Today we’d like to introduce you to Gary Randall
Hi Gary, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been interested in photography it seems. When I was just six years old my mom and dad bought me a Brownie Hawkeye camera. They would buy me a roll or two of 12 exposure black and white film. Black and white film cost less and it was cheaper to develop. That one camera is what sparked my interest in photography. I have always had a camera but, for the most part, would take snapshots of my family and friends and an occasional photo of places that I would visit.
When I joined the Navy I bought my first 35mm camera, a Yashica Electro 35 Rangefinder. There was a dark room at the bast where I was stationed and decided to join the photography club and learn how to develop my own photos.
When I left the Navy my career got in the way of my photography hobby, I went back to just taking snaps of my family again. In time my job went away and instead of pursuing it further I decided to become a professional photographer. At that time in my life I was single again and my children had just left the home to be on their own. The only one who depended on my was my dog. I started by taking most any photography job that would pay.
Back then I was hiking a lot. I would take a week each Spring to go to Southern Utah to solo hike in the desert. I was so struck by the beauty that I was experiencing I decided to buy a digital camera – A Nikon D40 DSLR. This is what got me into landscape photography.
Since then I have been photographing landscapes more than any of the commercial work that I used to do. It has become my purpose in life. Today I will still do some commercial work if it pays well, but most of my income comes from selling prints and conducting workshops.
Photography has given my life more meaning and I’m happy about where I am today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been an easy road but nothing has been unsurmountable. It hasn’t been easy to rise above the huge crowd of photographers that have developed since the digital craze but creating the best photos that I can and providing my clients the best service has served me well. There are enough clients for us all.
With that being said many people are caught up in trying to build an online presence while they pass up good work in real life. What has carried me through the years is building a strong relationship with clients in person. If someone wants to become a professional photographer they need to be varied in their skill and ready to accept jobs that might not be ideal but pay well. In my case I have taken jobs that range from portraiture to real estate. Commercial jobs and events such as weddings etc. Even though what I’ve always wanted to do with my photography has been fine art landscape photos, I was always willing to accept most any work that would come my way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At this point in my career I concentrate more on my love of the outdoors and creating landscape and wildlife photos. I travel when I can to places that are conducive to an epic outdoor experience and beautiful photography.
When those who know of me think of me I think that they think first of my landscape work. That’s what I’m known for. Pretty pictures of epic places will draw the most attention to me and my business, especially online through social media.
I’m most proud of the art that I create with my landscape photography. It is the genre that allows the most artistic expression.
I think that a formula was created when I combined my personality and my artistic work. My personality and the quality of my wildlife photography sets me apart from the largest part of the crowd, I think.
What were you like growing up?
I traveled a lot with my family when I was a boy. My father was in the US Navy and we would move to a different city every few years. Because of that I didn’t really have any lifelong friends until I was in high school, after my father retired from service. My father was an avid outdoorsman so we would spend a lot of time hiking and camping.
That created a part of my personality that seeks solitude, especially in the outdoors surrounded by the Natural world. With an interest in the outdoors, art and photography I am who I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gary-randall.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/gary_randall
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/garyrandallphotography
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegaryarandall
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC85x0RMRk889Owh-_sSHM7A
- Other: https://flickr.com/photos/rowdey/
Image Credits
Gary Randall