BF Stop 2

I was a professional Rock guitar player. I also did some web and graphic design part time for my Church.  I worked for a year as an Advertising photographer for some magazines and the Kansas City Star, while I lived in KC.

BF: So when did you realize that you could make a living shooting pictures?

Funny story, I was working in a Camera Pro store and kept getting asked questions about flash and lighting. The people who were asking me were making money shooting weddings.  The thought of shooting weddings had never crossed my mind, but I saw they were making a lot more than I was at the camera store and at the paper. I always said, “If I’m not on the cover of Rolling Stone then I am going to shoot the cover of Rolling Stone.” I am still trying to shoot the cover, since I gave up trying to be on it four years ago. But in all seriousness, even back in 2001-2002 really before Digital was so common, there were still not very experienced photographers shooting weddings and making a decent income. We also processed film, and I swear half the time the negs were so badly underexposed. It was sad. I set aside my commercial attitude towards wedding and portrait photographers and became one of them.

BF: Was there a photographer (or anyone else) that inspired or influenced you?

The first photographer that I really identified with and made me start looking at photography as a real profession and not a hobby was Herb Ritts. He is still a huge inspiration.  Recently, I have been drawn into Santa D’Orazio, His images have soul. Norman Parkinson is another great influence.  

I would like it to be something else, but I think my style is bold and a little dark. I hear the term “artistic” thrown around a lot, but I am personally still trying to find that. My style is constantly developing. I am hoping I get a little cleaner, airier images, but I have a feeling that I will end up making them look like my typical stuff. I like to push myself. I think I see my style differently than what others see it. So I think that it might all be correct. So, My style: Dark and artistic with lots of personality bordering on humorous. Retro Contemporary (there is an opposite for you, but what is old is new, right?)

This one is not much of a horror story but it is kind of funny. I’m at a wedding in January, and I start seeing a dark line across my images on the screen. It looks like really bad sync problems with a flash, but I am not shooting flash.  When I am shooting vertical the problem goes away. It was just strange. I pick up my backup but this church is REALLY dark and I really need my better camera for the high iso. I start thinking about it and try shooting the camera upside down. Sure enough the problem goes away. My camera’s mirror was getting stuck. by turning the camera over, gravity was helping pull the mirror down and the images were fine.  The couple and guests just thought I was a little eccentric, which I probably am. So I shot the rest of the wedding with the camera upside down. I am trying to figure out how to tell them there album will have to be looked at in reverse in order for it to look correct. (That is a joke).

BF: Do you ever do any photography just for fun? If so, what are your favorite things to shoot?

Yes, I like to shoot buildings, the inside of bars during the daytime. It is interesting to see places that are only really seen by anyone when it is dark. There are some wonderful colors that you probably never pay attention to at your favorite pub or music cave.  I also love photographing women and models. I was drawn to fashion photography as an art form and that is what I love to photograph, every time I pick up the camera it is fun.

BF: Any predictions on the next big trend in the wedding photo industry?

I can’t say because I don’t want anyone to steal my idea. It involves video. And with that I can say, I think photographers will be shooting more video. I have been saying this for about 3 years now. It is kind of strange.

BF: What type of local publications or resources do you advertise in? What about international publications?

I advertise in only one local wedding magazine. They have been really good to me, although I do not think it really generates much business. As I pursue my commercial career, I am sure I will be looking at Black Book and publications like that.

BF: What are you working on next?

Commercial. I have been shooting a lot of music industry type of stuff but have never really gone after it. We shot Hootie and the Blowfish last year and it was exciting to work with a bigger named artist. I also do family portraits for some country artists like Little Big Town and they have mentioned me getting into more commercial stuff. So that is what is next, I am working on my new Big Folio site specifically aimed at recording artist and editorial fashion. There is a buzz in Nashville that I need to grab a hold of. Hopefully next year, I can report that I am having some success. I think one of the first things is finding a good agent that is willing to represent me. If there are any takers please give me a call… www.chuckarlund.com should be live in 2 weeks.