How Derek Dysart Sold an Image for $5000 Through PhotoShelter

Derek Dysart writes software by day, and photographs during all the other times of life — while changing lightbulbs, growing pumpkins or taking the kids to the school. So it’s apropos that a photo of one of his sons ended up making a nice advertising sale on PhotoShelter. You can license more of his work at http://psc.photoshelter.com/user/djdysart

You’re a software developer. How did you get interested in photography?
My
interest in photography predates my interest in computers. I remember
getting my hands on my uncle’s Canon AE-1 Program when I was 8 or 9 and
wanting to know how to use it. IIRC that camera operates in what is now
known as shutter priority, but I wanted to know what all the settings
did, so I got a book from the library and learned about exposure, how
aperture controls DOF, etc.  I took a photo of my younger brother, which
to this day my mom considers one of her favorites.  Soon my uncle
wanted it back, and all the family had was a crummy old Kodak Disc
camera.

Later, my family bought a Minolta Maxxum, one of the first
autofocus cameras. I remember taking a darkroom class and developing my
own film, making my own prints, etc.  I have no idea where any of that
ended up. I played with the Minolta some after that class, but the cost
of film and processing made it tough to really experiment, and there
was no way my folks would let me setup a darkroom.  The cost of the
camera was a big ticket item for us – what junior high kid has an
enlarger?

Still the itch was there.  Fast forward to recent times, I ended up
borrowing a co-workers Canon 10D for a trip to Albuquerque for a
wedding and the Balloon Fiesta.  After using it, I had it bad.  I took
me a bit to scrape enough extra together and I finally sprang for a 20D
and have been shooting it since.

My mom will also tell me it’s in my genes.  She came from a family
of photographers that go way back.  Evidently they did traveling
portraits throughout Missouri and Iowa during the late 1800’s and early
1900’s.  Her uncle was actually what I would guess would be called a
“beta tester” for Eastman Kodak back in the late 1930’s.  My mom’s
brother recently had some old family movies transferred to DVD.  There
is color motion picture footage from a family trip to Mt Rushmore when
it was still under construction in 1938.  Pretty crazy to see.

What sort of camera gear is in the bag?
Right now
* Canon 20D w/Grip (it seen a few miles, but still clickin’)
* EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6
* EF 50mm f/1.2L
* Canon 580EXII
* Nikon SB-24
* All kinda of Strobist knick-knacks –
 – Poverty Wizards (aka cheapo eBay triggers)
 – Ball bungies
 – Gaffers tape

I know you’re a portraitist. When did you start considering stock photography as a way to license your images?
I
got into portraits professionally mainly out of so many people asking
where we had our kids photos done.  When they found out I shot them,
they wanted me to shoot their kids. My wife eventually suggested that
maybe I should charge for it. A photography business was born. From the
start I knew I didn’t want to just make money off of a hobby. From the
get-go I wanted to treat it like a business.

I read everything I could on the business side of photography,
including John Harrington’s great book “Best Business Practices for
Photographers” and the blog he writes to go along with it. The first
thing I came to the realize was that folks are virtually giving away
their work, often not realizing it. Another thing that stuck with me is
if you want to get into a certain line of work (say, Editorial) but
don’t have the assignments, make them up and practice.  So that is sort
of where I started heading with my non-portrait work.

Everthing sort of came to a head in the Summer of 2007.  I remember reading all this buzz online for the Photoshelter Town Hall tour and there was a stop close by down in Chicago. I figured the price was right (free) and I’d maybe learn a thing or two. In the end, I took away a lot, especially from Katrina Wittkamp who sat on the group panel.  I talked to her about where she was going with her work and heard echos of what I’d heard before – do what you know now to pay the bills, and slowly build up the rest to support where you want to go.

Additionally, at the Town Hall, Photoshelter launched the Photoshelter Collection.  The excitement from the buyers seemed real, and most of all it was accessible to someone just getting there feet like me, so I signed up. I was ecstatic when my first submission were accepted, and I’ve been uploading since.

Photo by Derek Dysart / #PSC000143324

What’s the story behind the image you licensed?
I shot that photo while vacationing over the 4th of July weekend at my family’s cabin in Northwestern Wisconsin.  There is some great country scenery and I decided to go for a walk and asked my son if he wanted to go along.  He agreed and we walked on down the road.  I found the dried dandelion-looking flower (I still don’t know what it actually is) and thought I’d have him blow on it and get the seeds as they blew away.  I shot a bunch of frames, but they didn’t really come off.  Later when going through the shoot, I really liked this image.

Your kids feature prominently in your photography. What sort of day rate are you offering them?
Three square meals and a roof over their heads. Next question?

Joking aside, my kids are great – they put up with a camera in their face more than anyone should. If they become famous actors, they’ll be ready for the paparazzi.

The image is allegedly being used on a hotel key by a major hotel chain. Does it make you feel like booking a room for the weekend?
The wife and I thought about it – it would be really nice to get away. Is that an offer to watch the kids for the weekend? The older one loves photography, you’ll get along great. What time can I drop them off?

Oh wow. Er, Look at the time. Gotta run, Derek. Talk to you later!