Today we’d like to introduce you to Bolster McKinley.
Hi Bolster, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Bo, and I am a photographer. I split time between the mountains of New York and the beaches of California. I love to surf, I feel most at home in the water or with a camera in my hands. Peanut Butter is my favorite food and there is no musician alive more talented than Frank Ocean.
I have always enjoyed taking photographs. I remember when Instagram first came out, I was enthralled… a platform just for photos!? But I didn’t consider it a viable way to make a living until recently, April of 2021 in fact. I have always been inclined toward art – but almost always felt like an imposter under that title. I remember having a conversation with my Mom, weeks after quitting my full-time job last year, with little direction and no prospects, and she said, “nobody is going to call you a photographer until you call yourself a photographer”. As simple as that sounds, that was a critical inflection point for me as an artist.
So, in April of last year I decided to commit to photography full time. Albeit slow, my progress both artistically and economically has been steady. Perhaps more important, I am in full control of my work, and all my work is creative! What a privilege that is.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
No way! It has been and continues to be a battle. But I am here for it. I played competitive basketball most of my life, not so much anymore, but that background has instilled a competitors mindset in me – and that is how I approach my work. As a process. I try to chip away a little every day and just improve.
Beyond the obvious struggles of freelancing, winning business, staying busy, marketing yourself, staying organized, this process has been emotionally difficult as well. The uncertainty of it all weighs on you – am I pursuing the right career? Where is my next job coming from? Can I afford a new light? A new tripod? Am I actually any good at this?
I haven’t really figured out an effective way to deal with this doubt, except to try not to take myself too seriously and try not to care about what other people think.
As Joel Embid might say, “trust the process”. That is what I am trying to do.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a photographer. Right now, my work breaks down about 60% wedding photography and 40% brand/lifestyle work. I actually shoot most of my weddings back on the East Coast, and most of my brand work out here – so I am pretty mobile. That has been great so far. I get to enjoy the best of both coasts!
I don’t really specialize in anything – which I know is not a very capitalist mindset, but honestly, I don’t really care. I pursued this life, in part, for its diversity and flexibility. I don’t want to “niche down” because that would be limiting. I want to be able to shoot weddings and brands and portraits on film, maybe mint an NFT, and share the work that I like simply because I like it, not because it is “on brand”.
I honestly don’t have anything that I am most proud of. I am proud of all of my work and all that I have done for myself in the past year, but I am also so focused on my day to day, that I don’t much think about my portfolio cohesively, I think about it as disparate parts, and each new part is evolving.
What sets me apart? I think it depends on the job/the client, but I think I am excellent with people. I make an effort to connect, to understand what they need from me. A good photo is contextual, subtle and emotional – and you can’t get to that place without finding common ground.
What’s next?
I want to buy a house/studio! I have a background in carpentry – so I want to buy a piece of junk and fix it up into a livable workable space. This isn’t exactly a professional goal, but I think it will be a huge source of inspiration and an amazing opportunity to learn. Definitely expensive though, so I need to book a ton of gigs in the next six months.
I am also planning on shooting a ton more film! It sounds cliche – but film is just so dang good. I have really just dipped my toe into that world, so I am excited to keep learning and pushing my comfort zone a few stops.
Contact Info:
- Email: bolster.mckinley@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.bomckinley.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodolphin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoDolphinMcKinley/
