Iceland Workshop Crew
Megan Armstrong
Home: Missouri, USA
Gear: Sony A6300, GoPro, Polaroid, Olympus SuperZoom Infinity 330 with Gusto35 Red Admiral film.
Experience: Well, this is embarrassing, but I'm just starting. I have been primarily a writer my entire life. But for the last three years, I've felt drawn deep down to photography and exploring visual storytelling as a complement. To make me a more complete storyteller. I'm a documenter at heart — always have been. I was that kid in the friend group that brought a camera everywhere. I'd look forward to our weekend plans because it meant new opportunities to take new pictures and more stories to tell.
Work: Well, this is going to sound like I'm just saying this because Jeremiah will see this email, but being the first person to write down his story for Thrillist over a year and a half ago meant a lot to me — specifically when he told me that his mother was so thankful that she now had that part of his life all documented. I'm also proud to have been part of curating this exclusive Chainsmokers photo gallery for Billboard: https://www.billboard.com/photos/7973753/chainsmokers-asia-tour-behind-the-scenes-pics-bts
I'm most proud of work that the people I'm documenting are proud of. More recently, I've been working on cover stories for a magazine in London called tmrw — I can't link you to it because it is content exclusive to print, but I have grown a lot as a creative being involved in putting together that print product and developing deeper narratives. Another thing I will link you to is this: https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8483939/raleigh-ritchie-me-myself-i-interview
Obviously, it has nothing to do with photography or videography. But the conversation is something I'm very proud of. For Raleigh to have been so comfortable with me to open up the way he did, and for him to be pleased with the end result that he wants to continue working together in the future outside of Billboard. He and I are batting around ideas that could involve photo/video, and nurturing these relationships with the human beings behind the music is a priority for me.
Greatest Strength: Humanizing. Making empathy palpable through narrative. When talking about photo/video, I'd say that translates into making people, places, things feel relatable and capturing emotion and intricacies.
Improvement Points: As I said, I'm a beginner visually. So, I simply want to come away better. A more well-rounded individual. Having more knowledge of the fundamentals behind a camera so that I can create my own style of capturing moments from there. I'm looking most forward to all of the new friends and creative allies I will have. I am not expecting for this workshop to instantly change my life. It is up to me to change my own life. But I am optimistic that I will learn tools to help me in doing so over time.
Inspirations: So many, but these are the people coming to mind as I sit here to answer this. You, Reese! Joe Termini, who once told me he creates all day every day because he doesn't know how else to get through the days — he needs it to process the world, which I relate to. Where I falter is turning that feeling into corresponding consistent production/output. Katie Nolan because of how she built her career: working full-time as a bartender and then coming home late at night to make her own videos for years. Raven Varona because she is one of few women accompanying artists on tour. My aunt and uncle: they are both 60 and have never stopped pushing themselves to learn new things. They travel together as much as possible, they read and consume as much art to expand themselves as people. My uncle decided to start taking art classes earlier this year for the first time in his life and is already making really cool ceramics. Doing art just for the sake of doing art and nothing more.
Learns by: I learn best by being told what to do (step-by-step), doing it as best as I can, and then being critiqued so that I can learn how to do it better at the most basic level. So, in other words, step-by-step at first, and then being challenged/critiqued once I have the very basics down.
Struggles: Both intimidation and perfectionism. I compare myself too often on Instagram to people who have been doing this for YEARS! And so, that paralyzes me because I am a perfectionist when what I should be doing is just starting and seeing what builds from there. I do believe that signing up for this trip is a huge step for me in that direction. Technically, my career is in content creation as a writer. But not in the way I truly want or in the way that totally feels most authentic to me/my sensibilities.
IG: https://www.instagram.com/documeg/
Victoria Tennisco
Gear: I currently don't have much gear at the moment, but I am planning of buying more within the next few months. However, as for right now all I currently have is a camera.
Experience: I have done a few classes in school over the past few years for photography. As well, I am planning on potentially starting school again, at some point, in a program for Photography, and Video Production.
Work: She didn’t send any.
Greatest Strength: My strength in content creation, would be finalizing and making sure the product is edited and put together to the way I want it.
Improvement Points: I would like to improve on process organization, and putting ideas together to make sense.
Inspirations: One of a few people who inspires me is Rory Kramer.
Learns By: I learn best with step by step instruction, and repetition. It help for me to visually learn something and when I can write things down so its easier for me to memorize and retain the information.
Struggles: Some struggles I have with making content are, finding inspiration and figuring out how to piece together an idea, and organize my ideas so can create my idea. Another struggle is figuring out how to start my career in content creation to make money.
Oscar Reyes
IG: @Oscarthelonewolf
Gear: Canon 1DXii, DJI Mavic 2 Pro, Ronin S, Rollieflex
Experience: 6 years but haven’t made it a career yet.
Work: https://www.instagram.com/p/BlrVqfwA6Bq/?igshid=tuw1bq7msv55
Greatest strength: I feel that I’m great at portraits and capturing nature so lifestyle photography is what I’d like to aim for.
Improvement points: My editing and piecing together of photos along with actually pitching myself to potential clients and building confidence in knowing that I’m more than capable of getting the job done great.
Inspirations: Benjamin Von Wong, Peter McKinnon, Sam Kolder
Learns by: I’m a hands on type of person. I love to research things and try them out and see how they come out but most of the time i love just going out there and pushing an idea and seeing if it’s what i had in mind. I love a challenge especially when friendly competition is involved because it pushes me and it’s fun. I always appreciate good criticism because it helps me see what I’m missing and what could help me improve.
Struggles: I can’t seem to take the jump because I feel like i don’t know everything i need to know to make it work. I don’t know how or who to reach out to to or what to even say to them to make them want to hire me. I also don’t know what to charge and what exactly I’m suppose to charge because some people charge for editing and licensing apart from just shooting. I know for certain that i have everything i need to do the job right and the ability to, just need to be bold and take the chance.
Aaron Bowman
IG: @aaroncbowman
Gear: Sony a6500, a7iii, Mavic 2 Pro, FPV Drone, 70-200 mm 2.8, 24-70 mm 2.8, 16 mm 1.4, Osmo Action, Weebill S
Experience: 3 years
Work: https://youtu.be/PBkrdg9G6kk
Strength: I have a huge passion for storytelling and connecting symbolic pieces into a masterpiece.
Improvement points: I would like to grow deeper in my filming skills, storytelling, workflow, and connections.
Inspiration: Sam Kolder, Cam Erman, Sam Newton, Cody Blue, Tony Robbins
Learns by: Jumping in head first
Struggles: Making a decision to focus on a style content/Having a creative team you can count on/partnership established with other creatives/connecting with the right businesses.
bailey albertson
IG: @baileyisultimate
Gear: Nikon D810, 14-24mm, 24-70mm, and 85mm.
Experience: I’ve been shooting for 8 years but I would say I am self taught, so I have no formal photo education besides an internship.
Strength: Communication with clients, and using unique perspectives to create quality images.
Improvement Points: I would really like to hone in my editing style.
Inspiration: Aaron Birmhall and Paul King. (Check out their insta handles) I love their low key tones.
Learns by: I learn best by jumping in headfirst (with a challenge in mind) then being critiqued afterwards. “Fake it till you make it.” Because I’m self taught, I will usually take on new challenges before I am positive I can handle it, then I try my best at producing the work expected.
Struggles: My career goal is to be a travel photographer. I do okay at scheduling senior portraits, engagements, and weddings, but I really want to get into more travel/lifestyle, and environmental shoots. Boosting followers on Instagram is something I would like to see as well.
Bryan Baumgartner
IG: https://www.instagram.com/bryguyfilms/
Gear: a7iii, multiple lenses, Mavic, maybe gimbal, lifelike raccoon mask
Experience: 3 years
Work: https://youtu.be/FRkafkU_aNQ
Strength: One time I was filming at an equine hospital and was asked to film the collection of a "stallion sample." I agreed, and honestly didn't know what to expect. But now I can positively say that I can film horse porn without vomiting. I'm not sure if that's a relevant strength, but yeah. My work ethic and drive
Improvement points: I'd really like to catch a live, free-range puffin. I haven't read up on Contiki's Puffin Policy, but I'd have to imagine they'll be cool with my puffin pal tagging along for the majority of the trip. My creative mindset, video editing techniques, pre-production processes
Inspiration: Stinky from "Hey Arnold!" Especially in that episode where he's down in the dumps about not being good at anything and goes on to grow a pumpkin the size of a small-medium sized condo. In the video world: Sam Kolder, Rory Kramer, Yoder, Quentin Tarantino, Edgar Wright
learns by: Jumping right in being challenged and critiqued
Struggles: Not to be too anecdotal, but... Three years ago all I had was an entry level DSLR and was making $0 from my work. I was so determined to make this my life and spent so much of my time practicing, watching tutorials, and acting on every creative idea I could think up. I've always wanted to make content creation my career, and really have known that I would make it happen. Through any job I worked prior to taking the leap, I just always had this feeling that I was meant to do more. To do better. And I was willing to put in as much work as it would take. Over the last two years I've had great success building my business creating corporate commercial and wedding videos. It has been my full-time job for two years now, and I love it. I get to work and grow and learn doing something that I love. I made a solid connection with a production company that contracts me out to shoot corporate shoots for them all across the country. I should be completely satisfied and happy with where I am. But I know I can do more. I know I can be better. Somewhere along the way I lost that creative passion to take on personal projects. I lost the creative confidence to post my work and engage on social media. I was getting so much corporate work that I got too caught up in how much money I was making and lost sight of why I started doing this in the first place. One of the biggest questions I have for you guys is how you maintain that creative spirit amidst constant work. How you manage work through a rut when doing what you do might feel more like a "job". Mainly I hope this trip reignites the creative spark in me that got me interested in content creation in the first place. Can't wait to kick it in Iceland next week!
Tutti Haiby
IG: https://www.instagram.com/jetsettersecrets/
Gear: Sony A7iii, Mavic Zoom
Experience: About 2 years
Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCpBv2nk-qg
Strength: I'm intuitive, creative and hardworking.
Improvement points: Improving my photography and video settings so my editing workflow is easier afterward to produce more content. Learning how do I plan what I shoot without before seeing the location. Flying my drone.
Inspiration: Sam Kolder, Peter Mckinnon and the list is longgg
Learns by: For technical stuff, step by step instructions is the best for me. That's how I learned on Youtube. Honestly, I have gear I don't understand much about, but I just see the world in frames :) and I shoot.
Struggles: I'm an entrepreneur in the hospitality business, that's my expertise but when it comes to content creation and photography I don't know how to pitch brands, how to monetize my skills, maybe it's lack of knowledge and experience that effects my confidence. I know I have what it takes and I can't wait to learn from you guys.
Peter Jordanoff
IG: http://instagram.com/peter.jordanoff/ (NSFW)
Gear: sony a7ii, 35f1.4 85f1.8 canon70-200f4 canon16-35f4, ronin-s, Mavic 2 pro, MacBook
Experience: 5 years now
Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySbZ61BI1_E& (ALSO NSFW)
Strength: I'm strong in technical parts. As I am a "problem solver", it helps me out in real situations.
Improvement Points: The travel style will be new for me, but I wanna build it to my style. You can also show me a lot of new in video making, because I've just recently started it. The business is also a good part.
Inspiration: Mavrin, Peter McKinnon, and anyone who makes standout content
Learns by: If it's new, I need the step-by-step, but after you can challenge me. I'm kinda maximalist, so feel free to critique my work, that helps to improve.
Struggles: Basically it is still a hobby for me, I have to start a career in this industry. In Hungary everybody wants the content for free, so you can't charge enough for a good living. But I also struggling with the language, as I'm not a native speaker. Using a lot, but in a semi formal situations in my job, not as free as it is necessary in the online world.
Brennen Schuelke
Link your most active social platform or portfolio
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ5BFhoGEmu-jyRyuN27jqg
Gear: Sony A7iii/Dji Ronin S/Dji Mavic Pro
Experience: 2 years
Work: https://youtu.be/TQ7y_wbvIAo
Strength: Always wanting and being able to see things in many different perspectives to make my creations more unique and interesting
Improvement points: Learning how to color grade better and finding my style in it and learn how to add more depth to my stories
Inspiration: Sam Kolder, Captain Potter, Chelsea Kauai, GimbalGod
Learns by: I learn best with criticism and feedback
Struggles: My struggles are just putting myself out there as much as I can be.
Tyler Harrington
IG: ty.harrington
Gear: Sony a7iii, extra wide angle lense
Experience: about 2 months
Strength: Just getting started.
Improvement Points: Coming up with concepts for a shot
Learns by: jumping in head first, always prefer doing over studying
Struggles: just looking to make it a part-time side hustle. Have not gotten started yet.
Kelley Johnson
IG: https://instagram.com/kelleywjohnson
Gear: Sony A7rii/A7ii,DJI mavic air, DJI Osmo Mobile 2, lenses-14mm, 35mm, 24-240mm, 50mm, 16-35mm, Glidecam, wireless triggers.
Experience: 3 years
Work: https://instagram.com/p/BJV49skDA_1/
Strength: Flexibility, and learning new styles quickly. I don’t have a set style yet, and I’m ok with that because I get to experiment constantly, even if my IG suffers a little from it.
Improvement Points: Story telling through photography, and learning to grow my IG and connections. I would love to turn photography/Videography into a career.
Inspiration: Eric Paré, David Yarrow, Peter McKinnon
Learns by: Jumping in head first, and critique the hell out of me. My photography is a work in process and I believe everyone can teach you something, So I’m very open to critiques and suggestions.
Struggles: I’ve always shied away from social media...which is funny because I was on a TV show, but sharing stories and places with people is incredible, and I want to be able to make money while doing it. Just not sure how to put the first foot through the door.
