As an artist and a photojournalist when I went into starting a photo business I heard from my artist and journalist friends ask me 'really?? will you be happy doing that' as if they thought I was taking a step backwards in my photo career. Then I heard from others who knew me from the paper who said, finally you're doing what you were meant to do. Its funny how folks perceive different styles of photography. For me making images has its daily struggles no matter what form it is. The key is finding your photograph(s). And what does that mean really? Is my work predicated on a single focus? Well in a sense it is. My focus is on creating something that truly gets at the heart of the matter with my subject/setting/mood etc... And that takes on a new meaning everyday and sometimes every second of the day. A really great friend of mine said that you have to change the culture of what people expect to see, you have to educate them to what you do and are bringing to the table, you need to show the public why they want to come to you and not one of the other photographers.' This was a way of me hearing that I need to be true to myself. Well I still make photographs based on the needs of my clients that I learn from discussions with them, but slowly it seems people are coming to me because of what I offer and not just because they need a photographer. This is what I want. I will refer clients to others if they really are looking for pictures in a style I can't wrap my brain around. To me this only makes sense. I am often intrigued and willing to try things however and will sometimes give it a shot to see if I can add something new to my repitoire and make they 'look' into something of my own as well. But mostly I think if we explore the possibilities of making a photograph together and I earn my subjects trust, then I feel we'll make something pretty cool. The photo above I said to my client, the Varee's that I thought I was making that image for myself and was thrilled when they ordered it. They also ordered a photograph of Kevin with his head down as well and his face hidden by his hat. They saw the potential of the photograph being not just a picture of Kevin, but a photograph that says something and is of Kevin---thats what good portraits are - something that intrigues the viewer even beyond just liking the picture because of who is in it. This is a hard thing to get across to people, but if you can combine art with you love of the subject itself, then you really have something. Now I'm never completely happy with my work and I think thats good overall--it makes me want to get better each time I venture out to do something. I don't feel one form of photography is superior to another--each has an extreme importance to the situation. A family portrait will hang on someone's wall for years to come--thats pretty serious stuff. A newspaper photograph informs and can lead to social awareness and change-thats extremely important. Creating personal expressions of art is self awareness manifested and this leads to personal growth which leads to creating a unique perspective on the world - this is extremely important. Plus all this work I do keeps me off the streets and out of trouble. Photographs by Richard Sayer
Rich,
After reading the comments you wrote about "making photographs -(thought provoking ones, and more), I did not want the commentary to stop !!! You probably just let the words flow, but it seemed as though you thought everything out, created a "flow outline of ideas", and then joined those thoughts into the best form of "occupational inspiration" I have ever read - damn! ( excuse the mild expletive).
Just to let you know how thought-provoking and inspirational it was , after reading it and viewing the photographs you made, I sat here, filled with a mindful of ideas, and thought I could sit here and write a book entitled " The Three Point Farmer" ( as in making the long three point shot in basketball) or "Shoot the Plow ( instead of foul) Shot", or "The Farmer's Court" ( as in basketball court)... I can hardly focus on anything else and get myself started to work! Man, reading this magnificent piece, from an honest, inspirational photographer, just brought out the sun on this rainy, autumn day... WOW !
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Pam Severo
11/7/2013 10:02:25 pm
As someone who has enjoyed having you photograph my girls since 2003 or earlier, I am one of those people who was ecstatic that you finally started doing portraits. I couldn't wait for you to start photographing sports team as well. You have such a way with the athletes when it comes to their sports photos. You 'capture' their uniqueness on the team.
I love your images from all the different genres but I love looking at your Senior portraits the most. I feel like, without even knowing the person, I know the person through your images. I am so happy that you chose to bring your images to the masses!!
Rich,
Hi. Great shots. I believe you've captured the mood this person was looking for. Especially wonderful in the shot above your thoughts, the one with the tractor. For me it expresses a feeling, a sense of America that we don't often see but exists in our collective mind. Rock on.