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Photographer Career Interview
Jeff Dahlgren is the owner of Jeff Dahlgren Photography in Chicago, Illinois. He has worked in the business for 15 years and is still very passionate about the field.
Photographer Career Path
“My interest in photography dates back to my childhood where I picked up a camera at a very early age,” Jeff explains. “My father traveled with the military and spent a lot of time himself behind a camera. He was my inspiration.”
He continues, “In high school, I started learning how to process my own film and print black & white photographs, which only further pushed my desire to make pictures. It’s funny looking back on it now because even though the passion was there, I still felt unsure it would be a wise career path.”
“I actually enrolled at SIU as a business major. It was only a matter of time; after being bored senseless in a math course, my path switched back to the arts. The rest is history, I found my true calling.”
Experiences of a Photographer
Jeff earned his Bachelor of Arts in photography from Southern Illinois University.
“I headed to Chicago for experience in the field,” he says. “I started working freelance for a variety of professional photographers as an assistant until I felt my knowledge and skills in the industry were enough to transition into a photographer myself.”
He adds, “It has been roughly 15 years since I started shooting on assignments.”
Degree Programs for Photography
“Education is important on many levels,” Jeff explains. “It’s a good thing to be torn away from your parents’ nest and thrown into a world of strangers all looking for find their voice. Finding an institution that has a good group of knowledgeable professors who have experience in the field and a curriculum that covers a broad range of classes specifically in the arts and photography will get you headed in the right direction.”
He adds, “More than anything, you will need a portfolio!”
Photographer Job Description
Jeff is the head of Jeff Dahlgren Photography based in Chicago, Illinois.
“I have built a good group of clients ranging from advertising and commercial to catalogue and editorial work,” he explains.
Jeff’s photography covers a variety of subjects, such as international travel and advertisements. His clients include McDonald’s and General Mills.
This isn’t where his experience ends, though, as with most people in the field. Photographers can pursue many lines of work, such as portraiture, editorial, and event photography.
Photographer Daily Routine
“When you run your own photography business, there is a wide range of hats one needs to wear,” says Jeff. “To me, the actual shooting part seems to be rather small compared to all the necessary day-to-day activities.”
He continues, “I’ll give you a list of typical duties: testing, lighting, scouting, meetings, castings, interviewing, production (pre- and post-), retouching, billing, accounting, marketing and of course photography.”
Photography: Steps to Success
Photography doesn’t just come down to pressing buttons on a camera.
“You need vision, passion, dedication and persistence,” says Jeff.
Photographer Job Market
As photography is a career in the arts, many people pursue their passion in the market.
“Competition is everywhere,” Jeff explains, “although in this day and age, what field doesn’t have its set of obstacles.”
If you are willing to move to find jobs and start low on the ladder, you have a better chance in finding a career.
Favorite Part About a Photography Career
“It truly is a rewarding job considering all the interesting projects I’ve worked on, incredible people I’ve met and amazing locations,” says Jeff. “I’m a creative person and couldn’t be happier doing what I love.”
He adds, “Also, planning my own schedule is up there pretty high.”
A Photographer’s Future Ambitions
“I am very hopeful for the future in photography,” Jeff explains. “When I started in this business, it was all film-based, and now it’s gone the direction of digital imagery in a very short time period.”
“It’s an exciting time to be a photographer because technology is just jumping ahead by leaps and bounds. Fine quality digital cameras (even at the consumer level) have brought an influx of amateur photography to the market competing directly with the professional shooters. Sounds scary, but more competition just breeds better imagery.”
Jeff adds, “The need for photos seems to be multiplying tenfold with all the digital mediums out there. There will always be a need for good photographers!”
Advice for Prospective Photographers
You should really only pursue this field if you are extremely passionate in photography and are willing to put in the time and effort to make a name for yourself.
“Just make sure to work for individuals that are specific to the kind of work you enjoy and want to work in, such as lifestyle, cars, food, location and people,” Jeff advises.
“Photography is a strange marriage between creativity and technology. Find your artistic voice and learn everything you can about the tools needed to achieve those pictures. Keep on shooting and don’t forget to edit.”
