I do so much, and so it doesn’t seem like work. I spend a tremendous amount of time shooting, marketing, working on personal projects and networking. It means so much to me to hear from people who’ve been influenced in some way, great or small, by my imagery.ĭoors have opened for me partly because of my style but more importantly doors have opened for me because of hard work. That said, having my work out there is fulfilling, but the best part is when I get emails from people saying that my work inspired them in some way. It’s a bit surreal to see all these people discussing my work and it sets the bar high for future projects. I’ve been seriously humbled by the response. I’ve been fortunate to have multiple bodies of work go viral, including my humor and aerial fine art work. #3 – What has the response to your images been? Have you seen doors opened due to your unique style? Oftentimes I’ll shoot the background separately and then shoot the talent in a studio, or in a location that I don’t have to pay for. I frequently rely on compositing if the locations are exotic in anyway (and by exotic I mean anywhere outside my front door). If I’m doing a personal project I’m always on a budget, and that forces me to be creative with my production. Once an idea is in play, I think “Okay, now how am I actually going to shoot this.” I think like a producer – where will I shoot this? Where will I cast the talent? How large a crew will be necessary? What type of gear will I need? What props will I use? Are there permitting and logistical issues I need to consider? #2 – What is your workflow for your images? Do they mostly consist of single images or also some composites? If you don’t mind, can you walk us through the process from camera to finished image? I like trying to push my body of work in new directions and to not repeat myself. When I have time to shoot a new personal piece it’s like trying to pick between my babies.Įventually, I settle on something that I love, which is unique to what I’ve done so far. I do this not as a job, but as a passion. ![]() I have folders with hundreds of screenshots, and iPhone snaps that inspired a funny thought. I have a Word doc dozens of pages long, with single line ideas in it. When beginning a new personal project it can be a bit overwhelming because it’s not about finding inspiration, but about sifting through the zillion ideas, pictures, thoughts and ideas I’ve had and trying to select just one. I shoot humor-based work for clients and I also shoot for myself. I try not to take life too seriously, to always see the positives in things, and I want my work to reflect these sentiments. I enjoy showing an amusing version of the ordinary. Like a camera lens, humor can refocus the way we see the world. But what I love is that humor can push me to see, or think, differently. I like to laugh, sure, I mean stating the obvious here. Whether it be written, drawn, spoken, or televised I have a deep appreciation for humor. Can you tell us a little about your thought process? How do you come up with the ideas for them? What steps do you follow to make them reality? So I did an email interview with Zack to ask him a few questions: #1 – Your work is very unique with a particular sense of humor. When dPS first heard about Zack Seckler’s unique style and perspective on photography, we thought you might like to hear about his though process and see some of his work here.
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