Interview by Janet Scarborough
with Rex Rystedt, Commercial Photographer for BusinessWeek, Fortune,
Forbes, Newsweek, Time, Esquire, Vanity Fair, Reader's Digest
What do you do?
Shooting
pictures and producing good-looking film is the major part of my job. Running
my photography business is another part.
What is a typical work
day like for you?
70% of the time I am taking or developing
pictures. 30% of the time I am doing administrative stuff,
although I have an accountant who helps.
How did you get your
job?
I've been doing this since high school, which
was 20 years ago.
What do you like best
about your job?
I like to use my talent on a day-to-day
basis. It is great to have an artistic sensibility AND earn
a living at the same time. I think it is easier for photographers
than for some other people, like musicians for instance. I
meet interesting people and every day is a field trip.
What is most challenging
about your job?
It is challenging to produce work that
you can feel proud of on a daily basis. It is also difficult
sometimes to deal with clients and to do the public relations part
of my job. Also, as an amateur photographer, you don't have
to work under extreme pressure, whereas as a professional, there
is the constant need to do so and people are looking over your
shoulder. In the beginning, this was awkward. Over
time, though, it became exhilarating. I now welcome the challenge
and view it like a sporting event. While photography isn't
all fun, it is very fun and I can't think of anything better.
When did you know you
wanted to do this?
As a senior in high school, I took
a cinematography class. I loved it and I thought I wanted
to do that as a career. But I was too shy to work with huge
groups of people. As a photographer, I felt more control,
so I decided to do that instead.
How did you build your
own business?
I'm the worst person in the world to
be asked that. I've done no advertising, no self-promotion,
and I have lousy business skills and little salesmanship. I
read a book that said I would be doomed without these skills, but
I tried anyway. Photography is my passion. My work
produced more work, and I was lucky. I met some talented
art directors who encouraged me. They said, "If your
work is perfect, it would be lifeless." My bylines became
my advertising. The first photo I had published was for "The
Rocket," a free music magazine in Seattle. They paid
me, and I was so thrilled.
What things should
people know who are considering this career?
Give it
your best shot. Don't focus on the roadblocks that might
stand in your way. In America, people are fortunate because
they can pursue what they love. Attempting to attain your
dream and failing is still success.
What skills are necessary
to succeed as a photographer?
A good eye and love for
the work.
What is the income
potential in your field?
Income ranges from starving
artist level to millions of dollars per year.
What are your long-term
career goals?
To keep doing what I am doing. Technology
is changing everything as digital photography introduces new things
to learn. Self-education is essential to keep up. It
is fun, but you can't stand still.
Other
You
can reach Rex at
seattlephoto@hotmail.com
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