Interview by Cathy Chung
Congratulations, Bryan!! Your image was amazing. Let’s talk a bit about yourself and get to know you.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois and am currently living in Phoenix, AZ.
Now that you are living in Phoenix, what is your favorite place or subject to shoot there?
No matter where I’ve lived, my favorite subjects to shoot have always been birds. They are found just about everywhere, so I’ve ended up in a lot of places in pursuit of them. The light in Arizona is very harsh, so that makes bird photography even more of a challenge. I’ve decided to spend more time shooting landscapes here and take advantage of being so close to the iconic Saguaro cactus.
What kind of photography do you specialize in?
Bird photography. It’s addicting! Photographing birds artistically is a great challenge. There is no where I’d rather be than behind my big lens!
What do you hope to learn on the trip?
I am hoping to learn some tips on shooting landscapes. This is an area in which I’d really like to improve. And of course I’m excited to learn Aperture.
What gear are you bringing?
Canon 50D
600mm, f4
70-200
10-22
What is your “day” job?
I’ve been teaching environmental education the past nine years, but with my relocation to Phoenix this past year, I decided to take a break and try something totally different. I’m currently on the grounds crew for the Chicago Cubs at their spring training/winter facilities in Mesa, AZ. As a lifelong Cubs fan, I’ve been living the dream this spring.
What challenges do you think photographers face today?
I think that the market is so saturated with great images that it may be difficult to make a living as a photographer. Those who make it seem to have found their niche with creative business ideas and a lot of hard work. I also think more than ever it is important that we follow a code of ethics to maintain respect within our communities.
Lastly, Bryan do you have a website or blog that we can link to?
My website is www.bryanholliday.com You can follow the link from there to my blog as well.
Thank you for your time Bryan. We can’t wait to see your images from Yellowstone.
The Aperture Nature Photography Workshop kicks off event number three in Gardiner, MT on April 29. We’ll have more interviews as time draws nearer to the workshop.
