Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Robert Doyle. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Robert, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with important influences in our lives. Is there a historical figure you look up to?
Ernest Shackleton, the polar explorer. Much has been written about the man, about his leadership on various Antarctic explorations. But he was also defined by personal and financial failures. In a broader sense, he is known for his ‘successful failures’ on the ice. He never achieved the big prize, yet he never lost a man under his direct command in difficult and dangerous circumstances on any expedition. My work ethic has always been modeled on him in that I am willing to do whatever needs to be done in a work situation. If a team, a company or a polar expedition wants to be successful, everyone has to do their part, and go beyond their personal comfort level. The ‘not my job’ mindset does not work for me. Everyone working together leads to success. Mistakes, problems, challenges and difficulties are inevitable. But it is the determination to keep pushing that leads to positive results. This is what Shackleton understood and excelled in.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I have a day job, but in 2013 I set out on a creative pursuit which is where my heart truly lies. Ten years before, I started photography in earnest. Not content with just showing my photos and presenting them in small gallery settings, I was looking for something different. After a rough day at work I took a personal day off to clear my head, and found myself in a coffee shop, jotting down my various passions and interests in a notebook. Right at the top were music and photography. I decided to combine them both in the form of a blog, which I called Soundtrack Of A Photograph. The idea was simply to use my photography and select ‘soundtracks’ for them by using songs I was fond of and writing about the connection between the two. For six years it was a very big part of my life, and I spent a lot of time promoting it on social media and via various other avenues. It made me proud when a musical artist took note and thanked me for doing something that was inspired by their own music. In those six years my comfort level and love for writing increased. Eventually I set the blog aside, but have dabbled in writing ever since, and am currently working on two very distinctive research projects-one historical based, and one music based.
What I found once I started this creative journey is that it unlocked a lot of things that had been stored in my mind for years, and united them in ways that I had never imagined. History, culture, art, transportation, science, literature and above all- music, became interlocked from my own unique perspective. I enjoy the challenge of presenting them in ways that may not have been done so before. What I learned as I began collecting different genres of music, and learning how songs are actually created made me really think about the process of art and creativity. The pursuit of the exploration fuels me and I am never content with the status quo in life. There is always something new out there and it is yours for the taking. This is another lesson I learned from Ernest Shackleton. History is constantly teaching and is relevant to life today. And I hope that what I show in my photography and writing pulls these disparate elements together in a new and relatable way to current life.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Beyond any financial rewards of being a creative, it is the fulfillment of putting something out in the universe you know is unique. It is mine, it came from my mind, my eye, my voice. The ‘buzz’ I feel when I am about to share a project is both thrilling and satisfying. I also feel rewarded when people react positively, and let you know how it relates to them, or how they had no idea about the subject matter and learned something new is the greatest feeling. On the photography side, it is discovering new subjects to photograph. I typically carry my camera with me daily, always looking for a different angle or perspective. It might be a new place or neighborhood I have never been to before, something I see while hiking, or even on my daily commute. Where I currently live has a wonderful view of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline out my window. Both the river and sky ever look the same, so I enjoy capturing those moments.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Initially my social media presence was just starting profiles on all the major platforms. But I quickly realized that to really grow you have to utilize the features and interaction of each one differently. In other words, not post the same exact content in the same exact way. It helps to mix things up and approach each one differently. It is also vital to truly engage with your followers. Some people will build a profile and hardly ever interact with followers, which is a crucial mistake to me. I feel it is very important to utilize the like for a like element in social media. If someone outside your friend and family circle comes across your work, and your social media and follows you, it will keep them loyal if you return the favor and engage with them. To be successful at social media you need to devote time to it daily, or at least plan a set time one night a week when you work for a solid hour on promotion, and supporting other artists.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://soundtrackphoto.smugmug.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soundtrack_photo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundtrackPhoto
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-doyle-98872525/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@soundtrackphoto2831
- Other: https://robpatdoy.wordpress.com/
Image Credits
All Photos by Robert P Doyle
SoundtrackPhoto
Soundtrack Of A Photograph
soundtrack_photo