Today we’d like to introduce you to E J Carr.
E J, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started in photography by mistake, sort of. I was an Art Student in Pittsburgh Pa and getting close to graduation. I had a few electives that were required for graduation and one of them was Photography. Some background with an Uncle that was an amateur had turned me off to the idea. Photography to me was Weddings. That wasn’t on the horizon for me, in my mind. So, I had to give in and take the elective. That changed my life in that, I had talent and everyone saw it. For the first time in my life I had strokes for something I was good at. That step led to an apprentice position with the biggest photographer in the city, learning the backroom things about studios and catalogue and fashion shoots. From there I spent four years in the US Navy as a crewman on Navy aircraft in the South Pacific. I went back to school after service, Penn State University and transferred to Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, Ca. That led to my first position as a photographer in a big studio in Dallas TX for a few years and then to NYC to begin the career that I still have today.
I’ve had various studio locations in NY From early 80’s till 2007 when I Moved to Ireland with my family for a short sabbatical. That short break turned into three years in the West of Ireland in a small village. I worked from there, in a much more casual way until we moved back to the US and that’s when I came to Denver. I’ve been in Denver since mid 2010 and am working and creating here.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Smooth isn’t a word I would use to blanket describe my career and experience.
There have been challenges all along the way. Advertising/Fashion/editorial photography in a major market is a challenge as it is. Hi powered, competition, building business, servicing clients, and creating new work to remain relevant. It goes on and on. Added to all of that, personal life goes on as well, i.e.: families, children and then ones own self confidence is always in the spotlight. Am I good enough, can I do this?
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I’ve worked in Fashion, Advertising and Editorial areas my whole career. It’s always been Business to business i.e.: Ad Agencies, Record companies, magazines, TV and Film personalities, and artists. Now that I’m in a smaller market, I’ve taken on assignments that are business to consumer in nature. In addition to that, I’m working on personal work more and now teaching a college level class on Fashion and Glamour photography.
My portrait work has always set me apart, I believe. I found a way to bring the fashion aspect too much of my portrait work so I’d say that is something that is mine. Being set apart from others? That is harder and harder these days as everyone with social media and a camera can make a “blast ‘ into the visual world. What no body can do is bring the personal aspect of me into their work. How I communicate, relate to my subject is mine alone.
What were you like growing up?
I was a loner growing up, not by choice, but it was my experience. I’m of Italian/eastern European lineage growing up in a small community of mostly children of Irish/Scottish, German heritage. That somehow set me apart and I didn’t have the confidence to wave my own flag and feel strong behind it as a young person. It took some time for me to get the worldly experience to see my value and my own gifts that I bring to the table. I’ve always been creative and that was what I had that felt as my own, even as a young guy. I didn’t believe I had athletic ability growing up and that also developed and I saw that I had always had it. I’ve been into the outdoors and sports, and art and music my whole life. I really love adventure.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ejcphoto.com
- Phone: 720 232 1820
- Email: ej@ejcphoto.com
- Instagram: @ejcarr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ejcphoto/
- Other: https://www.behance.net/ejcphoto
Image Credit:
Main photo: David Langlois
@ejcarr/ejcphoto.com
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