Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Becker.
Steve, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I could say and it would be true, egotistical as it may be, I want to leave a legacy of myself to the world. My perception or my reality captured, my vision, documented and addressed, and with it, leave something good behind, from which to learn. In what form I don’t know, how it would manifest itself is an on-going project.
Photography was always an escape, a refuge. Raised in the 60s and 70s on the North Shore of Chicago, “Love” was measured in material wealth. Not support, nurture or of any physical nature. I never wanted for anything, except to be somewhere else.
Summer art shows and public library books offered me my first exposure to photography. I got mesmerized by the images and in the possibilities that lay within; what were the circumstances that led to this image? What happened after? What is the story or secret within? I wanted to create images that would evoke such response and tales. The camera gave me a feeling of empowerment, and freedom and a hidden voice.
My youth was spent with hours and days in the darkroom; developing images from negatives and watching the images come to life in the trays of clear and yellow liquids. I seriously would spend all night into morning not seeing any light except that of the safelight and enlarger, and the freezer that was sharing space in the darkroom. Yes, I would eat frozen desserts including cupcakes and pies, in addition to general entrees directly from freezer, with no preparation except for opening the box and peel away the plastic that sealed the containers. No utensils required. I was a heavy kid, go figure, and this was my escape, food and photography. I have tamed my appetite for food, but my appetite for good imagery, and great work ethics stands strong.
In college I majored in Photography/Graphic Design, but after 2 years, parental disapproval forced me to drop out of Photography or drop out of college. I finished my requirements on my own and went into business school. After
graduation, I went into Business and double majored in Marketing/Advertising and Graphic Design (Photography). My first job after graduation was in advertising sales, again based on parental pressure, and a way to step stone into Advertising. My father a successful salesman himself, unfortunately acquired ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) after 3 long and arduous years, my dad passed, he never got to do what he wanted, he was waiting for his “Golden Years”.
It took his illness, to realize that life is short, and if I wanted to accomplish my dream, now is the time to do it, no matter the cost. At the end of my life I don’t want to “wish I had…” I quit my advertising job, sold all my furniture to pay bills, and started shooting, and never looked back, except of course to get that shot.
Now 29 years later I have successfully work as a “people oriented” documentary and commercial photographer based in Chicago, all with continued client satisfaction. I am known for my ability to work with people, to capture the subject’s personality, and character through genuine moments and split second timing. “I make the oblique unique”.
I am fortunate that my photography includes the Corporate and Advertising communities, as well as Editorial, Celebrity, Travel and the Events markets. It allows me to travel and experience opportunities that I would not normally be prone to have. Traveling domestically and internationally, in and out of Fortune 500 companies, to working alongside that Ironworker, one day, to a pharmacist on another, and a long shore man on another.
Hard work, perseverance and listening is a key to my success.
Many of my most rewarding experiences is when I work with social service/non-profit agencies, that may not normally be able to afford professional photography services, a time when I can give back, and help some ones else’s dream come true, and feel better about themselves.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing worthwhile is easy. It take hard work, long hours and discipline.
It is always hard to work through the disappointments of not being awarded a job. You can (can’t) get them all but it still never gets easier.
In today’s market it is even tougher as clients, are short staffed and over worked and don’t have time to answer emails, open direct marketing collateral materials. There are more photographers out there now than ever before. Everyone has a camera and it just makes for a more competitive market.
Yes experience does offer value, but many times it is all budget driven.
One has to be creative 24/7 to get an opportunity to bid on a job, and then creatively make that bid come to fruition.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Steve Becker Photography – what should we know?
SB Media Inc., DBA: Steve Becker photography has been in business for 29 years. I am founder and Photographer.
My specialty is business to business, specializing in people and their work environment. I am a corporate photographer that enjoys a collaborative working environment with the client. I enjoy traveling, and experiencing the multitude of locations and all working to provide a common goal. Great Imagery.
Clarifying the objectives, and mapping out how to attain them, and push towards how can we do this, or that better with the use of imagery and design, and always being a complement to the written word. All while on budget, and within the time line.
The end product could be an Annual Report, a new or updated website, or marketing collateral materials. The images can include testimonials, corporate portraiture, or business or manufacturing lifestyle imagery.
I am known for my graphic nature in my images with great color and lines, I make the oblique unique.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Perseverance.
Adaptability
Instilling confidence with your clients.
Investment worthy.
Creative Collaboration with clients / creative team.
Good Listen skills
Finding unique angles for that image, where another may not see it.
Working on budget, and on time.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3810 North Claremont Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618 - Website: Stevebeckerphotography.com
- Phone: 312.286.5533
- Email: steve@stevebeckerphotography.com
- Instagram: stevebeckerphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Steve-Becker-Photography-139246971271
Photo Credit: Steve Becker photography
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