We had the good fortune of connecting with Alan Mercer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alan, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk taking has played an important and constant role in my career from day one. Virtually every move I made was a risk. I started my web site in 1997 with the hope that someone from Los Angeles would discover me and have me photograph them and that is what happened. That someone turned out to be Academy Award winning Director, James Moll. He then hired me to come to Los Angeles and photograph Steven Spielberg. I quite my day job in 1998 and supported myself with my earnings from photography since then. I moved to Los Angeles and risked losing everything.. I didn’t work much for the first year I was there. I traveled back and forth to Texas where I was still earning money as a photographer. Eventually I started earning more moeny in Los Angeles.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was an artist from day one. I would draw and draw as a child and spent the 1980’s doing gallery exhibits of my portraits. It was always difficult and I overcame those difficulties with strong friendships and faith in myself. In the early 1990’s I switched to the camera and started taking head shots. I noticed an immediate appreciation for what I did and an actual demand for my services. I did have to learn how to be a business person at that point to not get taken advantage of. One way I overcame challenges was to keep shooting all the time. You can’t help but improve the more you do something. I want the world to know that I love and cherish my profession. I so everything with love.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In Dallas I take out of town guests downtown to Dakota’s Steakhouse and the Press Box Grill or the Commissary for a grab and go meal. For drinks I would go to the Gallery Rooftop Lounge or the Mansion bar. I live n Fort Worth so it’s more likely we would go to the Post At River East and the Basement Lounge. Also the Water Gardens in Fort Worth is popular with everyone who visits.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents are the people who deserve the shout out. They were behind me 100% the whole time. There is no question that without their support I would never have accomplished everything I did. Of course I had many friends and associates who helped me all the time as well. No one can do anything like this alone. I am eternally grateful to all who have made the path a little easier and more fulfilling.

Website: www.alanmercer.com

Instagram: @amphotos11

Twitter: https://twitter.com/amphotos

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.mercer.75/

Image Credits
photo of Alan Mercer and Jan Strimple taken by Simon Flippin photo of model by Alan Mercer

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