Freelance photography brought many accomplishments for Auburn grad Taylor Hill. Hill, 27, has work published in a variety of media, from Rolling Stones to People Magazine.
"I stayed because I fell in love with capturing moments that tell stories or confront the viewer," Hill said. "I never knew that taking photos would be so important to me that it's now difficult for me to enjoy a concert when I don't have a camera."
There are many aspects to a freelance photographer, some good and some not so good. The red carpet experience is not what everyone may dream of, Hill said.
"This is the greatest illusion about the red carpet -- that it's a fun place to be," Hill said. "It's a dream, but it's extremely hard work. Every photographer is packed in tightly with their gear everywhere."
Hill said it becomes exhausting after holding the camera up for more than four hours at a time and photographers become territorial. Although photographers can get space-sensitive, they are on each other's side while being courteous to one another and making sure everyone can get the shot they want.
The red carpet can also
be a strenuous activity for celebrities as well.
"On the celebrity side of the red carpet, they have to wear a certain outfit and carry certain accessories and pose for everyone while flashbulbs are going off constantly," Hill said. "They have to keep posture and keep smiling in the midst of blinding flashbulbs and they're hustled around constantly."
Although the job becomes tiresome, Hill said, it is still a memorable experience.
"That said, inexplicably, it's still an exhilarating experience, but it's like driving in Manhattan," Hill said. "I've never done a red carpet where my back didn't hurt the next day."
Hill said the rewards of photography are unique to each photographer.
"It's nice to get published in Time and Rolling Stone, but the biggest honor I've ever gotten is having my work hung in someone's house," Hill said.
Every time Hill opens a magazine, it is potentially a new surprise.
"It's rewarding to be reading a magazine and see one of my pictures that I had no idea was there," Hill said. "That's happened to me a few times and it's always a treat. It's a lot harder to read magazines though because I'll just start trying to find my pictures in there."
The encounter with celebrities is no big deal for the seasoned Hill.
"I see them as people who work hard and are there to work and get photos taken and get exposure," Hill said. "I'm usually too busy working to get to chat. The experience is me holding up a giant camera and figuring out the right second to say 'look over here, please!'"
Hill said he believes in getting permission to take a photo before snapping private pictures, unlike paparazzi.
"I've run into celebrities in restaurants or on the street before, and I've asked them if I could take a picture," Hill said. "If they said yes, I did. If they said no or didn't want to, I wouldn't do it. Unless they are on a stage or on a red carpet, which means they are clearly OK with being photographed, then I'm not going to take their picture if they aren't OK with it."
Jeff Kravitz, president and founder of FilmMagic.com, hired Hill as a freelance photographer a year ago.
"Taylor is intuitive and he also knows how to treat people with respect, which probably comes from his Southern upbringing," Kravitz said. "He's also good at keeping his eye on the ball and staying focused."
Kravitz said Hill is easy to work with and reliable when it comes to getting photos.
"He thinks outside the box and likes to push the edge, which is important in any business that's creative," Kravitz said.
Chuck Hemard, a photography professor, expresses how challenging a career in freelance photography can be.
"Like many creative endeavors, earning a living off photography can be extremely competitive," Hemard said. "One would need to consider in which capacity they are willing to make images for clients if one hopes to sell work."
Hemard said it may come down to moving to a major city where established photographers work directly with publishers and clients.
"I think Taylor has a bright future ahead," Kravitz said. "I have received nothing but compliments from others that have worked with him."
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