ROB – I’ve been shooting pictures since I was “knee high to a grasshopper.” After 20 years of scattered thoughts and cloudy dreams I knew the time was NOW. I saw what I wanted to do with my life but stumped on how to get there. I have been and always will be a science geek the natural and physical world absolutely intrigues me! I wanted to learn more and get all those random questions answered but reading and concentration were not the sharpest tools in my shed. Which was coined ADHD by those pill pushing doctors…personally I think it was because I ate skittles on a regular!
After barely graduating high school I gave a gallant effort trying to juggle a full load of college classes, a full time job and my personal life. Seeing as I never really learned the whole time management/organization/ studying thing life was no cake walk. I didn’t like where my life was going and knew I needed to go back to the drawing boards. Money was tight and college scholarships were out of the question!!! So I made the biggest decision of my life and I joined the Navy in 2000. I felt I needed to experience more out of life I sold most of my stuff, said my goodbyes and enlisted in the United States Navy. As a cocktail of excitement and fear filled my veins, I showed up to the Military Entrance Processing Station in Baltimore, Maryland. The clothes on my back, a small bag of essentials, my original drivers license and some paperwork created the only sense of familiarity and comfort in this foreign environment.
This started the next chapter of my life I cleared my head, organized my thoughts and goals and got started. Knowing what I wanted to do was half the battle, getting there was the hardest part. The good thing was my mind was a clean slate. I learned everything from scratch, most self taught. I knew I needed to teach myself how to learn. So I read how the brain and memory works in an old psychology book, always with a dictionary by my side. Then I became like Johnny 5 from Short Circuit I wanted to learn everything about everything!! I wasn’t a speed reader like Old Johnny Boy was, unfortunately.
With camera in tow, I had the opportunity to travel the world. Photography has become my creative outlet seeing as I can’t draw, paint or play any musical instruments (except Guitar Hero). Hong Kong, Singapore, Baharain, Japan, Australia, Korea, Mexico, Canada, Italy, Vietnam and more than half of the United States were subjects of my journeys. Education and life experiences were gained throughout my travels however the subjects visually captured were most rewarding.
Then it happened, the unexpected, someone told me, “You are so smart.” What!?!?! I have never heard that before. Also my sweet little grandmother (AKA 13th apostle) said, “you used to be such a dumb little kid!” This was a huge inspiration for me, so I decided to chase my childhood dream and become a professional photographer.
Since entering this crazy photography game; my business has grown to 80% word of mouth, I am shooting 30 weddings a year all over the mid-Atlantic region and beyond. Oh and my claim to fame was I was hired to photograph two private events in Jamaica with Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall!
DWF – How did you become a wedding photographer?
ROB – I was working for a local small town Newspaper and ran into a high school friend at a bar. After a long walk down memory lane and couple beers, he asked me to shoot his wedding for $500! Yatzy!!! I never liked shooting people, just nature and wildlife. I never expected to shoot weddings because my idea of a wedding photography was putting people is stiff, awkward and boring poses. After attending several weddings and seeing all the emotions, laughter and fun being put on hold so the photographer could force some cheesy posed pics. I thought to myself, the pictures should reflect the emotions and tell a story not boring “bowling pin” poses of every single person at the wedding! A wedding should be fun and natural. I believe that my job is to capture the moments, not create them.
DWF- Who or what inspires you as an artist?
ROB – The natural and physical sciences are an inspiration in being a wedding photographer. There are many processes and patterns in the world that fascinate me. The Earth is a living and breathing body. When shooting weddings I believe my role is to capture the natural flow of events for my couples with a minimal “foot print.”
DWF- If we needed a photographer today why would we book you? What makes you unique?
ROB – My clients want to be surrounded by happy and fun people. From first contact to delivering the final album I want to make my couples feel comfortable and create a very personal experience. Plus I’ve been known to rip up the dance floor now and again!
DWF- If you had to pick a favorite “Tool of the Trade” what would it be? and why?
ROB – Relationships – Creating and cultivating quality relationships with the community, the couples, their fam and friends and vendors is so important as a photographer. We are in the business of emotions and relationships. If you create a quality relationship with others there will be a natural transfer of emotions. Relationships and the transfer of emotions will promote a quality experience and you with exceed your clients’ expectations time and time again!
DWF – Care to share your favorite photographs?
ROB – …….
DWF – How about some final words to live by?
ROB – “Be true to yourself and you will never fall.” ~ Beastie Boys
Making my photography and business a natural extension of my personality has allowed me to create a brand that is hard to match. My couples can’t compare ME to any other photographers out there. This has been so important to building my business to 80% word of mouth!
Don’t “fake the funk” and try to be someone that you are not. Others will see right through you and see you as dishonest. Put yourself out there, unless you are just a straight weirdo!
Location – Southern Delaware (Lewes)
Business Name – Humbled Eyes Photography
Years in Business - 3
Website – www.humbledeyesphotography.com
Blog – blog.humbledeyesphotography.com
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