Today we’d like to introduce you to David Kindler.
David, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I moved to Chicago to work as a community organizer with the same people who trained Barack Obama. After eight years of organizing, I worked for a small public relations firm that specialized in not-for-profits and community development organizations. I left there when my first child was born and soon after began freelancing as a writer. That business grew and I began offering photography services to my clients for their annual reports and events. Eventually photography became the largest portion of my business. I specialize in event photography with a special love of music photography. I had the good fortune to become one of the house shooters for Riot Fest and have shot behind the scenes for them for since 2014.
Has it been a smooth road?
Freelancing comes with a steep learning curve. Whether you are a freelance writer, photographer, or other creative, there are a whole set of common and industry-specific things you need to learn. Pricing is one of the common concerns. Potential clients who have always worked under a corporate safety net of regular paychecks, health coverage and traditional workplace benefits often don’t understand a freelancer’s pricing.
When you price a job, it covers more than the time you spend on site. You’re covering a portion of all of your other expenses. For professional photographers, that usually involves thousands of dollars of gear and technology. I recently traveled to a weekend shoot with $30,000 of my own and rented gear. On top of that, I have all of the usual office expenses, and any money saved for retirement comes 100% from me.
It can be frustrating when potential clients do not understand why you can’t work for free or steeply discounted rates while they are being paid their full salary every two weeks. It is equally frustrating when you see people giving their work away for free. When you don’t value your own time and talent, it reinforces the misconception that creative work has no value.
Once you get to a point where you value your time and talent enough to demand fair compensation, you wish everyone else could get there too, quickly!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with DTKindler Photography – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
DTKindler Photography is primarily an event photography business. I shoot corporate meetings, gala fundraisers, sponsored events for non-profits, cultural events, and when I’m lucky, live music. I’ve worked with some great meeting planners who consistently introduce me to new clients and use me as their go-to guy. I’ve enjoyed my recent work with the Chicago Humanities Fest which has allowed me to photograph an array of fascinating speakers with deep insights into current events. I’ve also loved shooting for Riot Fest. As a staff photographer, I try to use my backstage access to produce images that other people shooting the fest don’t have access to. I’m a huge music fan, so I’m looking for thrilling moments that capture the excitement of a festival. I also love shooting the People of Riot Fest because they are such a diverse and friendly lot.
What I am known for is capturing moments. There is a difference between a technically sound image of a band on stage – lighting is good, the frame is in focus, etc.- and an image that captures interaction, energy, and drama. I don’t always get it, but I’m always looking for it. It helps never to be satisfied. The worst photographers I know are the ones who think they have it all figured out. They usually suck and don’t even know it. I try to stay in learning mode and to never deceive myself about my talent or skill. There is always way more to learn that what you might have under your control. Every job and every moment is a new challenge.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love Chicago. I love how much it is a small town. People are connected in so many ways. I also love how little patience this city has for posers. In Chicago, you either deliver or get crushed. Some towns run on BS, but Chicago works hard. Though it is far from being class free, there is very little tolerance for anyone who thinks they are too good for the little guys. There is a lot of respect for work, whether it is on a construction site or in a hockey arena. We still love hard workers and grinders.
I am constantly disappointed in how often that same spirit goes silent about the daily lives lost to gun violence, and even before that to ineffective schools, bad policies, and unaddressed inequality. I work in a few of the neighborhoods hit hardest by gun violence. I am constantly amazed at the resilience and determination of the young people who live there. They have the will to change the destiny of their neighborhoods but need the rest of Chicago to support them in overcoming decades of cumulative neglect.
Loving Chicago requires you to feel some pain.
Contact Info:
- Website: dtkindlerphoto.com
- Email: dtk@dtkindlerphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dtkindlerphoto/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DTKindlerPhotography/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/dtkindlerphoto
Image Credit:
DTKindler Photography
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