[March 12, 2010]

Welcome to 10.Q series. This section features interviews to humanitarian photographers, their work and photography for non-profit organizations.
This week 10.Q features Gary S. Chapman.

1. Tell us about you and your photography. What kinds of shooting have you done? Have you worked for any humanitarian organizations/magazines etc.?

Could you name any current or former clients?

Back in 1978, newspapers were the quickest and best ways to learn the craft of photojournalism. Multiple daily assignments quickly taught us young photographers how to think and react quickly to what was happening around us. We learned of values and ethics through our older mentors. We refined technique in a medium where our photos were in the readers’ hands at breakfast one day and on the bottom of the bird cage the next. We learned to tell stories in one photo or many.

Having left staff photographer jobs behind in 1993, my wife Vivian and I began working together on conceptual stock photography (Getty Images now). This allowed us to work and travel together as a family while pursuing other projects. We continue to shoot both stock and humanitarian photography. (Vivian travels with me when possible.)  I have traveled to 60+ countries, shooting self-assigned projects, NGO assignments and freelancing for book projects and magazines such as the Day in the Life series, LIFE, Time, National Geographic Traveler, and GEO.

2.  We all know that you don’t get into humanitarian photography to become rich, so what does humanitarian photography mean to you? What’s your vision for it?

These are tough questions to answer…but ones that are important to consider if we all hope to continue doing this type of work when the going gets tough…and it will get tough. Low pay, sickness, danger, being away from family, spitting camels and four-inch cockroaches. At a photography conference this past weekend (www.swpjc.org), Garrett Hubbard, a video journalist at USA Today said, “Passion comes and goes like the tide. It is purpose that will drive your passion.” He went on to share how purpose drives passion which yields perseverance.

I am responding to your questions from the paradigm of a Christian worldview. Our purpose that drives our passion is 1-There is a God, 2-He loves us, 3-He wants us to love others. And what is true love?… that we lay down our lives for others.

3. How did you get into humanitarian photography? Where did you get the idea to shoot these kinds of people and groups?

A Christian missionary came to our church in 1987 and showed some really bad photography. Vivian went up to him afterward and told him his photos were lacking and he needed to get me to shoot for him. How’s that for marketing? What came of that bold move on Vivian’s part was a round-the-world trip each year for many years. Vivian basically educated him on his need for better visuals.

4. What are the challenges of shooting for NGO’s  or non-profit organizations?

I imagine every photographer you ask this question to will respond in some fashion that one of the biggest problems is, finding clients that are willing to pay for the photography. I have the suspicion that we are approaching this all wrong. In the comments section of your last interview with Matt Brandon , Jeremy had many insightful comments from the viewpoint of an NGO fundraising/marketing position. He said, “In short, most NGO’s need you as more than a photographer. They need a media producer/media consultant for hire. NGO’s need people to help us conceive and implement strategies and cross-promotional opportunities.” Now this guy gets it. What a joy it is to find a client that draws from me as a photographer and as a creative in general. Most humanitarian photographers are looking for groups whose vision they can whole-heartedly support. We already have built-in passion we can bring to the table to help the client. We are more than just picture suppliers.

5. How much do you travel every year? How do you manage your family time?

Last year I think I made 6 major, long haul trips…not enough to make a living…but enough to have caused family problems if I hadn’t been intentional about a few things. We that travel need to realize that family life can be horribly hurt if we are not careful. Do our family members feel they come first, before fame, fortune and travel…even before the hurting people whose story we are trying to tell? Sometimes we may try to justify our time away because there are so many destitute around the world that “need” us. It is imperative that we make sure our family knows we will be there for them if at all possible. When we are home, really be home. Let’s not let business, online social networking, etc. come before our real interactions with family and friends. If you have young children, take the time to read with them or go to their soccer games, even if you feel the pressure of unanswered emails or future marketing efforts sitting idle on your desk. If we are not “all there,” if we try to multi-task, they will resent it.

Life is really short and I want to be intentional about every moment. I don’t plan on being an old man hobbling down the aisle of a 747 one day, wishing I had spent more time with my wife, kids or friends and less time racking up frequent flyer miles or adding to my countries-visited check list.

6. Who’s been an inspiration for your photography? How do you stay inspired? Do you read blogs? If so, which ones would you recommend?

Blogs: I subscribe to so many blogs. Way too many. But I find them such a source of information and inspiration. Here is a link to some of my favorites.

7. How do you normally approach people from other cultures? What are your limits at the moment of shooting people in need, or in a complicated situation?

Smiles go a long way in any culture where you do not speak the language. But, for the most part, I am not a street shooter. I find shooting strangers a bit frightening and definitely unfulfilling. I much prefer to join a person or group in their daily activities. Get to know them. Share a meal with them. Ask questions. Discover “who” they are beyond just an exotic face wearing exotic clothes. When I get to know my subjects, fear disappears and the depth of my photos, the intimacy, increase exponentially.

Now to the second part of your questions: this is what I tell any student I work with when we are talking about when to shoot and not shoot. I don’t want them to ever tell me, 1) I missed the photo because I didn’t have my camera with me, 2) I missed the photo because I wasn’t paying attention, 3) I missed the photo because I didn’t learn how to use my camera well. They should only tell me, I missed the photo because I had a sense God was telling me to put my camera down. There are times to shoot and times to put the camera down. I never want my actions to cause harm to others. I rely on that inner voice of God directing me in that. I’m not wise enough to always know.

8. How do you promote your work?

I pay people like you big bucks to feature me in blogs like this…just kidding. Thanks for asking us to do this, by the way. It is indeed an honor and it is actually valuable to us, as Vivian and I try to focus in on the why’s and the how’s of this business model.

We employ various methods: website, blog, Twitter, direct mail of a small self-published book portfolio. (If you are a real NGO and would like a copy, please email me and I will send you a copy…now that was a bit of marketing right there!) But, as photographer Dave Black says, “Shoot OUTSTANDING photos and they will find you.” And, I will add this, when you find a client, treat them like you would like to be treated and you will keep them as a client. Clients that feel they are treated well will tell other clients. Let most of your praise come from others and not your own self-aggrandizement. In other words, don’t always toot your own horn. That is a turn-off to anyone.

9. Tell us about the last piece of gear that you deemed important enough to buy. How about the one that’s been most important in your career? (It can be a lens, camera, accessory, etc.)

Hmmm…I am more of an adherent to David duChemin’s , “Gear is good. Vision is better” philosophy, but I will take a stab at this. I have to agree with Matt Brandon . The Canon 5D Mark II body has opened up so many story-telling possibilities with its ability to capture stunning video. I am a newbie in the video editing skills arena. But the future of story-telling is like a rainbow in a vivid blue sky. The potential is captivating my time, money and creative flow.

If you want to download a copy of my equipment checklist, click on this link. I use this list before every trip to make sure I have thought of every possible scenario.

Plus, read these two books on the business of photography. If we want to make a living through humanitarian photography, we need to make it sustainable.

David duChemin’s Vision Mongers: Making a Life and Living in Photography

John Harrington’s Best Business Practices for Photographers, Second Edition

10. What would be your advice for a photographer who is just starting out in this field?

As creatives, we tend to fall into the trap of comparing our work to others. Here is a hint for long-term survival in this field: Do not compare yourselves to others. Comparing yourself to others is a sure route to depression and paralysis. If you fall into the comparison trap, you will become so fearful that it will block your imagination. You will freeze up and produce nothing of value. You will be paralyzed and unable to flow in any kind of creativity. Sounds pretty harsh, but I have been there. I know from whence I speak!

Also, like I said before, treat everyone in this industry…oh…let’s go even further…treat everyone you have the privilege of sharing space with on this earth as you would like to be treated and you will definitely have an impact.

One more thing, never lose site of your purpose. Write it down. Live by it. My purpose can be summed up in this Proverb: Defend the poor and the fatherless. Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Free them from the hand of the wicked. May all of us in this field desire to do just that and learn from each other how to do this better. Thank you, Heber, for this forum where we can talk about how to do it better. Muchisimas gracias… bien hecho.