Meet a Photographer

We caught up with Anthony Cirroco, who has worked as a photographer for almost 18 years. In his career Anthony has produced feature length broadcast documentaries, music videos and over 300 TV commercials. He currently works as a trainer at Open Colleges but also but handles  photography projects.

I was a photographer before I studied a Bachelor of Arts  in Communications. I didn’t really choose photography as a career at first; for me, it was a passion. I shot BMX and mountain bikers first; then I slowly moved into commercial photography and TV commercials. It wasn’t until after I studied my Masters in Film and Television Editing that I started getting serious about my choice of career. I had gigged on and off as a video producer and photographer since 1996, but in 2006 I got a large stock library shoot for a large state capital client and made a quarter of my yearly wage in one month and thought, “Maybe this freelancing thing could be sustainable after all”.

From that point onwards I built a successful freelance practice as a Producer, Photographer and Educator. Though I now work full-time for Open Colleges; I still take on jobs as a photographer and producer from time to time to keep my skills up to date.

I used to split my time into thirds. The first would be promotion, where I would market my photography and connect with potential clients. The second, I would spend shooting and editing for clients, and the third, I would spend reviewing shoots, research and planning future business.

Obviously shooting and editing was where the passion lay for me. Usually, I would get up early review the client contact and any agreements we made, pack all the gear, then head out to the location early. I would always meet the client first and then discuss where to set up all the gear and when I would like the subject to arrive,

Photographers need to know their equipment intuitively so that they can focus on client interaction and creativity whilst shooting. At the same time, they need to see their camera not as a device but a tool to shape story, light and connection between the subject and the audience

I particularly like the “journey” that photography takes me on. Different places, access to people and cultures and learning about the various subjects I shoot. For me the journey is an essential part of the enjoyment of working in the industry, it just so happens it’s something I love doing.

Study the art and craft of photography, embrace competition and feedback, and never stop learning. Most of all “do”. Take photographs often. Shooting great images is like learning the violin, the more you practice the better you will get. Also, remember to learn from the greatest photographers, research them, seek them out in books and galleries, emulate them and then be better than them.

Thank You, Anthony, for sharing your story with training.com.au