I first started taking pictures when I discovered to my horror that a career in tennis just wasn’t going to happen. From day one I was hooked, and luckily my college started teaching photography at A level just when I needed it to. After getting my A level, I went off to university to get a degree in pure Digital Photography.
At first I was interested in becoming a fine art photographer, but with time I found that producing images for clients was far more rewarding. I went Pro as a commercial and sports photographer in February 2009 and have never looked back. Turning pro was a massive leap. At the time I was working at Jessops at the height of the crash. On my last day the staff said they looked forward to my return in 2 months, I’m glad I proved them wrong!
My big break came in July 2009 when I was hired by Airbus to produce marketing material for their A380 aircraft. After a sleepless, nervous and excited night it was the best weather of the year and everything went off perfectly, it was a massive, massive relief. Working alongside a video crew, I had access to the whole of Heathrow and it was amazing! Running down the taxiways dodging big jets was an experience I’ll never forget.
Being a professional photographer is lots of hard work, but I wouldn’t change a thing. The biggest challenge is always getting the shot, no matter what the circumstances. Conquering the conditions is all part of the job and one of the things I find most enjoyable; the feeling of nailing a shot when the odds are against you is fantastic!
Outside of work I photograph pretty much everything that crosses my path. I love photographing as wide a variety of things as possible, in as many different ways possible to keep developing as a photographer. I also shoot a lot of 35mm film and video outside of work just to keep trying new things and keep my eyes sharp. I also totally geek out and spend hours on Forums, Twitter and Flickr checking out amazing photographers from around the world and finding inspiration and working out how to improve my work.
I want to continue to build up my career and clients until I become on the leading commercial photographers in the UK, and hopefully my work will take me around the world. It’s a super competitive market and a big dream, but the work is very rewarding and will offer up some amazing challenges and opportunities.
The career is extraordinary, no two days are the same and I couldn’t be happier doing anything else. I know how lucky I am to have the job I do, and not a day goes by when I don’t appreciate it. It’s a complete dream, and one I have no plan on waking up from!
You seriously have some great pictures, especially one your webpage are some great pics (so everyone make sure to check out his page).
The picture of the airplanes makes me want to go to away in some foreign country, it looks kind of dreamy with it’s blue sky and with this breeze of black at the corners.
Greetings from Germany
Designers-Place
Fantastic break on the career front – being a pro photographer for the commercial sector certainly seems rewarding and shooting for Airbus must have been a complete blast.
I’ve just had a look at your website and your images – fab stuff indeed. Good luck to you in your quest to become the leading commercial photographer in the UK, your photography certainly is plenty good enough.
Congratulations an taking the leap Rich… and it paying off. It’s great that you have some high-profile clients, and are enjoying yourself at the same time. It’s always heartening to hear success stories: long may it continue for you.
I had a peek at your portfolio Rich! Very much like your airbus series (I think the nerd in all of us would love to be zipping around Heathrow with an inside track!) And the object studies are smashing as well. Especially love the eggs shot!
I run a small group of photographers and one of the questions I’m going to throw at them is “What’s your ambition/dream?” As you demonstrate, if we don’t start defining what that is, how can it be achieved?
Good stuff!
Rich, I love your story. Very inspiring to the rest of us! Fantastic website too; your travel shots are awesome. Thanks for sharing your experience and your gorgeous pictures!
Shawn
Excellent article there Rich. Really captured the reasons why photographers take photos! And what you say is so true – “Conquering the conditions is all part of the job and one of the things I find most enjoyable; the feeling of nailing a shot when the odds are against you is fantastic!”
Just checked our your portfoilo website – inspiring! Cutting edge and fresh. how hard was it to become pro and land your first commericial job? did you go through numerous interviews and what not and what do employers look for? would love to pick your brain about it!
Great work, absolutly love your architecture shots.
Hi guys! Thanks for the comments, really made me smile! I’m glad to know some people found it helpful or inspiring!
Paula, I’ve got a twitter account at http://twitter.com/richhrly, if you’ve got any questions feel free to ask me on there, I’m more than happy to answer any questions anyone has.
Time ago i saw some of your pictures. Then i liked your work. Now that i’m reading your history, i just can say: It was a great loss for tennis, but it is also the best news for the photography.
From Mexico, thanks Rich, for your pics.
Will do, thanks Rich. Have added you now.
What an inspiration story! Your shots are amazing. I’m sure moving to Pro was quite an experience, but it seems you made the right choice. Thanks for inspiring the rest of us 🙂
Very inspiring! And love the portfolio and blog!! Thank you for sharing your story with us!