Being a Professional Photographer and taking photos sounds like a super fun and easy thing to do.. Well, it absolutely is, although, not exactly easy, and I cannot think of any other job I would rather do! After all, we get to work with the biggest range of clients and get to experience their workplaces and jobs which could be on a computer at a desk, cooking in a kitchen, manufacturing small medical tools through to large mining truck components, installing underground storm water systems, constructing houses or commercial buildings, training dogs, responding to emergencies, educating, serving coffee, and.. the list goes on..
The easy part is clicking then seeing the photo on the screen. The creating is the part that can involve an enormous amount of effort.. We will nearly always use portable studio lights that are reasonably heavy and then get supported on a stand which has a weight to hold it down.. You never know when a gust of wind or someone walking backwards will knock one over! ..it definitely happens! Thinking through the shot, coordinating the talent and props, judging ambient light and backgrounds for composition, adjusting lights, moving camera to position which may be from up high, needing to climb a tree to look down over a group of school kids, or down low laying on my front or back or side to follow puppies around as they quickly move.. holding a camera itself becomes quite a weight with out-stretched arms for extended shots which can give your shoulders and arms a solid test. Transferring from location to location whether it’s 45 degrees in crash repair & mechanic workshops, out in the sweltering sun pushing our trolley loaded with gear, or freezing cold at sunrise in the Flinders Ranges, it really is an adventure and sometimes an absolute challenge both mentally and physically to keep the shoot on track and come out with the required images, while at the same time staying focussed and friendly so everyone on set is happy. Of course there are so many photo shoots that we do that aren’t to this extreme but nearly every single one has it’s fun and sometimes crazy scenario that extends us past our comfort zone.
There are many days that we will be nearing the end of the photoshoot, and so often clients that are working with us are sore and tired, asking how we manage to do what we do all day.. I guess you just get used to it, but there is a solid amount of preparation that keeps me going now, including weight and strength training that has significantly helped with core control leading to a much stronger back and the ability to move heavy equipment safely and for long periods during photo shoots. I never would have guessed this years ago but I am now completely convinced that this is the only way.
