Home Vincent’s Q & A
Vincent's Q & A
Q- How long have you been a photographer?
A- I decided to try my hand at photography in the summer of 1994. I had failed in every other job I had. I imagined that I would fail again, but photography sounded cool. I figured that if I was going to fail again, at least it would be doing something cool.
Q- So 21 years later, is it safe to say it’s worked out?
A- It’s looking like I made a good choice. It’s more like 18 or 19 years though, because I didn’t make a dime from photography for those first few years!
Q- You have been a photographer for 21 years, but have been shooting weddings for 10 years. What did you shoot before weddings?
A- My career has always been based in photojournalism, and still is. I worked for newspapers in New York, Michigan and Indiana and have freelanced for wire services ranging from the Associated Press, Getty Images, European Pressphoto Agency and many other magazines and publications. I’m very grateful that my photographs have been published in nearly every major newspaper and magazine on the globe.
Q- What was your first photography job?
A- I was an intern for a studio based from of the National Hockey League. My passion as a kid was sports, and I was able to start towards a dream career in sports photography.
Q- Tell us more about that.
A- I’m a pretty lucky guy. I’ve been fortunate to have made a career doing something I love. I’ve been on the field photographing Super Bowls, the World Series, the NHL and NBA playoffs as well as events like the Kentucky Derby and most every major sporting event. I’ve traveled the country doing this, and have shot games in more than 120 professional venues. I’m in the process of making a book about my careers adventures.
Q- Does being a sports photographer give you an advantage when it comes to wedding photography? Or are they totally unrelated?
A- It absolutely does. The most storytelling, unique and emotional wedding images usually happen in an instant, are gone quickly and often happen in low light. Sports photography is an unbelievable way to prepare for that. When Antonio Brown of the Steelers makes a diving, acrobatic, 40-yard touchdown catch, I can’t ask him to go back and do it again. I have to nail that picture every time.
Q- What wedding photographers are your inspiration?
A- Honestly, I don’t look at wedding photography often. We spend our time playing with our kids and working on things that we love. I’m probably the only wedding photographer than draws his inspiration from NFL Films. Their behind the scenes work, angle choices, their ability to use light dramatically and their storytelling fits closely with what we try to achieve when we shoot weddings.
Q- Who is a better photographer, you or Elizabeth?
A- Elizabeth. No doubt. But she would probably say I was.
Q- Why do you say she is better?
A- Elizabeth has a way of shooting high impact, tender moments with depth to the images without being obtrusive at all. She has taught me how to be so much better at that. When we first met, I didn’t get close to my subjects like she could. If she sought out notoriety or the spotlight, she would be recognized and one of the best in the nation.
Q- How did you and Elizabeth meet?
A- Elizabeth and I met at a party at Ohio University, where we both attended the School of Visual Communications. If you would like to read the story about how we met and how we were engaged, check this out.