Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Scott Rovak. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Scott, thanks for taking the time to share your stories 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)?

My mentor was an apprentice at Ansel Adams’ workshops in Carmel, CA. So I started learning about black and white landscape photography and printing. But as a young photographer he started out in sports photography. I shot mostly sports and some portrait photography in high school, but I mostly kept pursuing sports. I learned so much from him. The most important lesson I learned was to never settle, never think that you know enough, that you can’t learn more. I have lived by that mantra, always looking at other photographers work.

Scott, 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?

I have been photographing professionally for over 42 years. I specialize in sports, but shoot commercial work as well. I am the St. Louis Blues and a St. Louis Cardinals Team Photographer. I am also a contract photographer for Imagn Sports Images, NHLImages, Getty Images, and I have also worked for Sports Illustrated, ESPN the Magazine, European Pressphoto Agency and other editorial clients. I also enjoy teaching and lecturing. After photographing some high school sports, I started assisting the St. Louis Cardinals team photographer for a season, and after that year, he basically had me shoot the next season by myself. When the Cardinals decided to take a change, they already knew of my work, and hired me to be a team photographer. I always used what my mentor taught me, I never feel like I can stop learning, I look at other photographer’s work, and try to come up with ways to set myself apart from the others.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I started before the internet and social media was the norm. So having the resources that people have now is more beneficial when starting a career. I’m always looking at articles, researching topics and equipment pertinent to my work.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Just the fact that now it is so much easier to look at what clients are looking for. It’s easier to reach out to potential clients, and even easier to communicate with other photographers. It’s a lot easier nowadays to follow other people’s work, which I really enjoy. That keeps the drive in me to keep working hard.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://scottrovakphotos.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottrovak/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scottrovak/
• Linkedin: Scott Rovak
• Twitter: https://x.com/scottrovak

Image Credits

All photos ©Scott Rovak Photography