Today we’d like to introduce you to Kasey Mueller.
Kasey, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t taking pictures. My parents supported my passion from an early age; the walls of our family home were hung with lovely photos that they had taken in their travels- and I always aspired to take beautiful pictures- as they had. I was also lucky enough to spend a significant amount of my youth in and around Yosemite National Park, and I would frequently hang out in the Ansel Adam’s gallery absorbing his greatness- and analyzing his vision.
Fast forward to today- after years dark room time and experimenting with different photography genres – I found that, while I know it sounds corny, my main inspiration is that I enjoy the sports, athlete’s and I am driven to take pictures that live up to the quote: “a picture is worth a thousand words”. A photo that makes someone gasp or say “wow” is my vision quest.
When I am not working with a camera in my hand, I am having fun with a camera in my hand. Wildlife photography is another one of my passions. Getting up before dawn and searching for animals in their natural habitat is a rush- and similar to sports photography in some ways but very challenging in its unpredictability. One of my favorite experiences was a day when we searched for hours, and we didn’t see any animals. When we gave up and went home from hours of driving through the National Park, we found a Moose in our back yard and photographed her for hours.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
One of the fascinating things about being a sports photographer is that I am hunting to capture moments that you would otherwise miss because they happen so fast. The possibility of freezing action that results in incredible images is what I live for. Shooting sports is not simply about catching the impressive action of a moment, it’s also about conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the events.
I want you to “Relive the Insanity!” when you look at my sporting pictures. Did I successfully get the skill, challenge, thrill, blood sweat and tears of that split second?
What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
The world IS visual. Every person who has access to a mobile phone is a photographer. I love the images that I see. But, as a result of photographer saturation/competition, it has escalated the art of photography. Everyone is looking for stunning impactful images AND trying to be the one who has “the shot”. I love it when people come up to me to show me what they shot with their phones at a sporting event- which is fun because I am surrounded by people who share my passion- the world is full of photographers! Today’s best artists are doing what they have always done- eat, sleep, live and breathe their craft- experiment, innovate and invest. Many people ask, what makes my work different than yours? I am there early, and I stay late, I plan and strategize every shot, and then the luck kicks in. Luck is when preparation and opportunity meet. In sports photography that is the rule of law. Just a little secret for you- a lot of my best shots have happened by accident, but looking back, there are no accidents about being in the right place at the right time.
I have the luxury of traveling the nation and the world as a photographer. I LOVE the variety of people, sights, sounds and smells everywhere that I go. The visual variety from the woods of Florida, the rolling fields of Kentucky, the mountains of Montana, castles in England, to the streets of Chicago feeds my soul. However, the challenges of traveling with 78 pounds of camera equipment to any destination has presented me with some of the most challenging moments of my career- “No, I cannot, will not, check this bag- it has my life in it” meets with stunned amazement by airline employees around the world, some who are helpful, and some who try to wrestle it from my hands. Red eye flights, mapping the shots, literally running around the course with 41 pounds of equipment, editing late into the night, submitting, and doing it all again the next day makes my weekends similar to a marathon (with the sore muscles, and required) recovery period. I totally understand how Marathon runners are addicted to their sport, because I feel the same way about my art.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My main clients are several Equestrian Magazines called Heels Down, Sidelines and Eventing Nation. My work is also featured on the United States Equestrian Federation’s marketing materials, athlete’s web sites and the walls of their homes as fine art prints. Check out rareairphotos.com to see some of my work.
Contact Info:
- Address: Rare Air Photography
124 S. Loomis Street
Naperville, IL 60540 - Website: rareairphotos.com
- Phone: 6308884111
- Email: kasey@rareaireventingphotos.com
- Instagram: kaseycmueller
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rareaireventingphotos/?ref=bookmarks
- Twitter: @kaseycmueller
Image Credit:
Photo credit to Lindsay Berreth for the picture of me.
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