Welcome to the digital home for all things from Dalton Johnson.
All tagged Photography Career
Last October, I received a phone call from Andrew Muse to be the Director of Photography for the fourth season of Tiny Home Adventures. I’ll be honest, I had never watched an episode of the series, but my interest was peaked by the location, potential adventures, and the client list we would intertwine throughout the series. So, after we chatted on the phone, I watched a few episodes and gave him a call back, “I’m in, it looks like fun.”
Not too long ago, the incessant drone noise in the wilderness left me with a ringing in my ears and a distaste for the intrusive devices. However, I took an unexpected turn in my attitude towards drones when I decided to get one myself. I morphed from a critic into that person launching a drone into the air during my travels. Why? Because curiosity is a potent force when it comes to exploring new landscapes.
The allure of van life, with its freedom to roam and explore, has led many individuals to embrace a nomadic lifestyle. However, sustaining van life requires a source of income that accommodates the challenges of life on the road. In this article, we'll explore the various jobs that align with van life, focusing on work-life balance, the choice between fully remote and seasonal jobs, and a comprehensive list of practical employment options.
Surf photography is a thrilling and dynamic art form that allows you to capture the beauty and excitement of waves and surfers in action. Whether you're a beginner looking to dive into this exciting field or an enthusiast wanting to improve your skills, here are some essential tips to get you started and help you capture stunning surf shots.
Adventure photography combines the thrill of exploration with the artistry of capturing breathtaking moments in nature. If you have a passion for both photography and the great outdoors, becoming an adventure photographer can be a dream come true. This exciting career path allows you to document awe-inspiring landscapes, extreme sports, and the human spirit in its most adventurous form.
Are you ready to embark on a road trip filled with unforgettable moments? Whether you're a budding influencer or simply want to capture stunning photographs to cherish your journey, this article is here to guide you. Don't worry about fancy equipment—your trusty phone will do the trick.
These tips are designed to be simple and easy to implement, ensuring that you unlock your photography potential without any stress. As a professional adventure photographer, I firmly believe that simplicity is key, and these tips will help you break through any resistance and create stellar images that will transport you back to those precious memories.
Adventure photography is a challenging and rewarding career. It requires a combination of technical skills, creativity, and a love of the outdoors. But how do adventure photographers make money?
Taking photographs from the mountains, deep in the woods, dangling from ropes, under the ocean… the limitation to adventure photography is your mind and ability to access places. While adventure photography traditionally focused on authentic photojournalist ethics, the commercialization of the industry has changed the landscape of adventure photography. This broadening of the genre has helped build many sustainable photography careers for those who have adapted to the changing times and stories. But, what is adventure photography?
Our morning was the start to a perfect Alaskan day. The sun was out and a cool breeze from the Arctic Ocean kept the fog away as we commuted across Kachemak Bay. Stepping off The Far Side, a two story boat, onto Stillpoint Lodge’s dock in Halibut Cove, Alaska where we were greeted by the staff – they already knew our names – and escorted us to the main lodge. We enjoyed any drink of our choice and a charcuterie board as we learned about the float plane flights, glacial kayaking, and wildlife tours in store for us this week. A quick tour of the grounds, ending at our private cabin overlooking the cove. My girlfriend, Kristin, and I were out of place. A single night at the lodge cost more than I make in a month, yet we were here for a week and it wouldn’t cost us a dime. So, how is that possible?
There is nothing more annoying than a company low balling you to create content. At least that is what I originally thought! Companies are just trying to get as much as they can within their budget, there is nothing wrong with that. Heck, I always try to get as much money as possible for a job, so am I any different? Not really. So, what should we do to try to fix this budget confusion around creating content?
If you are a freelance content creator, or have aspirations on becoming a freelance content creator, this five part series will help you lay the foundation for making money. In episode two of this five part series, I cover ways to generate active income streams for freelance careers. To do this, I dive deep into what types of active income exist and what the end results will look like. All of these are focused on freelance jobs.
I have been wanting to expand my lifestyle work to expand beyond the outdoor action sports field, so, I took a little bit of time and came up with a concept to shoot a speculation project for Blundstone Boots. This project was a good challenge for me as I had never photographed a shoe before. I have captured socks, but never shoes.
While in Yosemite National Park climbing and sleeping in the boulders, a couple of things happened. First, I committed to my second seasonal job as an outdoor educator. Second, I met some famous climbers. Both of which pulled me in opposite directions.
Converting your content into a money making machine provides you freedom. As more money comes in, you can let go of other responsibilities and focus on your creative work that fills your cup. Additionally, getting paid for your work feels great, motivates you to continue, and provides a not-so-healthy validation that your work is good. So, how do you make money as a content creator?
Thank you Big Agnes for the opportunity to create with you all. I have enjoyed the process of learning your style and doing my best to contribute to you all!
The message is clear, distractions happen, learn how to handle them. In the end, I wrote the above as a stress relief exercise and to spew out an idea that I had been festering away in my brain for the last few days. In many ways, it was pestering me so much, I just wanted to get it down on paper so I could forget about it.
At the end of the day, my job as a commercial photographer is to sell a product. While photographing a campaign, a thought constantly repeats in the back of my mind and kinda goes like, “You are shooting a (insert product), that is the focus.” This mantra helps balance the struggle between creativity and capturing an image that will sell the product. Overall, the limitation in creating commercial photography is not an art director or creative freedom, the constraint is usually time and money.
