Member of the Month April 2021 Keith Birmingham
What is your current position and who is your employer?
Currently I am a staff photographer with the Southern California News Group which consists of 11 newspapers, some of which are the Pasadena Star-News, LA Daily News, and OC Register. I have been lucky enough to work with some great photographers, writers and editors and still do.
How long have you been a photojournalist and how did you get started?
It took me a few years to discover my passion for photography and decide it was what I wanted to make a career out of it. I started with a photography course in high school, But I took a couple of other paths before I found photography – or should I say photography found me. A local professor/newspaper advisor John Francis encouraged me to be a member of the newspaper staff at a local junior college. My work from shooting a brush fire near the college found its way to the pages of the San Gabriel Valley Tribune and I was encouraged by that professor to apply at the local paper. I am grateful to Gary Gossett and Mike Haering who took a chance on me early on and, for that, I am grateful.
When I began my career in the early 90s, Gary gave the opportunity to work as a part time or full time, I would have been crazy if I hadn’t chosen full time, it has allowed me to cover momentous moments in history to the mundane that are the true mark of history with the same zeal. Each photo assignment challenged me in different ways whether it was a building mug to Game 7 of the World Series, each has its own challenges. I was mentored by some of the best in the area and am grateful for the opportunities that they afforded me and the having to learn some things “the hard way” as my career has gone along.
I still remember my first official day on the job, I had an assignment at Inter Community Hospital, which isn’t even around anymore… but I sure remember the journey to get there, anything that could go wrong seemed to. It was a hot day and of course I dressed to impress, a white dress shirt and sport coat, imagine us wearing that now. I left early to make sure that I would be on time, my day was compounded by a flat tire that I got on the way to my assignment. Not only did I have to change the tire in a dress shirt, but there was no pay phone nearby to call the hospital to tell them that I would be late. Yes, for those of you wondering, there were no cell phones, just a roll of quarters and a pager. Once I got to a phone, I contacted the hospital and they put at ease as they were gracious and understanding. In contrast, my second assignment, the next day at the Los Angeles Coliseum to cover the Raiders as they faced the Denver Broncos with no hiccups.
Please share some career highlights:
I have been fortunate enough to cover many memorable moments that have happened in Southern California and beyond. From the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, World Series and the Rose Bowl Game. But these sporting events don’t define one’s career, I found that I have been able to make memorable photos in prep sports. These are student athletes, that are playing for the love of the game. They define themselves by the sound of the whistle or the sound of the buzzer. They live for these moments and subsequently go through a range of emotions. I have always found it challenging to cover these students with the grace and understanding of someone who once stood in their shoes. Their story deserves to be told just as that professional athlete.
Some of the more fun assignments have included the Men’s and Women’s World Cup Soccer tournaments and the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita. The best thing about all these different events and assignments over the years have been the many people I have been honored to meet and, of course, the outstanding and talented fellow photographers I have be able to work with and can now call friends.
Throughout the years certain moments have stuck with me, like when I was on-scene to cover the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. As well as the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi in 2015 and the ongoing recovery of the area 10 years later.
What advice do you have for students and those hoping to become photojournalists?
To those hoping to become a photojournalist take advantages of the opportunities that you have. These may include spending the time to shoot landscapes on a hike to taking portraits of family members. Put yourself out there, practice things you are not so comfortable with and ask questions, reach out. Take advantage of workshops, use these to improve your skills, try something new, and make connections. Take the opportunity to attend a workshop, there are some great ones out there. If you love sports look at the Sports Shooter Academy and if you enjoy visual storytelling or documentary style there is the Missouri Photo Workshop, just to name a few. No matter how uncomfortable you are at first just know that through practice, skill, and determination you can succeed. Lastly, don’t get caught up on your gear, it isn’t the gear that makes the photographer. Use what you have, learn the limitations and what you want in your gear, then let your vision show through.
What is something you know now that you wish someone had told you when you were starting out?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If there is a photographer whose work you admire, find a way to reach out to them. Most of us will gladly take the time to answer an e-mail or answer a phone call. Offer to take them to lunch. Network, network, network. I wish I had done more of that when I started out.
Perhaps the most important thing, and this can’t be repeated enough, is backgrounds, backgrounds, backgrounds. Watch your backgrounds. They can make or break a photo. Oh, and try not to go into credit card debt.
What is your favorite part of being a PPAGLA member?
My favorite part of being a PPAGLA member is being part of an organization that encourages, honors and rewards the work of photographers. It provides students and professionals alike the ability to make new friends, while staying in touch with so many old ones. I would like to thank my friends, and fellow photographers that have helped and challenged me along the way, there are so many of you it would take pages to thank properly.
Finally, I would like to think my wife Libby who without her this wouldn’t be possible.
Click the links to connect with Keith
Web Site: http://keithbirmingham.com
Instagram: photowkb
Twitter: photowkb
Email: photo@keithbirmingham.com
