Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek Emge.
Hi Derek, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My path as a photographer began when I received my first SLR in 7th grade and I began exploring life through the lens, one 24-image strip of film at a time. From the beginning, I naturally focused on small visual details that gave insight to or clues about only the piece of a story, rather than simply documenting complete scenes. Textures, juxtapositions, colors, and surprises were what captured my attention. Skills in the darkroom (remember those?) taught me to see what “could be” rather than what is necessarily seen at first blush. From those early beginnings, it was clear I was a visual person.
My pragmatic side took over in the middle of my life and I had a fulfilling carrier as a consumer class action litigator, retiring from the practice in 2020. Yet, I had never stopped photographing and had spent years in the water and on the shore photographing my son and friends in surf contests and free surfing throughout California, Latin, and South America. After being pursued by a local gallery, I began showing and selling large format images printed on metal and glass. Much of my work is still rooted in the ocean, with shades of blue being the predominate color scheme of my work. Many consider my images “modern,” “vibrant,” and “coastal.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I had a rather unconventional path in that photography as a “business” was never part of my consciousness. I didn’t have the luxury to experiment with “pursuing your passion” if that passion didn’t earn a solid living so a paid career came first. Years spent in courtrooms arguing to judges and juries confirmed what I knew to be true – the visual sense is one of our most relied upon strengths. We make sense from what we see. We feel emotions from seeing people react to situations and inquiry. As a litigator, I was always conscious of these facts. Now, I have stepped away from the courtroom, content with what I accomplished there, and have refocused my energy on the most obvious of visual pursuits: photography. When one refocuses their efforts from solving disputes to generating emotional responses to natural beauty, the transition is smooth. I love what I see through the lens and I love the opportunity to share it with my fans. When they can connect with an image and experience some of the same emotions I felt when I was taking the image, then I have done my job. Nothing would make me happier than if everyone could have at least one image on their wall that provides them with a moment of reflection, calmness, or energy.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a surf and fine art photographer who simply loves the outdoors. I work with individuals and small groups on 3–4-hour surf sessions, sometimes shooting from land and sometimes from the water, depending on the waves and location. It is a great feeling when everything comes together: light, surf, talent, location. It is even more rad with my clients see images of themselves surfing and they remember the exact turn, the feeling of being barreled, or whatever the image depicts. When I’m not working directly with a client, my attention turns to the world around me. I love the details nature provides: textures, colors, movement, etc. These are my canvas and the source of my fine art prints. I print mostly on sheets of metal or acrylic (glass) in large format. This can mean 8′ long images or even triptychs stretching 20′ feet. Big is beautiful when space permits!
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Everything we do in life to advance from one position to the next involves risk so unless you are content staying in exactly the same place, you have to adopt and embrace risk. As a litigator, one learns that every step encompasses risk. As a photographer or artist, the very nature of your work is risky: how will people react to the image/art? Will my image be criticized or embraced? How do I make an image that is more than just a snapshot? Can I afford to put myself and my art “out there?” Most important, will anyone purchase my image/art? One must decide where they stand personally on these risk issues and then how to proceed. However, there is little reward with the risk so what is my position on risk? Embrace it and let it drive your decisions!
Pricing:
- Images starting at $10
- Museum-quality images sold for thousands
Contact Info:
- Website: www.DerekEmgePhotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derekemgephotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekemgephotography
