Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Adams.
Ben, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
From a young age, I wanted to be a photographer. I started with pictures from family trips, shooting sports for the high school yearbook, and the summer camp where I worked. From there, during my first year at the University of Alabama, I worked directly with the university’s Athletic Department as a student photographer covering football, basketball, and most other University athletic events. It was an unreal experience to have all-access to those games, and I was lucky enough to have the support of an incredible mentor. He really showed me how to navigate many dynamic shooting environments under the pressure of quick turnaround times.
After graduating, I stepped into corporate America as a graphic designer. Still, I remained active as a photographer by writing concert reviews and supplying images for an online publication. However, my graphic design career was short-lived and lasted about three and a half years. Cut short because of a company-wide layoff, which was one of the biggest blessings in disguise. This forced me to face the uneasy decision of whether or not I would take a leap of faith and work for myself. So, I took my misfortune as an opportunity, trusted myself, and for the past four years, I have been “living the dream,” self-employed, focused, and determined to pursue what I love.
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?
After I ventured out on my own, it didn’t take long to understand just what people meant by “feast or famine” when talking about contractors, so that adjustment took some getting used to.
A few months ago, I experienced and quickly pulled myself out of my first encounter with creative burnout. This was something I was flat-out not prepared for. I love photography so much that, for whatever reason, I thought burnout couldn’t happen to me. I was nervous about what this could mean and almost embarrassed to confront the feelings when I realized what was happening. I felt isolated without inspiration as I worked around talented creatives. It wasn’t until I talked with close friends and coworkers that I realized others around me had experienced or were currently experiencing the same thing. I wasn’t alone. It was comforting to know others knew what I was going through, but it was even more critical for me to learn how to pull myself out.
The path of the self-employed doesn’t come without its potholes and unexpected turns, but each additional year helps me forecast the ebbs and flows of the industry more accurately. By actively identifying these cycles, I stay confident in my process, enabling me to put my best work forward.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Two avenues of photography make up most of my work: live events like music festivals, concerts, and sporting events; and unit stills photography—shooting alongside a television/film crew, capturing still frames and behind-the-scenes images of the cast and crew. Both disciplines complement each other very nicely and require similar skill sets.
From process to product, my offering has become very consistent, which enables me to create quality work quickly and deliberately. I operate with a great sense of professionalism—tenacious in my approach and resilient in my pursuit. My attention to detail allows me to capture and edit images in real-time, quickly creating catalogs of high-quality images for all my clients.
What does success mean to you?
I have defined success differently throughout my career: clients being happy, nailing an exposure, being proud of my work, being booked and busy, expanding into new industries, or trusting myself and gaining confidence.
Today, I feel most successful when my desire to pursue photography is in harmony with home life. Determining an appropriate work/life balance is a tricky dance at times, and it changes tempo throughout the year. I’ve noticed by compartmentalizing my time, I can stay in the present moment, focused, whether I’m with family or on the job. With longevity in mind, I realize this is just the beginning, and industry success cannot come at the expense of my family or my mental health.
Contact Info:
- Website: BenAdamsCreates.com
- Instagram: @BenAdams.Creates
Image Credits
Ben Adams, Alive Coverage
