Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Rathbun.
Anthony, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My family always had a camera around. After I got some years on me, my stepdad walked me through how to use his 35mm Minolta.
Around 19, I tried working for a commercial portrait studio. I was in way over my head and that lasted only about three months.
I bought my first 35mm film camera in my early 20s for an unexpected trip to California with a friend. Once back from the trip, I found that I was wanting to use my camera daily.
At the time, I was living near the heart of Montrose. This put me in a nexus of creativity and unexpected opportunities.
I was at an art gallery to install mirrors on a Friday. I locked my keys in my car. This accident lead to me hanging around and meeting a professional artist and head of an art group Named Wayne Gilbert. He was setting up for a show the next night.
Somehow it came up I had a camera. At Wayne’s invitation, I returned to photograph the art event. Later, through his setting up a meeting between myself, a magazine called 002 Houston, with my images from the show, I became published for my first time. I was also given my first paid assignment.
Education-wise, I took a semester and a half at HCC for photography. With my own needs expanding and the pending digital revolution, the classes became outdated quickly. I began assisting professional photographers, apprenticing if you will, people with more seniority in the business. I learned in very practical and at times unconventional ways. Assisting provided and real-world experience to learn from. As a bonus, I was being paid to learn rather than going into student debt.
Almost 22 years later, I still have a professional and friendly relationship with my first client ever. I’ve expanded my talents, increased my clients, built some fabulous client relationships, and it has all been interesting the whole time.
I’m grateful to every person who has helped me on my way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I first started, I had to use the public library to check emails, check college information, receive/send files, or really anything internet related. I was using a local business or friend’s computer to do some of my first digital editing.
I spent a lot of time at bookstores reading up on photography and moreover, lighting.
I’m a huge believer in the “Two is one and one is none” philosophy. I want a backup for everything.
Being self-employed in a creative field without a fixed income is hard. I’ve had to make sure I stay healthy ‘upstairs’ to give myself, my business, and my life the best I can. Mental and physical health are both super important. A lot of photographers and artists have been lost or washed out due to self-esteem issues and addiction.
The better I personally am, the better everything I do can be.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I’ve been in business nearly 22 years. I use two handheld cameras, a variety of lenses, and a drone to accomplish ground-based as well as aerial photography.
Photography for me is a complete process that begins before I start an assignment and lasts until I know my work has served its fullest purpose. This means, at least in part, doing things correctly the first time.
I’d like to think I’m known for ease of collaboration, as well as my ability to be ‘cut loose’ and come back with essential materials. Most of my growth has been from referrals. I’m confident in my reliability for image quality and apparently others are as well.
I take a lot of pride in my creative portraits, my landscapes, and my documentation of fine art.
Creative portraits are anything where I get to work with a person’s identity, character, or unique profession.
My landscape work has exploded over the last four years. Houston Parks Board, a client I am very happy for, has been leading my way there. I’ve also been working with Houston Arboretum, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, and Houston Visitors Guide for their landscape needs. Some of this work has involved complex image-stitching to show areas much larger than what a traditional frame can fit.
I also regularly document 2D fine art and sculpture. I use a variety of techniques to accurately represent artwork accurately for promotional use and marketing of that work. I also document art gallery installations. This is very detail-oriented work. I love doing it because I know I respect the artist. Art needs to be respected.
I’ve years of experience working in a studio and on location. I’ve worked in chest-deep water, burning forests, an open helicopter, and sitting in street gutters. It’s been fun.
I’m seriously grateful I get to do what I love for a living. I wouldn’t change it.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Thanks to Texas governance, companies from more progressive regions have pulled back from Texas. This has put a crunch on local talent that can be hired from outside the state.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://anthonyrathbun.photoshelter.com/index
- Instagram: rathbun_photography
Image Credits
Anthony Rathbun Photography
