Christian Turner, Campus Carrier Photojournalism Editor

I got the chance to photograph the bands Local Natives and Walk The Moon this past week. This is not to draw attention to me. I want to establish some credibility so I can hopefully encourage you guys to pursue whatever creative passions you guys have. I really love concert photography, and I’ve somehow amassed quite a few bigger names in my portfolio. It was not an easy process, starting off, that is. Getting a photo pass to a show requires that you work for some publication, have previously shots shows, or that you somehow know the band. However, how do you give the management a portfolio of your work because you’ve never shot shows because you can’t get a pass because you’ve never shot?
Getting started was really hard for me because of this vicious cycle. However I waited patiently, and I took any shoots I could do. It’s funny how the little shoots lead to the bigger ones. I know everyone says that, but it’s hard for younger photographers to believe what the pros are saying cause they’re established, and have been for a while. It’s easy for people who’ve made it throw out advice like “follow your dreams!” or “never give up!” However, that is completely useless to someone starting off. They need some advice that will push them on. So I got some for you: Create work. Put it out. 
Seriously. What I’m figuring out with photography is that this is not going to be easy at all. I question it, and then I question it more. I think, “It’s not too late to just back out all together and pick up something else.” And I really don’t want to be cheesy, but I don’t think I can. I can’t remember what I used to do or think about before photography. One of my favorite photographers, Ryan Brenizer, spoke about how photographers see the world differently. He also said that he or she can see a picture anytime they walk into a room, in almost any scenario. Our eyes work differently and we learn to see the world differently, more fully. Light becomes invigorating and composition and angles manifest themselves all the time. Seriously, it’s kind of weird.
Now let’s get back to the topic we started on: Create work. Put it out. That’s it. Granted, there’s an infinite amount of work that goes along with that. I started off shooting anything and everything. When I bought my first camera I realized I had no idea how to shoot portraits. I had been shooting for the Campus Carrier for the past couple years, and I had only learned how to shoot photo-journalistically. Now, if you were to put a person in front of me who is staring and asking me “What do I do? How do I pose? What do I do with my hands?” I stand there terrified. It terrified me, but I was determined to learn how to shoot portraits. So what did I do? I went out for two weeks straight, and I did a different portrait session every day. How else was I going to learn? I just dove right in to it.
I put out work that I’m now not proud of. It is work I won’t go back to and there are editing styles I won’t revert to. However, I put something out and people saw it. A friend of mine who had a small blog about music asked me if I’d like to shoot a show with him sometime. He saw some stupid photo I took of some stupid pose I made a friend do at some stupid location. But he saw it and liked it and gave me an opportunity, and I dove right in. With one show under the belt, I assumed everything else would just fall into place. That was not the case. I didn’t shoot another show for a long time, and I hated that because it’s probably one of the most exciting experiences I have had. I’m passionate about music and photography, so mixing the two is good for me. In result, I went back to shooting mediocre portrait sessions. I let people know that I shoot. I couldn’t expect people to assume I wanted an opportunity to shoot something big if they don’t see me shooting anything at all. I know this sounds mundane, but it’s so true. It’s what has continued to push me forward everyday, and it’s what I don’t see enough aspiring photographers doing. Then, I got another offer.
The offer was to shoot a couple more shows. Future of Forestry did a free show at my church and I jumped on that opportunity. Phillip Phillips did a show here at Berry, but no one was allowed with cameras at the show. However, I knew the person in charge of communication with his manager, and they knew I shot. They’d seen my stuff and I got the hook-up to shoot him. It was nuts. So now anytime I want to shoot anyone I can preface it with saying that I have Phillip Phillips in my portfolio. The jump up to grab that rung of the ladder that was far and difficult to reach. I fell a couple times trying to grab it. So I waited, and shot other things. Then, I jumped when I knew I’d reach it that time, and the crazy thing is I did. But if I had just waited around and done nothing, wishing to shoot great bands, I’d still be sitting at my computer, wishing and waiting, like Jack Johnson.
I want to see people create beautiful art; I want to create beautiful art.  But so far the journey seems incredibly daunting. I feel lost in the forest that lies on the outskirts next to the mountain, but I can see the light ahead, and I’m running. It feels like I’m limping sometimes, but at least I’m moving forward. 
So please create work and put it out there. Also, be honest to yourself. Don’t try to “fake it until you make it.” Be honest about where you are, even if it’s lost in the forest because hey, I’m there too. Let’s encourage one another towards excellence. I believe that we were created to create, and that’s exactly what I intend on doing.