Today we’d like to introduce you to Zach Owens
Hi Zach, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started as a just a casual phone camera (Galaxy S7+) guy. My best friend is a racer and would often invite me out to races and events. I quickly fell in love with cars and found myself caring about my pictures. It clicked in me unlike anything else. I was 28 years old when I started. Kind of old considering my peers haha.
My journey is not a solo one though. I would probably not be here if not for my best friend.
My phone pics greatly impressed him. I thought he was being supportive and kind. He was serious, more serious than I anticipated. Enough that he sponsored me and bought me an actual camera. A Sony A6500 with a lens. He did that with the condition that I give him free photos. That $2000 investment changed my life.
“I am never gonna financially recover from this.” -Joe Exotic
He still gets free photos and I’ve now spent well into 5 figures on photography. So in reality I should be furious. But the experiences I’ve had and the people I’ve met are beyond anything I could have hoped for and worth every penny.
As to where I am now? I am incredibly hungry for photography still. I yearn for that perfect lighting just as I did when I started. I am lucky enough that I have surrounded myself with like minded creative people. The racetrack that is my second home has created a program that caters to an exclusive few photographers. This program has certainly helped me grow and been a wonderful little microcosm of creativity to encourage me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have been incredibly lucky. But that doesn’t mean it’s all been a bottomless glass of chocolate milk.
I was given some of my most important tools and entrusted with others that I cherish. That has probably altered my perspective by being privileged enough to be able to focus on just creativity and not have to worry so much about how I am going to pay for it. In the beginning I found myself having to learn a great deal in a short amount of time. I never felt adequate. It took years until I felt like I wasn’t an idiot. Like I wasn’t pretending anymore.
My struggles are mostly self created monsters. They chase me and bite at my heels when I feel stagnant. They cackle in my mind when I feel like I can’t perform to my own standards.
I am plagued by self doubt and often wonder if I should give up. I always have a fear of missing out on photoshoots and suffer from envy when I know I am missing out on something cool.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What I do is automotive and motorsports photography. I guess I specialize in what’s called multi segment racing. That is essentially three or four different types of racing jammed into one event. I find myself looking forward to photographing those every race season.
I am known by many people all over the country for still doing film in motorsports. It’s not really practical but I enjoy it for the look of the images and the novelty. Photographers and drivers love it too. It brings something intimate and personal to the interaction. Sometimes a photo feels more important because there are stakes. There are flaws. I can’t normally retake a film shot. The moments come and go far more swiftly than when I blast away on my digital cameras.
I am not the only person by any means doing film in motorsports or even in my local car scene. But I am working my butt off to be respected and well regarded in my little niche.
One thing I am very proud of is being recognized by my photography hero as: “The Film Guy”. Not everyone gets to have semi regular interaction with their heroes. So the fact that I left an impression enough times to even be recognized was always great feeling. Getting appreciation from my fellow photographers has always stood out to me more than anything else because they know the work that goes into my shots. So I’d say my most proud moments are when my peers tell me that I did something cool.
What does success mean to you?
Success is a tricky thing. It can have many different metrics and look different depending on one’s owns perspective.
I see success as the stable phenomenon where recognition, viability, sustainability and innovation are in equilibrium.
Am I in that mythical state as a creative person?
Nope.
Not even close. But I can image it. I have met a select few that have realized my dream and it continues to inspire me. I know that it is possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://VicioiusCorvusPhotography.com
- Instagram: @Vicious_Corvus_Photography
