Today we’d like to introduce you to Erik Hogan.
Hi Erik, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in Stone Mountain. My parents instilled in me a passion for the outdoors and for travel, giving me the opportunity to camp across the United States and Alaska, and Western Canada and to travel throughout Europe in my youth.
My artistic inclination goes back to childhood, as well. I’ve been drawing and sketching for as long as I can remember. In high school I took art classes and a film photography class before digital photography existed. However, artistic pursuits were never my primary focus.
I went to The University of Georgia in the late 1990’s, earning a bachelor’s degree in English with the idea of becoming a writer. However, September 11, 2001 changed my direction entirely. I worked as a paramedic for Grady EMS in Atlanta for several years and then transitioned to a career in law enforcement. I still work as a cop today, with lots of experience on the road, as a tactical medic, as a SWAT team leader, and even a stint as a detective.
While recovering from a significant on-duty knee injury in 2019 I discovered the world of digital photography. After healing, I combined this renewed interest in photography with my enduring love of backpacking and wilderness exploration. My goal became sharing awe inspiring images that convey the profound impact these locations and experiences had on me.
I now have a blog called Field Notes in which I write about my backpacking and photography adventures, in addition to presenting the photos I make.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road is far from smooth. It is a rugged and overgrown path with frequent dead ends, steep ascents, and pitfalls. I often feel as if I’m blazing an untrodden path through a wilderness.
When I became interested in digital photography while recovering from my knee injury it was with the idea of earning a side income unrelated to law enforcement. It was the allure of a self funded, even profitable passion project. I saw plenty of articles on line telling me how to easily create a side hustle by selling my photography on line. I didn’t know at the time that this was outdated or misguided information at best. Modern cell phones and social media have all but destroyed any possible market for landscape photography.
My landscape and nature photos didn’t sell. At all. My reasoning was that they weren’t good enough. So, I invested a lot of time and attention into improving my skills. After several years of study my photography has improved quite a bit. However, I still haven’t sold more than a couple of prints. It’s too late for me, though. My passion for the art is now well seated within me and I still pursue it, regardless of any financial rewards.
I started my blog Field Notes on Substack with the idea of writing about my photos to give them more context and meaning. Writing weekly essays had the unforseen effect of profoundly influencing my philosophy on life and the way I view and interact with the world. Again, it has earned me very little in terms of money, but the insight I’ve gained into my own life has been extensive.
So maybe I never wanted a smooth road after all. The path is the goal, right? There is beauty that can only be found in the struggle and who knows, maybe one day I’ll unexpectedly arrive at a destination with a view!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As I wrote earlier, I work as a police officer. But, no one really wants to hear about that. What I pursue with passion is landscape photography and writing.
While vast, sweeping landscapes of the receding Appalachian Mountains are my favorite scenes to photograph, I also shoot waterfalls, general nature shots, and when the opportunity presents, wildlife. I would photograph anywhere in the world if I could, but I am in love with the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
I set myself apart from most other photographers in that much of my photography is taken on remote backpacking trips not accessible to the majority of people. These locations involve grueling treks to reach. They are uncomfortable. Danger is very real in the form of weather, animals, or injury. I train for this and truly enjoy the effort. By going to these extremes I have reached some truly remarkable places and had unparalleled experiences in the wild. The photos that result are the ones I am most proud of and my goal is to capture that sublime experience of nature for the viewer.
Within my blog I have embraced personal essays of my journeys and descriptive nature writing, intersected with my interest in Stoic philosophy. I believe the backpacking, photography, and philosophy are synergistic pursuits that allow me to deliver insight into nature and life in a unique way.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I am an avid reader of books. The older, the better. I describe myself as an aspiring Stoic, and therefore my best recommendations are the three major sources of Stoic thought that are still in existence. Epictetus’s Discourses is by far my favorite and the recent translation by Robin Waterfield contains a treasure trove of footnotes that give it context and explanation. Seneca’s letters and Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations also offer some profound insight. But, for someone new to the philosophy, I would actually recommend Stoic Ethics by Christopher Gill and Brittany Polat.
Aside from Stoicism, I have also been deeply influenced by the Incerto book series by Nassim Taleb. And I am a big fan of Mary Oliver’s poetry, Hemingway, Jack Karouak, and so many more that it is impossible to list them all.
Get off of social media! Reading books and other long form writing is a superpower!
Pricing:
- I present my creative work on line for free. Anyone can view my photos or subscribe to my blog. If you like what I do and want to support my work, you can become a paid supporter of my blog Field Notes for $5/month or give one-time contributions of any amount.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://erikhoganphotography.com/
- Instagram: erikhoganphotography
- Youtube: @erikhogan
- Other: https://erikhogan.substack.com/
