We recently connected with Chris LaBasco and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Chris, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?
I believe that self-care is an important part of wellness in staying productive and avoiding burnout. A main component of my self-care comes in the form of hiking and doing solo adventures in nature. As a landscape photographer, Im fortunate that what brings me peace and solace is also another great opportunity to get out there and shoot different locations. I’ve always found photography to be therapeutic, and although it can be fun in groups, I prefer solo adventures to refocus my mindset and take in the sounds and sights around me to revitalize, which brings me the inner peace necessary to be effective in my pursuits.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I grew up in the Bay Area of Northern California and gained a great appreciation of the outdoors from a young age thanks to my parents and our summer road trips in the family RV. I fell in love with nature, and it was this love that sparked my desire to hike and travel across the world capturing unique moments. My primary focus has been on landscape photography, but I have always had a particular fondness for sunrises. Photography has always been a way for me to remove myself from day-to-day stress and immerse in the world around me. Whether it’s in the heart of the city or in the middle of a national park, there is something soothing about looking through the lens of my camera and hearing the click of the shutter. Life is nothing without imagery!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
One quality that I think is imperative is grit; more specifically, the tenacity to push on despite elements, whether physical or mental, that try to get you to stop. Whether it’s not hitting the snooze button for a 3am wake-up call for that sunrise excursion or ignoring the little voice in your head that says “turnaround” when you’re facing an arduous hike with a pack full of gear to reach that perfect vista, there will always be hurdles to conquer. No matter the obstacles, I find the grit to persevere through adversity makes the result all the more memorable.
Another attribute that I have found has benefited me over my years as a photographer is my preparedness. Every shoot is different, but they all start the same way for me: on the computer. Often times my research will begin 6 months to a year before my trip, with most of the heavily lifting coming a month out, as that’s when the information would be the most fresh in my mind. Planning begins with choosing the most convenient accommodations and ends with creating a fluid itinerary based on sunrise and sunset times to maximize my time in the area. Despite the rigorous planning, Mother Nature has taught me that the best plans are often at the mercy of the elements.
One final area that has been impactful on my photography journey was one that I learned a few years in, and that’s to never delete any of your photographs. In the beginning, I was quite selective and overly critical of the photos I would take, which would result in me deleting any I deemed unworthy. It wasn’t until later that I realized that these photographs could be salvaged by implementing various editing techniques. Whether it was through black-and-white, or playful mix of black-and-white and saturated color, a creative editing technique can take an otherwise boring photograph and bring it to life, so NEVER delete any photographs that you deem unworthy.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Photography is a heavily saturated market, so going into it I knew it was an uphill battle, especially with the advent of AI. My goals were to achieve photographs that required commitment and dedication, as well as inspired those who saw them to want to get out and experience it themselves.
Of course, there were moments at vista points and other iconic locations that couldn’t be passed up, but, for the most part, I strive to dedicate myself to the craft. Whether that means driving for hours and sleeping in my car to reach the desired shooting location, or hiking a tortuous 3-mile trail during the predawn hours to arrive at my location for the perfect sunrise, the end results have always made the effort worthwhile.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chrislabascophotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: @chrislabasco
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/labascophotography
Image Credits
Chris LaBasco Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
