Meet Bill McClintic | Photographer of music, nature, people, anything I think is interesting.

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

Hi Bill, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
The one thing that sticks out in my mind is the misconception of what photographers really do, and what it takes to build a name. It takes months and months of grinding it out and being there. By being there, I mean working your tail off. Networking, meeting people, but there is a fine line between getting known and being a pest. Go out and do what you can for a reasonable fee but know no one is getting rich overnight. It takes a few bucks to get started for equipment. It is a lot more than just grabbing a camera and clicking the shutter button. Depending on the circumstances there could be months of planning on getting the shots right. Weather issues, scheduling, all play a part sometimes. after the planning stages, then you have the actual session, or show to shoot. Once you are done with that part, then comes the editing portion of the project. You sometimes need to “touch up” photos. This is where some of the money comes into play. It isn’t just click on the picture like an iPhone. It takes programs like Adobe’s Lightroom and Photoshop to get some of the details right for professional looking pictures worthy of printing. Everyone has blemishes, acne, maybe a scratch on their face etc. You go through the images and remove obvious blemishes. Things like moles, scars etc I leave alone. They are what makes the person. It’s what makes them relatable to everyone else. If everyone “looked” perfect, that could and does create false expectations for younger boys and girls. It could lead to eating disorders, self image issues and things of that nature. So, I leave things like scars and moles alone. Editing can take days to finish and get done for a client. So, after you get the edits done, you send the images to management or their publicist, or even the artist themselves. Depending on the artist they may have a manager or publicist “okay” the shots for print or release to the public. Even with the amount of work that can go into getting the pictures and editing, I would not want to do anything else. Best advice I can give anyone. Do your best, even in not-so-good circumstances. Don’t complain, just suck it up and get the job done. Be better than yesterday, a better YOU. Don’t compare you to everyone else. We all have different styles, work on creating your own style. Make it stand out from the rest. Clients will notice that. It can be a VERY rewarding career. You may meet people you never imagined. You may also go out and photograph nothing but nature, animals, mountains or deserts. Light painting is another form of art. I love doing that as well. Find what you absolutely LOVE to photograph and make it your specialty. You’ll be glad you did. Wishing you all the very best, Bill McClintic

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 hear from a lot of people that my images truly capture emotion. My style is a tighter shot., Closeups. I want people to feel like they are actually there, in that moment I click the shutter. I want everyone to see the tears of the performer, the smiles, the glimmer in their eye. I want to catch that lightning bolt, or eagle swooping down for that elusive fish. The eyes of the grasshopper or praying mantis. Seeing things that you might not see just walking by. Getting where I am today took a lot of work. STAYING where I am takes even more. I was once told by a friend/boss, “It’s easy to get a job, and harder to keep it”. Truer words were never spoken. There is a difference between work and a job. Anyone can get a job, but not everyone knows how to really work. lessons I have learned, BE HUMBLE! Talk with other photographers, share tips. Help each other, give room in photo pits and be courteous. None of us are going get a million dollar shot, so give others a chance to earn their keep and remember, we are all in this together. The easier you make it for others, the easier you will have it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I know EVERYONE wants to see Broadway and do the honky Tonks. Kid Rocks bar is a very cool venue. I have a very good friend Fabiano Santos who manages Luke Bryan’s Bar along with Aldeans, and a few others. The food in those places is amazing! I would definitely take them to one or two for great dinners! Then I would take them to the off Broadway places for something that most people do not get to see or enjoy. The Basement East on Woodland Street has some of the coolest shows. There is ax throwing at BATL Ax Throwing. They have locations all over the country, I know of the one in Houston, Nashville and I believe there are some in Canada as well. One place I would NEED to take them to, my favorite place. The Local bar, owned by Geoff Reid. They have music everyday, some celebrities and a lot of local number one song writers play there. You never know who you’ll see! The food is great and the staff are instant friends! Come in a stranger and leave a Local!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I really need to thank first and foremost my wife Patti McClintic. She has been my cheerleader from day one. There are so many people to mention, Annette Gibbons, founded Think Country Music. She has been a fantastic friend and we are a hell of a team. I do almost all of the photography for her site in the US. Beverly Moser of B Noticed Public Relations. Bev has helped me with tips, and given me a lot of help along the way. Jason D Page of Light Painting Brushes. Jason has helped me dive into light painting, Google him and his work! Same with Kim Henry and Eric Pare’. Amazing artists!

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Twitter: @90eastphoto

Facebook: William McClintic

Image Credits
All image taken by Bill McClintic