We recently connected with Eric Ahlgrim and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Eric, thanks for joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I really got into photographing live music and bands while I was a graphic designer in the music industry. The bands I worked with for graphic work would invite me to shows and I asked if I could bring my camera, so they got me a photo pass and the rest was history. I was hooked. I started building a portfolio shooting as much has I could but it was very difficult at first. A lot of bands “didn’t have it in the budget” but would still like me to shoot. So I was selective on what I would shoot for free, knowing that I was building a portfolio to showcase my work and find actual paying gigs. A couple years of grinding away, paying my dues, the pandemic hit and shut down the world and live music. At that point being stuck at home I transitioned into product photography in order to keep earning money. Companies would send me product to the house and I would shoot content for them in my home studio or around my town. That’s when I got talking to Gibson Guitars. I was offered a photography position in Nashville and I am now shooting photo and video across brands for Gibson and I am extremely grateful for it. Its a dream job for me.

Eric, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Eric Ahlgrim and I’m a Nashville Based Photographer & Videographer. I enjoy being pretty well rounded in shooting. I shoot a bit of everything from live music, product, branding, weddings, you name it, however I’d say 90% of my main work is music industry related.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

The largest point in my career where I needed to make a quick shift what when the pandemic hit. Before that I had been shooting live music non stop, that was my element and that’s all I did. But when the pandemic hit and the world went on lockdown there was no more concerts. So I immediately decided to shift gears and focus on product photography. I converted my garage into a studio and I would contact random brands that I like asking if they needed photo & video content. They would ship clothing, beer, whiskey, skincare etc to my porch and I would shoot content for them and that’s what I did for 8 months while being quarantined at home. I believe all that product work is what landed me my full time position as a Photographer for Gibson Guitars.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I had to work. My. Butt. Off. I started out with a cheap ish Canon camera. Maybe not exactly cheap, but budget friendly. Shooting for bands and festivals I was just saving every dollar I made and eventually was able to upgrade my gear to a much better performing Canon setup. It took awhile, but I was determined to keep shooting and bettering my craft so that I’d feel worthy of owning such expensive gear.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ericahlgrimphoto.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/ericahlgrim?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/Eric-ahlgrim