John & Cassidy Olson
The Creekwalker Interview April 2007
The photography of John & Cassidy Olsen testifies to an inherent unity
in the world of forms, from the man-made to the natural. Whether
photographing dramatic landscapes from New England to New Mexico or
capturing the architectural elements of a modern cityscape, their photography
bears witness to the mystical capacity of all things - from the common to the
ethereal - to inspire us.
website: olsonphotographic.com/
in the world of forms, from the man-made to the natural. Whether
photographing dramatic landscapes from New England to New Mexico or
capturing the architectural elements of a modern cityscape, their photography
bears witness to the mystical capacity of all things - from the common to the
ethereal - to inspire us.
website: olsonphotographic.com/
Abiquiu Mesa
Creekwalker: The journey from 9-to-5 jobs to the world of professional photography is an interesting one. Can you comment on the transition from your pre-photography lives to your current status as professional photographers?
Olson: Both of us worked professional with photography as a hobby. John was an admissions director for a small liberal arts Junior College and Cassidy was a corporate stockbroker. When we started the business, John would take a vacation day to shoot for a client. After about six months of that, he left to devote himself to marketing the business and gaining new clients. Cassidy remained at her job for another year maintaining benefits and a steady paycheck. The business was officially born July 1999 and both of us were working full time in it by November 2000.
Creekwalker: How do you work together ?
Olson: While we are both photographers, we each have skills that compliment the other. Cassidy is very good at planning, organizing and facilitating all trips. Once on location, she puts her people skills to good use finding local folklore and great places to explore. She studies the map and moves the operation along checking out shots and shooting along the way. John goes along for the ride, shooting as well, but enjoys that challenge of the lighting and composition of each shot. Once the trip is over, we both review the shots to determine which ones will make it to the portfolio as well as the best way to present each shot. While we both shoot, the team approach works well for us.
Olson: Both of us worked professional with photography as a hobby. John was an admissions director for a small liberal arts Junior College and Cassidy was a corporate stockbroker. When we started the business, John would take a vacation day to shoot for a client. After about six months of that, he left to devote himself to marketing the business and gaining new clients. Cassidy remained at her job for another year maintaining benefits and a steady paycheck. The business was officially born July 1999 and both of us were working full time in it by November 2000.
Creekwalker: How do you work together ?
Olson: While we are both photographers, we each have skills that compliment the other. Cassidy is very good at planning, organizing and facilitating all trips. Once on location, she puts her people skills to good use finding local folklore and great places to explore. She studies the map and moves the operation along checking out shots and shooting along the way. John goes along for the ride, shooting as well, but enjoys that challenge of the lighting and composition of each shot. Once the trip is over, we both review the shots to determine which ones will make it to the portfolio as well as the best way to present each shot. While we both shoot, the team approach works well for us.
Oak Creek Rapids
Creekwalker: You find beauty across a breadth of subject matter, from man-made objects such as cars, boats and buildings, to nature. Can you describe the development of this broad, integrated, approach to subject matter?
Olson: We both appreciate and are inspired by design. Good design can be found in both nature and man-made objects: the curve of a torpedo headlight, the curve of the arches at Fort Jefferson at Dry Tortugas National Park, the cathedral like formations of the Red Rocks in Sedona.
Moonrise Abiquiu
Creekwalker: Your knowledge of the artistic and commercial aspects of photography across a variety of subject matter would appear to be a natural basis for a curriculum. Do you have any desire to teach workshops in the future?
Olson: Teaching a workshop is an opportunity we would welcome.
Creekwalker: How does the process of creating a book work? Do you suggest an idea to a publisher (in
the form of a proposal) or, at this stage of your careers, do requests come to you? What is the time frame
involved, from inception to publication?
Olson: Creating a book is a long wonderful process. The greatest challenge is thinking of an idea that inspires us and forwarding that idea to a publisher. Time frame from inception to published product is usually 1 to 3 years.
Olson: Teaching a workshop is an opportunity we would welcome.
Creekwalker: How does the process of creating a book work? Do you suggest an idea to a publisher (in
the form of a proposal) or, at this stage of your careers, do requests come to you? What is the time frame
involved, from inception to publication?
Olson: Creating a book is a long wonderful process. The greatest challenge is thinking of an idea that inspires us and forwarding that idea to a publisher. Time frame from inception to published product is usually 1 to 3 years.
Sedona Sunrise
Creekwalker: What places would you include on your list of places you'd like to photograph?
Olson: Alaska soon. We are primarily interested in all the beauty America has to offer – again, natural and man-made.again.
Creekwalker: The debate between proponents of digital and standard film remains lively. As professionals employing the digital process - from your use of Canon digital cameras through processing with Photoshop and printing - can you comment on your journey from film to digital?
Olson: We have used every size format camera from 35mm to 4x5 view cameras in just about every camera system. We have used 3 or 4 different digital systems.
We can candidly say that each system has its pros and cons and you will never know if a system will work for you until you actually use it. We stayed with film until digital could replicate a film drum scan. We are just thrilled to be on a digital platform now as we feel that we personally have total control over the entire creative process.
Olson: Alaska soon. We are primarily interested in all the beauty America has to offer – again, natural and man-made.again.
Creekwalker: The debate between proponents of digital and standard film remains lively. As professionals employing the digital process - from your use of Canon digital cameras through processing with Photoshop and printing - can you comment on your journey from film to digital?
Olson: We have used every size format camera from 35mm to 4x5 view cameras in just about every camera system. We have used 3 or 4 different digital systems.
We can candidly say that each system has its pros and cons and you will never know if a system will work for you until you actually use it. We stayed with film until digital could replicate a film drum scan. We are just thrilled to be on a digital platform now as we feel that we personally have total control over the entire creative process.
Cathedral Vesper
Creekwalker: Photographers and other artists often adopt certain geographical places as sources of creative energy and spiritual insight. Do you have a geography that feels like home to you?
Olson: We are blessed with the ability to appreciate every place we visit. We try not to get too attached to any one place and pride ourselves in being able to see, appreciate and capture the beauty in each locale.
Coffee Pot Twilight
Creekwalker: What advice - artistic and commercial - would you give a novice who desires to make a living through photography?
Olson: Most importantly, feel the fear and do it. Business skills, if not possessed, must be learned! Take yourself and your business seriously.
Olson: Most importantly, feel the fear and do it. Business skills, if not possessed, must be learned! Take yourself and your business seriously.
© Copyright 2007 Creekwalker. Photography © John & Cassidy Olson. All rights reserved.