My start into commercial photography

I've nowhere near learned everything there is to know about commercial photography, but throughout my education and my own research, I picked up a few things that helped me elevate my work. Here's my journey.

The beginning

My start into photography as a whole happened in my first grade of high school. I joined a photography club where we would go to cool places and photograph landscapes and the environment.

Me and my friend from photo club

I started thinking about going into photography as a career because I enjoyed it so much but I was always uncertain about it because I didn't know what I wanted to do specifically. I went to different places in the area (with the photo club) but I didn't feel as satisfied with what I was taking. Part of me wondered if I was mistaking my enjoyment of being with my friends for my joy of photography.

"What kind of photography do you want to go into?"

I ended up just saying "I like everything" to avoid answering with "I don't know".

The fascination

My parents bought me a camera for Christmas. I got the Canon T6i with the standard 18-55mm kit lens –– it was just a budget, entry-level camera but it made me so happy to have something higher quality from my point-and-shoot.

When I got it, I started practicing taking photos of different objects that I had around the house. I occasionally took landscapes and portraits of my friends but I always went back around to still-life. Naturally as a beginner, you practice with what's around you, but I found the most excitement shooting objects. I think I instinctively knew I liked product photography the most before I actually realized it.

A composite I was most proud of when I got my camera

From then on, I would watch YouTube videos trying to learn more about photography and get better at it. I learned from many sources but learned the most from Peter McKinnon (whose gone on to being a big YouTuber in the photography/filmmaking community) and binged watched all of his videos. I rewatched one of his videos about product photography many times and learned a lot about lighting and composition from it.

Fortunately, learning photography is the easiest it's ever been through the many different outlets online that teach different photographic tips and techniques. It's great that it allows for us to expand our range of talents and try new things.

The next big step

Throughout high school, I spent my time on photography and came to the realization that I want to pursue it as a career. After graduating, I decided to study photography at Humber College. It made it all the clearer what kind of photography I enjoyed the most; I always found the commercial classes the most fun and overly stressed about portraits; it just wasn't something that I thoroughly enjoyed and something I didn't want to pursue.

The two years of my program was spent learning about lighting, composition and different techniques to better enhance my images. Some of it was challenging to try and adapt to, but I found the challenge fun in the end and now I know good techniques for when I work in the field. I was exposed to other commercial photographers and apply what I like about their work onto mine –– I was even able to make a few connections, as well.

Luckily, I've been able to create art that I'm happy with. Despite not enjoying taking portraits a lot, I've been trying to incorporate people into my photography to try new things and diversify my range and I'm happy with my progress.

My work now

Check out my portfolio to see more of my work

The future

Photography doesn't come as easily to everyone, and that's okay. It took me 5-6 years to get to a place where I'm happier with my work. Struggles and doubt are inevitable but it's important to push through them.

I hope to keep learning more and improve further on my work. Get some field experience and truly start my career.

Go to my contact page, email me or call me to talk further!

Jack Rintoul