F.A.Q. - How Did You Get Into National Geographic?
Everywhere I go, people always say, "you are so lucky, you get to travel the world and take pictures for National Geographic". I need to dispel the myth that working for National Geographic Magazine is a bed of roses, traveling to exotic places to take a few snaps and live a life of fame and luxury.
Getting recognized by National Geographic, (and even more so, completing my first assignment for them,) was the hardest thing I have ever done. At the same time, it has been the most rewarding experience of my career. I spent 8 years pestering them by sending in my latest publications from dozens of international magazines to no avail. Finally, after years of trying, National Geographic photographer Flip Nicklin mentored me and introduced me to the world of National Geographic magazine and assignments. Then, Flip, along with Joel Sartore and their editor, Kathy Moran, allowed me the opportunity to photograph a couple of underwater situations on one of their stories (see Pacific Suite, February 2003). The editorial team looked at some of my work and a few months later I got "the call" asking if I wanted to shoot an underwater story for them on Atlantic Salmon (see July 2003). Since then I have completed two other stories and have been a part of other assignments.
As for the fame, my local bookstore in Whitehorse that carries my book "Seasons of the Arctic" (which has been getting good reviews), does not even know who I am. My only fans are my mother because she is genetically obligated and my dog because I buy his love with pepperoni treats. You have to do it because you love it. And, as far as getting rich and living a life of luxury, I look forward to the day that my expenses are below my income. Gear, gear and more gear. For those of you who keep telling your spouses that "this is my last lens"….trust me, it never ends, but those words do work for a while.