Pay it Forward
“Pay it Forward” is a phrase that might sound familiar because it was the theme for a popular book and later adapted into a movie. The concept of Pay it Forward is not about repaying a good deed or a favor to the person who did something for you; it’s about paying it forward to others. It’s how I feel about teaching photography. I’ve received a lot of assistance and good will throughout my career that I can never repay. But I can give back; that’s why I think things have come full circle.
I graduated Providence College with a major in English and a concentration in photography. My dream was, you guessed it, to be a photojournalist. I loved writing, loved taking pictures. But I didn’t have any experience right out of school, so I worked for a magazine publisher as an administrative assistant. Then six years later, after gaining experience as a proofreader/copyeditor/production manager, I was hired as an editor at an international publishing company.
My commute was a long one – over an hour each way. One morning I found myself in the elevator at 6am, alone. Barely looking up, I pressed “2” and the shiny elevator doors closed in front of me. I leaned against the wall and saw my reflection; I looked like a zombie, a robot. It was an ordinary Monday morning. There wasn’t anything “wrong.” I loved the people I worked with – they were good friends. But something was missing. The work itself wasn’t interesting to me anymore and I didn’t want to be there.
What else was I going to do? I didn’t have a portfolio, or tear sheets, or any ideas on how to get back to my original plan – becoming a storyteller. That’s when you sit down and just start somewhere. Didn’t have a portfolio, but I could change that. I started freelancing as a photojournalist on weekends writing travel articles, lifestyle pieces, you name it. What would a magazine find interesting, different? Then it happened. A relative told me about a driving school course at Skip Barber Racing School. “It was the best gift, ever!” She said excitedly. She couldn’t tell me the details fast enough.
This was good stuff! I could write about safety benefits, the notion of “bad” female drivers (a guaranteed hot topic in a women’s magazine! :) ), and hot-looking car photos couldn’t hurt.
I pitched the idea and got the assignment, but had a slight problem. I didn’t know how to drive a stick. Never learned as a kid and was setting myself up to learn as an adult, in a class full of guys. What was I thinking!? (Here’s where the research part as a journalist is key.)
Good fortune did come my way because my teacher was Bruce MacInnes, legendary race car driver and instructor. He agreed to pre-class practice on double clutching – thank goodness! Bruce became a dear friend and mentor; his enthusiasm, positive energy, and passion for teaching were contagious.
“It’s pretty simple,” he’d say, smiling. “I see it like this. Every morning when I wake up I have two choices: I can be happy or I can be sad. I choose to be happy because I’m alive. I could have died so many times in a race car or in an Ultralight. I am so lucky! It just keeps things straight for me.”
Once I finished the driving school, the temptation to “go on” with the racing school was irresistible. I worked an angle to get published in a few more magazines – Smoke and Robb Report – and eventually found myself in a Formula Dodge open-wheel race car.
You know how hooked I got? I traded in my automatic transmission street car for a stick shift. :)
I was the only woman in my class and I didn’t want to be singled out as the “slow one.” You know, that car that everyone is passing. I was very motivated to practice, a lot.
Sitting behind the wheel of a race car means that you have to make split-second calculations. And sometimes, no matter how hard you concentrate, those calculations will result in misjudgments. One day, I miscalculated in a spectacular way. I did the ever-fateful pedal snap (when you lift off the gas too quickly) down the straightaway before Turn 1. I whipped around quicker than my eyeballs could follow. In a blink, I was looking up the downhill, got sideways across the track, and then skidded into the grass. I didn’t get hurt, but I did eat some dirt. It was an especially long walk back to pit lane. I couldn’t have felt more embarrassed, like a big ‘ol “L” was stuck to my forehead.
Bruce told me what I did wrong and was predictably encouraging. I nodded, then walked over and sat on the wall.
“You’re up, Annie,” Bruce shouted when they got my car ready.
I shook my head side to side. “Yeah… no freakin’ way,” I mumbled under my breath as he walked over.
“Nope, this isn’t for me, Teach,” I responded, resolutely. “I’m done.”
“Ahh… no you’re not. You are getting in that car again. Right now.” He looked at me with his piercing blue eyes. “Your pride’s a little hurt, but you’re not quitting. Get up…”
That was that. No discussion. I got back in the car. Talk about getting back on the horse again! Those three days changed my life. Dealing with failure, humility, self-confidence – tough stuff. I wanted to improve so I had to push myself, risk failure and learn from it. It’s as true for race car driving as it as about photography. I also saw how important it was for an instructor to believe in his students and not give up. My workshop students hear me say: “It’s not about the pictures you bring home, it’s about the learning process. It’s about getting out of your comfort zone.”
I loved being at the track so I signed up for more high-speed lapping days, more “seat time.” The only way I could afford it though was to publish more articles. A major incentive to keep writing and shooting! When I wasn’t driving, I’d walk around and photograph the instructors, drivers, cars, scenics of the track. Word spread and the next thing I know I became “the photographer.”
“Hey, I hear you’re a photographer. Tomorrow I need shots of me runnin’ Race 5 of the…”
I’d say “yes,” of course. Photographers are always counseled to say “yes” and then figure it out later, right? Feel the fear and do it anyway.
Gulp. Now the pressure was on to actually get professional looking shots of moving cars. I could make pretty pictures in the paddock area, portraits, but I had no real experience capturing moving cars. So I searched out any pro photographer at the track and asked for advice. It wasn’t easy at times navigating my way in a predominately male environment (like racing school), but I just had to prove that I was serious and committed to learning. Mastering the technical aspects of the camera set up was important, so I did a lot of experimenting. But I needed a mentor. Someone to take me beyond the instruction book. A local track photographer tolerated me asking questions, but I needed someone I could shadow.
Thanks to a friend of a friend, I not only got the assistance of a sports photographer, it was iconic Sports Illustrated photographer Heinz Kluetmeier. Heinz orchestrated a trip for me to assist legendary motorsports photographer George Tiedemann at the Indy 500. I could barely breathe from the excitement knowing I’d be at Indy, credentialed, with a camera.
George took me under his wing, as did the other Sports Illustrated photographers I met, and told me what books to buy, what to study. The guys filled me in on the “do’s and don’ts” of working in the pits and trackside. It was an extraordinary opportunity. They took me to Roberts camera store and told me which Nikon gear to buy. I put myself in debt, (wouldn’t be the first time for photography!) but I knew it would be temporary. I trusted my instincts that it was going to be OK. It was risky, maybe a little impulsive, but it turned out to be a worthwhile investment. I needed professional gear if I was going to shoot like a pro.
George and the other photographers were so generous with their time and instruction. They were the best in the business, and yet, they took the time to teach me.
One thing everyone agreed on was that there was no shortcut for practice. I was told to photograph anything that moved – including traffic! Dutifully, I picked a busy intersection near my house and practiced panning with traffic. I felt pretty self-conscious at first, but then just concentrated on what I was doing and not on people staring. :) There I was standing on the side of the road, swinging left to right trying to get wheel spin and the “nose-to-tail” of a car in the frame.
My print sales were slowly increasing at the track when I was introduced to the media liaison for Skip Barber Racing School (SBR) at the time, Rick Roso. After being persistent (maybe borderline stalker), Rick gave me assignment work for the pro series at SBR. He took a chance on me even though I didn’t have as much experience as the other photographers. That’s the whole Catch-22 thing with experience, right? Someone has to be willing to give you a chance (and possibly not deliver), so you can gain experience to ultimately move forward. And not only did Rick give me the chance to shoot, I watched him edit. Watching a good editor work through your take is an invaluable learning experience.
Slide from early coverage of Skip Barber Racing School
I continued to work at my publishing job and freelance for about two years. During that time, I met Mike Corrado, a Professional Markets Technical Representative for Nikon. We became friends and talked about cameras every once in awhile. Then one day I got the call.
“Hey, I think you should interview for a job here – it’s my old job,” said Mike. “You ask me more technical questions than anyone else and you actually read the instruction manual! You wanna be a photographer for real, right?” Mike was being promoted.
I didn’t fully process what he had said until I put down the phone. I read the quote (below) that I’d taped to my wall. I read it again, and again.
“…That the moment one definitely commits oneself then Providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
Begin it now.”
-Goethe
I interviewed several times with Bill Pekala, General Manager of Nikon Professional Services (NPS). I knew this was it. I wanted to work for Bill. I wanted to be involved in photography every day. He hired me and I began my training as a technical representative for Nikon @12 years ago. Bill has an impressive, far-reaching knowledge of photography that is unmatched – he’s been with Nikon for over 30 years. He’s widely respected in the photo industry and I can’t even begin to quantify all I’ve learned from him and my colleagues at Nikon here in the States, as well as abroad.
As a Professional Markets Technical Representative (PMTR), I’ve learned valuable information about the cameras, lenses, flashes, software, but I’ve learned so much more about becoming a better photographer technically and also creatively. I’ve been trained by the best there is. I’m privileged to work with an amazing group of talented men and women who are not only accomplished photographers, but also experienced, knowledgeable, dedicated educators.
You’ll see us behind the counter at a photo show, or answering questions during a workshop, or on the sidelines, or in a press center because our primary job is to support photographers – whether it’s answering technical questions, helping with loans or repairs, every day is different! Whether I’m explaining FP High-Speed Sync to a pro or helping a dad take better pictures of his son playing soccer, it’s all good :)
DLWS workshop with pal Moose Peterson, Killington, VT
Our customer base consists of a wide variety of photographers, including photojournalists, sports and nature photographers, commercial, industrial, military, and law enforcement. I’ve worked field events such as the Olympics (total of 3), World Cup, Kentucky Derby, Masters, World Athletics, the list goes on! I’ve had the honor of being flown onboard a US aircraft carrier (USS Harry S. Truman CVN 75) twice and shot off, plus photograph a space shuttle launch. Incredible experiences.
Synchronized swimming during 2000 Olympic Games, Sydney, Australia
I signed up to be a student in as many photography workshops as possible when I first started at Nikon. I was going to be working with the industry’s best and wanted to improve my own skills!
Light, Gesture, Color – Jay Maisel’s Workshop, Tuscany
I will always be humbled knowing I not only do what I love, I now teach what I love. Jay Maisel has been that example for me as a photographer and an instructor, and continues to be a source of inspiration.
I took one of Joe McNally’s lighting classes early on and learned that if you really want a photograph, you have to go for it…
Hopped on a stranger’s bike during Joe McNally’s Lighting Workshop, Rockport, Maine
Look behind you…This was a gift. Everyone else was shooting the warm-up of the horses on the track when I turned around.
NPS sponsors a wide range of workshops and events across the country, but it took all these years before I ended up at a Nikon sponsored motorsports event at my old track Labor Day weekend. I got to work with my mentor George Tiedemann after 15 years! And fate would have it that my friend Rick Roso (who works at Lime Rock Park) would be my contact once again.
“Ok. Be straight with me. I really sucked…! I can’t believe the stuff I turned in. I can’t believe you hired me!” I laughed, reminiscing with Rick about my early years at the track.
Rick laughed harder, “Well, you were OK. It took a little while. Then he paused. “You know. It wasn’t like that; it was really more than the pictures you were giving us. You had such enthusiasm and determination. You just had something. I knew you’d figure it out.” He gave me a chance, the “lucky break.”
Being at my old track, years later, was a blast because I got to shoot pictures, look at portfolios, listen, learn, and it was all a part of my day job. Thanks to Rick Dole, George Tiedemann, and Robert Laberge, all extremely talented, wonderful sports photographers, for a fantastic event and making my “homecoming” weekend so memorable.
Practicing panning during the Motorsports Photography Workshop at Lime Rock Park September 2010
More practice at 1/30th of a second
Photography has afforded me the opportunity to create, travel, meet interesting people and make lasting friendships. I am very fortunate. Now I’m often in the position where I’m able to “pay forward” the good will that was given to me. Whether it’s young photographers looking for advice and career direction, or looking at portfolios, I am happy to do so.
My travels include teaching week-long workshops, such as the Nikon D-SLR Class at Santa Fe Workshops.
And I am thrilled to be at the CreativeAsia conference for the first time next year in Malaysia!
The best of both worlds is teaching and traveling with my husband, the man I love and admire most, one of the most extraordinary photographers and educators, Joe McNally.
A BIG “thank you” to Scott Kelby for the invitation today and for all the support he and his team have given to photographers. Thanks for stopping by!!
You can find Anne here on Facebook
Anne,
Great post with lots of info! I can relate to your learning experience after the PSW workshop with Joe McNally and Moose. I learned so much! I took a jump/risk and agreed to photograph an expecting mother. Man, what was I thinking? This will force me to learn a new technique (or go down in flames).
Sounds like you are having fun and successful at what you are doing, the true American dream! Thanks for sharing!
Ken
Anne,
It’s really up-lifting and encouraging to see how one gets into such a competitive field.
Thanks for sharing your story, I really enjoyed it.
Jonathan
Great post Annie!
I enjoyed the sharing of how your passions drove you literally to your goals and success. This also explains Joe’s mention of the “NPS loaner delivery car”, I guess I know who drives that when you guys were out there! :)
Anne
The resounding theme of your post is the message so many of us need to hear. There are not short cuts. Hard work, lots of study, failure, challenges, and perseverance are the only formula for true success.
Thanks for this great piece.
Regards,
Dave
Inspiring post Anne! Your message and path into photography really resonated with me for some reason. Thanks for the much needed boost to pursue my passion.
Really great piece but truly speaks to how amazing Annie is. A great friend and much more like family, Annie defines hard work, great character and a strong will to learn this craft of photography. Something everyone should aspire to do… learn the craft.
Annie, you’re the best. I love you and everything you bring to the table. Even Joe. (-:
Thanks for a great article. Now don’t go commenting on my writing skills…
Hi Anne,
Many, many thanks for what I feel is one of the most inspiring guest blogs I have read here. As somebody already well-established in a career, hoping to make a transition to photography, your words really resonated with me, particularly this sentence, “…That the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.”
I am slowly realizing that my “hoping” to find a career in photography is much too passive and your blog has really hit that home for me. Thank you.
BTW, your writing skills are showing. :-)
Trev J.
lol @ Trevor, Yes Anne your “writing skills” did shine in this post!
I have to admit that out of all the camera reps that I have payed attention to, Nikon seems to have a lock on the best communicators, teachers, and story tellers in the world.
I loved and feel inspired by your story. Not only is it well written, but it also has a touch of ironic humor to it. I guess that humor helps with Joe ;-)
Thanks for sharing!
What a great post! Truly inspiring! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful story.
-Bob
Anne, What a great reminder of what move me into photography 21 years ago, thank you!
I will pay forward too :)
Anne, I enjoyed your story so much! I hopped onboard the moving freight car of photography after raising a large family and while it’s going much faster than I thought I’m hanging on. You have inspired me not to jump off until I’ve reached where I’m heading. Not sure where that is yet but I’ll know when I get there.
Thanks again! Kitty :)
Annie,
Thank you so much for publishing your story. The story about getting back in the car is so metaphoric and important to us in this “fragile” industry. People who are willing to take chances not only on themselves, but on others are the ones who really make the world turn.
You and Joe are really a power couple!
Thanks!
Jeff
Wonderful story. It all started in an elevator at six A.M. The human capacity for change will never diminish as long as we can envision an alternative outcome.
What’s next?
Wow Anne, what an inspiring post! You have rebuilt the drive I have needed! I have just retired and have been seriously taking photos for about five years, but never getting really serious until I joined NAPP about three years ago. Your post today has really got me thinking that I really need to revise my goals and take that next step! Thank you for your inspiration!
Scott, thank you for letting us get to know Anne and her story!
Dennis
Great Post Annie!
I think its great reading about how driven you were to achieve your goals and find your passions! I also now know who drives the “NPS loaner delivery car” when Joe was in Europe!
That quote is great, I’m putting it up myself. I started looking for it though and it seems that it’s by William Hutchinson Murray. http://german.about.com/library/blgermyth12.htm
Either way. Thanks for a great blog post. I’m just beginning with photography (i’m 37), and this will help keep me at it.
Anne,
Thank you for sharing this story. I find myself right here: “I didn’t have a portfolio, or tear sheets, or any ideas on how to get back to my original plan – becoming a storyteller. That’s when you sit down and just start somewhere. Didn’t have a portfolio, but I could change that. I started freelancing as a photojournalist on weekends writing travel articles, lifestyle pieces, you name it.”
I am curious to know how exactly you started freelancing: did you go out and shoot and then submit, or did you solicit projects and then shoot? How did you get these magazines to take a chance on you? What projects did you shoot/pitch? Did you cold call or work through contacts? Any details you could share about those first “cracks” you widened for yourself would be helpful to me and others at the starting line.
Thanks!
Hey David-
I wrote query letters to magazines (after I had researched content, including calling/writing to get specific contact names) with specific story ideas. Check out some books/websites that offer submission guidelines: Literary Market Place. I wrote LOTS of query letter and had LOTS of rejections! So it’s important not to get discouraged. I would start regionally first, local magazines, in your area so you can get some experience and tear sheets. A great idea and a well-written query letter are key. Thanks for the comment and hope that helps! Best of luck.
Anne
Yes, this is very helpful. Thank you for sharing!
This is one of the best Guest Blog posts yet. Great story!
Great story. I guess it shows that you never know where you’ll end up when you start something. I applaud your courage and willingness to take a risk.
Really enjoyed the story. It’s very inspiring.
Great photos and read. Love your tree and snow photo, what a quieting mood….
Anne… I’m in awe. That made my day! Clearly, you are very passionate, dedicated and extremely determine person. Skills I wish I had more of;) Sometimes we (I) think that photographers (<>) just get the best gigs. That’s not the case. It takes hard work, time and dedication. You’ve put in all of them and more.
I was particularly struck by this quote, “I felt pretty self-conscious at first, but then just concentrated on what I was doing and not on people staring.” As an introvert, I’m very self conscious about my self. I’m going to try what you did today and not let my self-conscious get in the way.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Awesome and inspiring post. I was lucky enough to attend the workshop at Lime Rock, and having NPS there put the event over the top. Thanks for sharing your story… I really like the idea of being bold enough to begin!
Thanks!
I’m speechless, I’m in tears. By far the most moving post I’ve ever read on ANYTHING! You have touched so many areas that I am aiming for that I feel very confidently now, I will reach my goals!!
Thank you!!
A great post from an even greater lady! I’m proud to say that I have the honor of working with Anne at Nikon and I can tell you whatever good things you may think of her, after reading this post, she so much more! She and Joe are very dear friends and I couldn’t say enough things about them both. But for today Joe, move over, this is Anne’s day. Anne is a terrific shooter and a very good tech rep, but an even nicer person. I never run into our customers that she has helped that I don’t hear great comments about how hard she works to help them. When you can count friends like Anne in your life, you’ve obviously gotten more than you deserve. Way to go Anne, great post………
Anne,
I’m proud of you and what you have accomplished. Great Blog – You make us all proud everyday.
Wow, you sure know how to tell a story Anne. Thank you for sharing!
Anne,
Great post and as a participant at the Lime Rock Workshop I can certainly attest that you are a great communicator and teacher. Your presence at the track was a major plus for the workshop. Also, I didn’t know that you had done “Skippy” school. I have attended them as well.
I never heard of you and almost read past your blog… then something told me to read it and that I probably would get inspired… I DID! You made me feel good and makes me want to hang in there with my photography and push myself even more. I’m saving every penny just to buy books and train myself as much as I can while giving my son the best college education. I copied the inspirational quote that you had taped to your wall and put it on mine. I too sleep, dream and want to do everything with my camera… so I know the feeling. Thanks for your blog!
No one come forward for me yet.
Just completed a Jay Maisel workshop at Maine Media Workshops. He must have loved your shot.
Dear Anne,
I just loved reading your blog! So inspirational and heartfelt by all it’s readers. No wonder your husband loves you so as referenced in his books and blog. Thank you for sharing your story and encouragement to pursue your dreams.
Very inspiring post. I can totally relate to your “elevator revelation.” Thank you so much for sharing and teaching!
Anne what a great story thanks for sharing with us!
That story resonates on so many levels.. totally inspiring for the day.. and what I love about the post is that it comes right when people (including myself, humbly) need it.
You show off your grace, wit, skill, and humility in one fell swoop… but what I love the most is the drive. The honest, pure, dont-rest-till-you-get-what-you-want kind of drive that makes the world want to bow in and help you get it.
Awesome job!! We need to hear more of these stories!
RC
Great Post!! SUPER! Thanks for the continuing inspiration and personal transparency. When I shook hands with Joe in Los Angeles last year I told him he is a smart businessman. Now I can add he is a very lucky/blessed guy.
Aren’t you glad you started with Nikon?!! Really.
Anne, you rock.
Seriously, this touched the hearts of a whole lot of us, and isn’t that what art is about, touching someone in a good way?
Thanks again,
God bless……..
I really appreciated the writing as much as the photography.
Wonderful story – how great to be doing something you love so much – and can continue to learn and be excited each day… that is the dream – Thank you so much for sharing this personal adventure!
Hello Anna
Your post was really very inspiring, to even a designer like my self. The risk and willingness you had to get to were you wanted to, is much respected. It is something everyone is capable of doing. You need to believe in your self and be passionate to what you enjoy doing, and your work will speak for it self.
Thank you for sharing your truly inspiring story
Couldn’t agree more with the range of sentiments above…and certainly the ones that state that I am one very, very lucky, guy. Honey, I still feel like that awkward geeky high school guy who asked the pretty girl to the prom and can’t believe she said yes. all my love….Joe
What a great and inspiring story.
Annie,
Great post. Anyone who can double clutch is tops in my book. Something to do with your left foot when driving. Just taughtmy 17 year old to drive my car, as they all have been standards, except for the SUV I had for a couple of years.
I think the comments and praise from the ones who work with you in the industry say it best. You are top notch. Joe definitely married up.
Bill Bogle, Jr.
Ms. Cahill,
Thank you for a very inspirational post. I am reading this at a time when I am questioning whether or not to pursue my original creative dream of photography after many years of “kind of doing it” at a small newspaper owned by my family. Maybe it is time to get back to that original passion and really start shooting (and driving a stick again :)).
Thank you so much Anne for sharing your inspirational story with us – it just goes to show genuine hard work, determination and positive belief will take you a long way. I love reading Joe’s blog too – you both share a lot in common with your words and actions.
Thanks again.
Annie,
Thank you! My favorite gem in this treasure chest of glittering insight is,”You had such enthusiasm and determination. You just had something. I knew you’d figure it out.” If there is a magic wand of success that’s got to be it.
My second favorite gem is, “I took one of Joe McNally’s lighting classes early on and learned that if you really want a photograph, you have to go for it…” I don’t know if that was intended as wry humor but it made me smile.
Note to Joe: Ya lucky son-of-a-gun, I’m beginning to understand your deep affection for this amazing lady.
Anne, you ROCK, just like Joe. Your post is inspiring, like this quote “The most important piece of equipment in your bag, is your attitude.”. =)
Thank you (and Joe)!
First, Thanks Scott for bringing in a first rate Blog.
Second, Annie–loved your story and your pics. Please put me on your mailing list or Facebook to know when your workshops or other events are scheduled. Keep up the good work. And btw–I love Joe too…
Annie,
Thank you for spending the time you did with me at LRP. Your desire to “pay forward” has been accomplished with me. I enjoyed the morning in the paddock with you. I never knew your back ground, but it seems to make sense now. My favorite photo from that workshop was the black car with the blue and white striped reflection on the finish making it look like an odd zebra. You saw it and started shooting and I followed suit. Your eye is good and I thank you for sharing your vision and knowledge. I hope our paths cross again in the future. I know who your husband is, but you’re no small shakes either! I wish you and your team continued success!
-Pat Delany (the big bald guy that knew your name)
If that is not an inspiring post, I don’t know what that is!! It is so good to read that when one is ready to put up hard work, at last (even it takes time), events will become favorable and the pieces will come into place.
It’s a reaaly nice message to remind us not to give up!
Thanks
Great guest post, Annie! I’m very happy that I get to work with you!
Great post !
Very inspiring.
THanks a lot for this.
You are awesome!