So You Want To Be…A Photographer: Conversations With DB Captures

Where did your love for photography first begin?

I kind of fell into photography by accident. I really began as a videographer when I was about 16. My older brother had a theatre company and needed someone to edit. Like everybody else when they don’t know something, I headed straight to google, found adobe and the rest is history. I began to explore videography further and from there my friend asked me to help him film a wedding. I wasn’t going to say no to a friend in need so of course I agreed to help. Whilst shooting we swapped between videoing and photography. This was the first time I realised how much I enjoyed photography.

I began volunteering and offering my services for free in a bid to develop my portfolio

In 2017 I shot my first international wedding and I’ve just been working to develop my craft since then.

What was your first camera and how long did you have it for?

It was a Canon 700 D – I loved that thing. I used to rent out cameras but that was the first one I called my own. I had it for about 4 years. It’s a great starting camera; easy to use and wonderful for beginners.

How would you describe your style of photography and how has this developed over time?

I love to play with light and shadows. But I would say that the biggest thing for me is that the picture has to tell a story. What I love about photography is that each individual can up with a completely different narrative whilst looking at the same picture.

This is one of the main reasons I love shooting couples. I usually have a conversation with them prior to shooting so I have a vivid picture of the story I want to tell throughout the shoot.

What are three things you know now that you wish you knew at the beginning of your journey?

How to use sigma lenses are. Seriously they are life changing. They’re without a doubt superior and will help new photographers capture more. Number two would be dealing with clients. I am getting really good at making my clients feel involved in the creative process. Finally discovering lightroom. It is miles better than photoshop, I was livid that I’d lived so long without it.

What is the biggest challenge you have had to overcome as a budding photographer?

Learning how to believe in myself. The photography industry is very competitive there are thousands of photographers. The greatest strength was figuring out what makes me different and running with it. Building my confidence and refusing to compare myself was imperative to my growth as a photographer.

What is the worst client experience you’ve ever had and what did you learn from it?

Oh gosh, I distinctly remember this day. It was a birthday booking – love them (!) . I was shooting on my camera which was running out of storage. The lighting in the venue was terrible and I remember thinking “this is not going to end well”. Needless to say it was a valuable lesson in client management.

What is the one thing about your journey that has surprised you?

The support. It continues to shock me every single day. What surprised me the most was that people not only liked my work and they supported it. It gave me confidence to continue and let’s me know my efforts are not being wasted. It’s very humbling.

Even when I announced I was working on Ella Mai’s tour, everyone was retweeting and congratulating me and that was an awesome feeling.

You have to create a photography starter pack with just 3 items, which will you pick and why?

Ooo 3 items! This is so difficult.

Okay well a camera is mandatory. So I would go for the canon 5D mark 3. That was my first pro camera. It’s the one I’ve shot the international weddings and Ella Mai with. It’s been through a lot. Umm…my 24mm 1.4 sigma lenses because they have helped me to take some of the best photos of my career. Finally I would include my Mac book because what else right?

Finally what projects are you working on that we should be looking out for?