Photographer's Intentions -- Please Read

Photo Van · Since 22 Jul 2009 2 Posts Van down by the river New Member

To everyone I have met with, shot with, talked with or has just seen my van around somewhere.
I am an adventure photographer with a whitewater kayaking, sea kayaking, wakeboarding and snowboarding background. I live to document the sports I love and the athletes that truly live by them.
One of my main career goals is to try to get the mainstream outdoor community to pay attention to the smaller, niche sports and give them the respect and coverage they deserve. I have been working on this with whitewater kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and now I am attempting this with kiteboarding and kitesports in general. My mission while I am in the area is to shoot this sport (and the many sports that use kites) in a way that the general outdoor community will appreciate it. I am working from the ground up, learning what it is like to be personally involved with the sport (I have been drooling over this sport since I was 16) as well as taking advantage of every opportunity to get out and shoot it.
I really had no idea what I was in for when I came up here, but so far it has been amazing. I have met tons of great folks and really helpful characters.
Unfortunately, in my short time here, I have already heard some murmurings of being a picture hoarder, gold digger and so forth, implying that I am here to take from you all as riders. I am writing to assure you that this is not the case and that I am here at a huge financial risk, on my own dime with bills to pay like everyone else in order to help your sport. Like I said, I have been impressed by kiteboarding since I was a young punk wakeboarder and would like nothing more than to see it grace the pages of larger outdoor market magazines.
In order to accomplish this, I cannot share my work online, in forums or hand out digital files that will inevitably end up in those places or on Facebook, Myspace, etc… If that happens, then the images no longer have much value (having been seen and posted everywhere already) to magazines, you as riders, the agency I partner with, or me. Likewise, there are legal ramifications for me if I hand out files that my agency is representing. Please understand that this is my entire livelihood. I don’t have a day job. This is my career and my life. This is something that I have sacrificed and worked for over the last 8 years.
I would not be so adamant about this if I hadn’t already been there before. I was liberal with a few images to someone I thought I could trust and before I knew it, a company that had previously turned down one of those images suddenly had the Hires version and used it for a national campaign. Of course, that is just now starting the legal battle over who has rights to that image.
Please know that I am here with the bigger picture in mind. I want to promote your sport in bigger ways, but I need your help and cooperation. I am not here to take from you, I am here to give to you. I am just one person, but I am working to make a positive change in the way this sport is perceived. It’s a risk and it may have no return for anyone, but let me try.
I hope this conveys my intentions as honestly and sincerely as possible. If you have any concerns or issues with me being in the area and shooting, please get in touch with me in person, on the phone or by email and I would be more than happy to meet with you. I just want everyone to know why I am here and that you can speak with me openly any time.

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Jul 22, 09 12:00 pm

I guess that means that I am not going to see any of the pictures you took of us last weekend as per my e-mail request. Sad

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

Chooch · Wed Jul 22, 09 12:12 pm

Thanks for all the time you have been putting it Trevor. Everyone should respect what you do and understand you situation, have not heard the disparaging remarks about hogging all the pics but I'll be sure to set em straight if I do. Wink

Hope to see ya out on the water on a kite or behind the lense! Cool

-Brian

P.s. Thanks for the tips out on the water, got some good pointers about being a photo subject from you.

eli_anderson · Since 04 Jun 2007 507 Posts Addicted

well said. I've been working with Trevor for about a month. And AMAZING describes his pics. And he works super hard....reminds me of the kid in 'Almost Famous'

and....if you'd like to view the pics, you could probably arrange that privately with Trevor.

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

No one should have any issues with this. It's your job, not a hobby. I wouldn't expect you to hand it out for free.

If people wanted to take a look at some of the stuff you shot of them to potentially buy some, could that be arranged (in person so you would still have posession of the photos)? Or are you just looking to sell more to magazines.

Photo Van · Since 22 Jul 2009 2 Posts Van down by the river New Member

Thanks everyone for the positive feedback and for understanding my position. I do not license images on a personal level, but will have a print order system set up on my website soon. I will keep everyone posted on that as it progresses.

As for showing images privately, not a problem. I don't have an edit for the Jones weekend yet though.

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 538 Posts Oregon Addicted

some insite to Trevors goals:

http://www.thecleanestline.com/2009/07/launching-an-outdoor-career-against-the-odds.html#more

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 538 Posts Oregon Addicted

some insite to Trevors goals:

http://www.thecleanestline.com/2009/07/launching-an-outdoor-career-against-the-odds.html#more

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Never visite your site- see your van everywhere...

Wholly crap - nice work

love this one:
http://www.trevorclarkphoto.com/_blog/Trevor_Clark/post/Inland_SUP_Movement/

I used to run this river all the time - once saw a swimmer above the dreaded Iron Ring and paddled over to pull him in - it was Jim Snyder, inventer of the squirt boat - bored with paddling decided to swim it.

SUPing class V is pretty bold too.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

Nice work and way to go sticking up for your intellectual property Thumb's Up

although I've always wondered who really owns the shot. Photog or rider? No pirated software in the van, right?

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

ps... this guy got a little too far inland maybe?

Link

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Jul 22, 09 1:51 pm

some sick pics for sure

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

just my 2c; holding out for the mags is fine-- thanks for the heads up.
You'd make more happier subjects if you gave us a shot at buying them;
because we will; and you might even make a few bucks-- It sounds like
that's what you're up to-- so thanks! As far as changing the way the sport
is perceived--- I don't see any problems with it do you?

railgrab · Since 29 Mar 2005 177 Posts Seattle, WA Stoked

Trevor, I wish you success in your efforts and the challenges you face! In this digital age, there will always be people who don't appreciate the value and expense of photography and it comes with the territory. We are spoiled here at NWkite with extremely talented and generous photographers. It's great to see you doing what you love.

Ethan aka Railgrab

JUMPIN JIMI · Since 11 Nov 2006 123 Posts Stoked

YOU SHOULD BE A WEDDING PHOTOG IF YOU NEED MONEY Idea

THIS SPORT IS BIG ENOUGH WITHOUT YOU, HAVE YOU SEEN ALL THE KITEBOARDING MAGS Question

WAY TO TOOT YOUR OWN HORN Shocked