We recently connected with Greg Caparell and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Greg thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)? Looking back at internships and apprenticeships can be interesting, because there is so much variety in people’s experiences – and often those experiences inform our own leadership style.
A very pivotal moment in my career, was when I decided to be an on call photo assistant at a fashion studio in Boston. I had 10 years experience with 5 of those years being full time freelance. I felt like I plateaued and assisting was never on my radar. I applied and got the job, and from day one I knew I had a steep steep steep learning curve ahead of me and started putting in the work. Up to that point, I didn’t have much for studio experience and being on set. During that time, everything changed, things started clicking, I started seeing instead of looking. My photography was evolving, things were becoming easier. Really starting to understand lighting. For a year and 3 months prior to covid, I got to assist, 7-8 very talented and diverse photographers, while working with various team members like art directors, I was a sponge, and soaked it all in, and practiced it when I could, so when I got my shot at being on camera, I was prepared.
Greg, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Greg Caparell, 41, married and have 3 children from Boston MA. I have 14 years experience as a photographer, and prior to that I was working for local companies photographing high school and college seniors. I received my bfa in illustration from Mass College of Art, and after realizing that path was not materializing, mixed with the company I was working for sold, I decided to embark to become a freelance photographer. All those years(6 or 7) I never saw myself as a photographer, that was work, and I left it there. I started photographing everything and anything to gain experience.
While working on photography itself, I had to learn how to run an actual business, still to this day I’m learning on both. Every step has been trial and error and figure it out as you go. I mainly stayed focused to constantly trying to improve, and that’s also true to this day. I was relentless. Eventually, I made the move to be 100 percent on my own. That brought on another learning curve, I had to ride many waves. It was challenging. After a 5 year grind, I felt like I plateaued, both photography wise, as well as income wise, and started assisting at that studio I mentioned to change things up, and now , 4 years later I’m a fashion photographer, and after all those years of photographing everything and anything, I have put a focus on concerts, weddings and events, plus the fashion. Photographing live music gives me so much life and joy. I have been doing concert photography for 8 years and nothing compares to it. My events and weddings have lead me to some cool annual events across the world, they kind of combine a little bit of everything that I mainly do. Fashion is all about the team and creatively coming together to well… create.
I think I’m most proud of the fact i haven’t given up and have remained relentless throughout. I enjoy being a photographer, I love what I do, and my camera has led me to some amazing locations, people and moments. Having a solid team really adds the polish, that is something I learned quickly at the studio, the team is everything,
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
For so long, I would produce photos that I thought my clients wanted to see, I pushed the creative envelope a little here and there, but for the most part, I was safe. I wasn’t growing it was becoming and feeling like a job. I eventually realized that I was a creative and an artist. I started producing photos I wanted to see, or how I saw things, and once I let go, and got creative again, things started clicking and now it doesn’t feel like a job. You have to see not look and its important to develop what a good photographer friend explained to me as, the art of seeing.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
My most effective strategy is simply… by word of mouth and being a good human is a great way to push that along. Anytime you work for yourself, its important to represent yourself well at all times. My energy and passion is palpable when I work. I love what I get to do, and people take notice. You never know who’s eyes are on you. I book most of my weddings, by couples who saw me in action at a wedding they attended. Being referred my photographer friends has led me to a few cool gigs that they couldn’t cover, that leads to other opportunities. Its a snowball going downhill. Most job inquires begin with “So and so referred me to you” You wont build that word of mouth train, if you are a shitty person and dont work hard or go above and beyond, or are rude to various vendors, the list could on but ultimately, everything has to be backed up with impactful imagery.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gregcaparell.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/greg_caparell
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-caparell/