RPW Column: From Behind The Camera: A Conversation With Photographer Michael Boggs

Column By: DANIEL SANCHEZ / RPW – SANDY HOOK, KY – In auto racing, at any track, even the one right down the road from your house, there is a person who takes time out of their life and spends money out of their pocket to provide high quality photos for the races. These are memories captured in a still snapshot of time that last a lifetime.

Without a camera crew at the track, all we as racers have are stories. As a racing family we need to support those who support our community. I think I speak for many, if not all, photographers, when I say that they give up more time and money than many racers and fans realize.

I hope this article makes you think twice before cropping a logo or watermark out and going to Walmart to print them off instead of buying them directly from the photographer.

I had the chance to catch up with Michael Boggs of Michael Boggs Photography.

What is the average travel time between race tracks you’re taking photos of?
Answer – “I would say average travel time is about 2 hours each way so 4 hours round trip. I have traveled as far as 8 hours one way to get to just 1 race.”

What does it take to get credentials at events big and small?
Answer – “Usually I have to contact the race track within 7-14 days prior to the event asking the track about getting approved to take photos at that single event. Sometimes they approve and sometimes they disapprove. That could mean they reached their limit, or they are just unaware of who you are or not media affiliated with someone. That’s why it’s so important to not remove the watermark from photos or alter the photos after posted.”

 

What is the cost that goes into taking pictures?
Answer – “Well, lots of time that’s not accounted for like prior cleaning of equipment from the last race. Transferring the files from memory card to the computer then sorting through 100’s of images and delete the bad ones. Then transferring those images to a website or social media. Also, there is a lot of photos before the race gets started, also known as pit shots or behind the scene images. Next, you have during the event and after event photos to get. I spend personally an average of 8 to 10 hours per track, per day, getting images.”

How can customers order your pictures?
Answer – “Images can be purchased and viewed with ease by going to www.michaelboggsphotography.net”

Many other photographers have their own websites or use photo websites like www.smugmug.com. Some may only have social media. If you see the photographer at the track, go talk to them, I am sure they would be more than happy to tell you where to find photos of that event. Some may even go and get in certain areas of the track to capture the picture you’re looking for that may be used for window stickers, t-shirts, or anything you can dream up.

Thoughts and use of watermark?
Answer – “When I first got into photography back in May of 2019, I always said I didn’t want to be the guy that slaps a watermark across the whole photo to take away from the image. I would rather just place a smaller logo in the bottom corners of the pictures based on the photo. After a couple years my thoughts have changed, and I am now forced to place a large logo across the whole picture. When retail print shops are making more money than I am, then there is an issue. It’s not always about the money but as a photographer I have travel expenses that I need to hopefully try and get covered with each event and to recover those funds I need to sell images. Folks seem to just take photos from social media and crop the water mark off and get them printed by a nearby photo printer or send the digital image from social media to get merchandise made from it without supporting the photographer.”

How can this be fixed in your opinion?
Answer – “I think the only way to fix the problem is to limit the photos that are being posted on social media and if posted, the watermark will need to be enlarged across the photo and lower the resolution of the image. I believe that all photographers will need to get together and be on the same page for the problem to get fixed. If everyone isn’t working together then the issue will continue. Each photographer needs to take pride in their work and each one has the right to get credit and make some funds to continue. We are out thousands of dollars on equipment and at any given time I could have a rock go through my lens and camera. I personally stand in some sketchy places at a track to get the different image or THAT SHOT that people go “wow” over. We are getting pounded by dirt and rocks so that means my gear does too.”

Thank you for all of this great information Michael! Now, as a racer myself, I know racers spend a ton of money on their equipment as well, but everyone can see that. Not everyone notices the amount of time, money, and work that goes behind getting THAT SHOT and keeping our memories living for a lifetime. Next time you go to crop that watermark or logo off the picture and head down to Walmart, think about the person who took the picture and the time they put into it. Most photographers aren’t asking for much they’re just asking enough to be able to travel to the next race.