Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Albright.
Eric, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I graduated from Appalachian State University in 1986 and immediately picked up a job at WFMY-TV in Greensboro, NC. After working there for three years I moved to Atlanta and began to work as a freelance Camera Operator and eventually began picking up work as a television Director of Photography. In the mid-90’s, I also became interested in still photography. I started doing some wedding and portraits but really only cared about nature photography. So, I have been working in Atlanta now for over 35 years as a freelance Video and Still Photographer.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a freelancer, you’re really only as good as your last shoot. So I would saying finding and keeping clients was the biggest struggle I had over the years. But I have been fortunate. Except for a few short periods of slower work because of the economy or various other reasons, fortunately I have been able to have a good steady career. I consider myself fortunate( I guess that’s why I keep saying the word fortunate). As for my still photography it has been a slow and somewhat methodical process. For years I really only did for me, but then when I started working on my photography book I took it a bit more serious. Since the publishing of the book, I have been working my way back to find a little bit of the lost love from when I took it more serious.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In short, I am a television and still photographer.. For the last several decades I have worked with almost all broadcast networks and many Fortune 500 companies. But this can be said by many in my business in Atlanta. If I had to pick something that may set me apart from some, but not all, it would be my lighting skills. This helped to make me be more than just a cameraman, but gave the me the chances to work as a Director of Photography, or DP. Afterall, the literal definition of photography comes from two Greek words meaning to write with light (phos meaning light and graphein meaning to draw or write). This understanding of light should of course help me with both television and still photography. As far as what I am proud of, I’ve had many moments over the years that I am proud of. Sometimes it may just be a simple lighting setup of an individual interview. But as far as television work goes, it would have to be the years that I worked with HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. Working for that show was probably some of my best times in the television business. We told stories, but not quick three minute stories. We had the time to tell deep stories with meaning and sometimes it actually made a difference in people’s lives. One year in particular will always be special to me. That year, in the category of Best Sports Journalism there were five nominations and four stories that I was the DP on were nominated and the winner was fortunately one of mine also. One of those stories, the one that won, helped to get a high school kid who was unfairly convicted and sentenced to ten years in jail out of jail So that could be called a win. I’ll never forget the hug I got from him the day after his release when he said that thanks to us he was now free. We weren’t the only ones that helped get him out, but it felt good to hear him say that. Kind of unforgettable. He has since gone on to have a very successful career and life. On a bit more of selfish twist, the most proud moment of my still photography career was publishing my first book a few years back and then being sent a photograph of an inspiration of mine in the photography world with his own copy of that book. Oh yeah, the name of the book is Capturing Moments and these days can only be found on my website.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I would say that the characteristic that may set me apart is my “eye.” I know that may sound cliche and all. but in reality, to a photographer that’s who we are. It’s our ability to see things a little different that most. I have jokingly said to others in the past that it’s kind of a curse. Everywhere I look, everything I see, I frame it up as if I’m looking through the viewfinder of a camera of some sort. I look at things in thirds, which is how a good composition works. So I do believe that an “eye” is a real thing. But it’s up to others to decide if it’s a good eye or not so good. But in my defense I’ve been doing this for a few decades now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ericalbrightphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericalbrightphotographer
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ericalbrightphotography
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ericalbright8427
Image Credits
I own the rights to all of the submitted images.
