The DecisiveDesign Blog

I recently met a fellow photographer that seems to have taken the same path that I am currently following.  I really enjoy her work, and hope to become as successful as she has.  She was awesome enough to grant me an interview, so here we go!

Emily Rusk of DigitalPixels.org

Photographer: Emily Rusk - DigitalPixels.org

Q. You seem to have followed the same path that I am currently on. Tell me a little more about your beginnings in photography. Why, when, where, etc. How long have you been into it?

A. ” I found photography completely by accident. I think that’s what makes it so special for me – it wasn’t planned, it just happened. My dad always had a camera around, film and digital. He mostly liked landscapes, nature, wildflowers, macro photography. We went to visit Fredericksburg one Spring Break in 2003, and he lent me one of his Nikon point & shoots. I took some pics, not thinking anything would come of it, just for the heck of it. Turned out I was halfway decent, and after that, I got my own little point & shoot, and just started shooting anything and everything.

Why do I do this? Photography is an art form, as many things are. I was never good at painting or drawing… but I like to see the beauty in this world. There’s beauty in many things, whether its a beaten up old car or a pretty model. Many people don’t stop and look at the beauty all around us – but being able to capture that with a lens, makes it worth it. With a camera, I’m able to make an art form, one that is beautiful to me. “

Photographer: Emily Rusk - DigitalPixels.org

Q. What were some of the challenges you faced when you decided to pursue it to a more professional level?

A. “ There are many, many challenges. Photography is incredibly hard to make money out of sometimes. The kind of photography that pays isn’t the kind that lets you be creative. I could probably go out there and make money if I wanted to, if I wanted to do weddings and that sort. But I don’t feel like you can be creative in wedding photography. You have a set list of shots that have to be done, and there isn’t much time to be creative. And the basis of most of my photography is the drive to be creative, whether its an idea in my head before a shoot is even planned or in post-production.

Another struggle is having to spend much more than I take in. Equipment is not cheap. And in model photography, the expenses just gets larger and larger. Makeup artists, hairstylist, wardrobe stylists. After that, there’s not much left for a photographer! It’s also quite hard to go from doing shoots for free to get experience to being a paid, experienced photographer. “

Q. What was your first paying gig and what type of experience was it for you?

A. ” I unfortunately haven’t had that many paid gigs. I have had some referrals that turned out to be paid. One was an actor headshot, which resulted in me possibly venturing out that opportunity for future paying opportunities. The session was only half an hour, and I got some good headshots, as well as some cash. “

Q. Do you usually seek out subjects/gigs, or do they find you? What is your process?

A. ” Both. At first, it was all about finding things myself. Every learning opportunity in photography I have found myself, such as workshops. My process is manic networking, which can be time-consuming. It’s browsing many model websites to find possible ideas, and in the beginning, models that are starting out. As I get more experience, so do the subjects that I photograph, and the ideas. I am starting to get inquiries from people that find me – once your work gets to a certain level, the work does speak for itself. “

Photographer: Emily Rusk - DigitalPixels.org

Q. What is your standard load out on a normal shoot? What equipment is on your dream list right now?

A. “ Less is more, and I don’t really like lugging around a bunch of equipment. For a typical, outdoor portrait shoot, I will bring the following: camera & accessories, sometimes I will bring 2 lenses, but rarely do I use both. I always have some kind of reflector with me. I have a large 5-in-1 circular reflector that I have, as well as a smaller one. I also have a very large lite panel, that can be used as a large diffuser or reflector, and is great for full body shots. I also have a tripod around, but I rarely use it.

Equipment on my dream list would be a studio with studio lighting. I would love some backdrops, a ringlight, and 1 or 2 Alien Bee 800’s, with some softboxes. I also am eyeing the 100 mm f/2.8 Macro lens right now, for when I want to do some serious macro work. “

Q. What processes or techniques do think you need or want to perfect or work on?

A. ” Lighting. I understand it better than I used to, but lighting is still hard to grasp. Mostly studio lighting is what is hardest to learn. Outdoor lighting I can handle, but studio lighting makes me head throb at times. I want to really for once actually understand it all, instead of just somewhat grasp it. “

Q. Have you considered going full time with photography? What holds you back or pushes you forward? Will it ever happen? What is your end-all be-all goal?

Photographer: Emily Rusk - DigitalPixels.org

A. “Of course. I haven’t, simply because photography can be an instable income, and I like a stable paycheck. If it happens, great. If it doesn’t, that’s okay too. Above all, I do this for me. Not for money, or fame, or anything like that. It’s my creative outlet. Sure, if I got paid for it, that would be awesome. But realistically, that may or may not happen, so I like to have a backup plan.

I would love to have my own studio one day, or even teach photography. I would love to be a photographer for a major modeling agency, such as Kim Dawson or Campbell here in Dallas. “

Thanks Emily!

Note: All images in this post are property of Emily Rusk and have been posted with her permission.

Let me begin this post [rant - maybe? - we'll see where this goes] with a few facts about my communication habits:

• If I can answer the phone when you call, I do… If I can’t answer, I’ll call you back the second I am able to… If I can’t answer or call, I’ll text or e-mail you, pretty much immediately
• All three of my e-mail accounts, along with my twitter feed, are constantly active on my desktop and phone, wherever I go
• I spent 2.5 years in the professional audiovisual industry where I dealt with hiring and managing freelance professionals – Does it really take $$$ for people to communicate at all, much less well?

Now, maybe I’m a freak, or perhaps the only person that doesn’t like to delay people’s plans because of a lack of information from me, but you don’t have to be as anal about communication as I am to keep people informed and up to date.

Now, enough about me, lets talk about you – yeah, the one that doesn’t carry the phone anywhere near your person, or doesn’t check their e-mail, like… ever, or sends an initial e-mail/text/voicemail and then doesn’t continue the conversation after I reply…

WHY!

How can you possibly expect to get anywhere when you don’t communicate with the people around you?  If you want to be a part of something, or get work, you’re going to have to learn to be prompt and punctual, in person and correspondence.  

Through the years, I’ve had anything from zero communication to confirmed appointments that turned out to be no-shows.  What motivates the lack of common courtesy we are seeing?  Maybe it’s the age group I’m usually working with… or the lack of consequences in the freelance world.  Hopefully these experiences won’t continue as I move forward.  

Unfortunately, it’s not just in the industry, many of the people I interact with on a regular basis seem to communicate selectively, and it simply drives me crazy.  A simple “I can’t make it,” “I’m not interested,” “No, we won’t be able to get that for the new office,” or “I’ve got other plans” will suffice much better than an “I’ll be there,” when you’re not going to show up, or no response at all.

Now, while this wasn’t directed at anyone particular, I hope everyone will stop for a second and think about their communication habits.  It only takes a few seconds to avoid wasting hours, even days of someone else’s time.  In todays hectic, fast-paced society we need to maintain professional courtesy for our sake and that of those around us.  Besides, you never know who will give you that next hand up, so you probably don’t want to land yourself on anyone’s black list.

[/rant]