Today we’d like to introduce you to David C. Olson. They and their team shared their story with us below:
David C. Olson, David C. Olson Photography Professional Photographer, Minnesota USA. For me, photography is more than just taking a picture. It is about composition, light, and color all coming together at the same time to capture a moment that will never happen again. Holding degrees in photography from the Colorado Institute Of Art in Denver, and studies in environmental biology and animal behavior allow, me to capture these breathtaking visual images of nature for all to enjoy.
I find that wildlife photography is a perfect marriage of his fascination with the natural world and his love of arts. He sees his imagery as playing a vital role in sharing both the beauty and the plight of our wild places. His photographic journeys take him to remote and wild areas to witness animal behavior and capture stunning nature photographs.
Olson continues his exploration of our vanishing wilderness with his camera, and his images can be seen in National Geographic, National Wildlife, Alaska, Audubon, and many other publications worldwide. Over the past 5 years, I now lead photography tours around Minnesota and the United States, and Canada. Taking other photographers to my favorite locations, so I can share them with others to enjoy and learn my techniques. I started taking pictures in middle school and haven’t put the camera down since.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The discipline of photography as a career is extremely competitive today. So, it takes a wide range of skills to support oneself on a full-time basis. I have almost 25 years of experience as a professional photographer, and that is all I do. My gallery and studio are both sizable. We photograph people, products, and locations for businesses and adventure firms across the United States in our studio.
We can produce imagery both indoors and outside thanks to my training in studio lighting and design. Adrienne, my wife, is an expert graphic designer, photographer, and master of Photoshop. We are therefore a perfect fit to flourish in the industry. I perform behind the camera for around 25% of each work week; the rest is spent on computer work, billing, paperwork, client communication, and business administration. The not-so-exciting reality of being a photographer.
Being a photographer requires a significant time commitment; weekends, evenings, and long hours are all common in this line of employment. If this is the path you take, you will have to give up a lot of what makes life normal. We go to remote spots to capture nature in innovative ways and get amazing images on my wildlife tours and teaching courses. Dreadful weather, insects sleeping outside, dangerous predators, and a lot of hiking is necessary, but when you return with memories that will last a lifetime, it is all worthwhile.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
The camera, in my opinion, is a fantastic invention. Professional photographers possess superhuman abilities that allow them to freeze time in an image that will never occur again. With so many photographers out there, we must set ourselves apart with originality and fresh perspectives.
Compassion, artistic vision, and patience are required whether I’m photographing a newborn baby in our studio or a grizzly bear in the outdoors. When a business hires me to work for them, they know I’m dedicated and will make an effort to produce photographs that are bold and compelling and represent their brand and products to the globe.
To individuals who are considering a career in this industry. Plan ahead, put in a lot of effort, be adaptable, and be prepared to succeed and fail. My biggest hope is that my images of nature evoke a feeling in my viewers to love and save our planet and its inhabitants. Because when we save the land and creatures we are ultimately saving ourselves.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I was lucky to have parents who instilled in me a respect for and knowledge of the natural world. Every year, we took a trip to the northern Minnesota boundary waters where we camped, went fishing, and learned about the habits of the local fish, birds, and animals. I then started going around with my camera. Throughout the first fifteen years of my work, using film was the norm. You shot it correctly in the camera, so Photoshop couldn’t save the day.
I am a better photographer today because I don’t always rely on computers to make my pictures speak. I also was the kid that saved every injured animal and brought it home to rehab it. I knew at a young age I would spend my career chasing animals around to document them and try to save them and the habitats they live in for future generations.
Contact Info:
- Website: davidolsonphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidc.olsonphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidcolsonphotography/
Image Credits
Adrienne Olson
