" My parents made me the person I am today !"
Craig Harley - The Fit Photographer
September 14, 2017 by Marsha, Chief Excitement Officer - Sugarplum
Photos provided by Craig Harley
When Craig first started professional photography, he recalls that fitness athletes were the only ones that would shoot with him. Personally, I would have given up from the 100th flex of a well-toned muscle, but @harley_dread the sarcastic, yet whimsical creative genius behind @ch_photographyltd took a different route. I'll let him tell you.
Hi Craig !! Please introduce yourself...
Well, where do I start? I was born in St. Andrew and I grew up and still live in the community of Norman Garden aka Rockfort/ Wareka Hill. I attended Mavisville Prep, Camperdown High and I did some time at UCC. I'm the only child for my mom Sadie Bernard who was an Insurance Underwriter, last for my dad Coen Harley, an Entrepreneur, and Technician. He is no longer with us but he played a major part in my upbringing and the attitude I have towards work. My parents made me the person I am today. Growing up I was never really an active child, give me my tv or my game and I'm good for the day. However, with so many cousins around, you had to do stuff like running (which I would always win) or biking. I actually did some swimming, made the team AND singing back in prep school. Not until high school did I really get into sports, volleyball was my thing and I stuck with it until the eng of high school.
My mom loves taking photos, actually, my entire family does. But my mom gave me my first camera, a Konica and she taught me about composition. In those days it was nothing fancy like what we're using now. Back then you either get it right or you get knock. There after it was just a hobby for me until my friend Tricia Williamson of Panache Magazine saw some of my pics and said you need to come take some pictures for me which I did, and I enjoyed doing it. Fast forward, I eventuality gave up on working a 9-5 and here I am today.
SOLID advice.
I really loved the results of the shoot you did with Rasine for her birthday recently. You seem to have the ability to make your subjects relax and reveal a candid side to them through your photography. Do you have any tips to achieve this?
Wow, I guess I do huh. Tips to achieve this...hmmm. I really don't do anything outside the norm rather than just be myself and work off the clients' vibe. I watch the clients' body language, try to keep the mood upbeat so the client doesn't get bored. Dropping compliments work "a lot". Often times the client is pretty new at being in front of the camera and they need that confidence boost.
" The trick is being authentic. There's no need to put on, trust me clients will see right through it "
Seemed like you were headed to a career in volley ball or sports. Was there anything specific that you can remember that made you want to become a photographer?
Tell us about one of your most memorable shoots and what made this shoot stand out in your memory
I was hired for a wedding by a "friend of the bride" so I knew nothing about the bride, never met her prior plus it was pretty short-noticed. When the bride showed up at the church, I realized she was physically challenged and as you can imagine, she also hated taking pictures of herself. She was, however, determined to get married and have memories of the day so we had common ground. I spoke to her, got her comfortable with me, developed an instant friendship and helped with posing her throughout the day. At the end of the night, she pulled me aside and said..."Never you stop doing photography. With your personality you made me the happiest bride, Thank you.
Honestly, this pep talk surprised me but reinforced the idea that I was where I was supposed to be, doing what I'm supposed to do.
Just like that huh! What would be your advice to someone looking to do the same, leave their 9-5 and start something new?
First, evaluate that "something new" that it can earn enough income to sustain your needs. So either you're matching or surpassing your current income. THEN, also ensure you have the mental capacity to stay focused and committed when the steady income doesn't come because that's a surety. If you don't have that - STAY PUT !
I've followed your journey as a photographer on Instagram for a few months now...and now I realize I'm following your fitness journey. What sparked the change and what keeps you motivated.
When I first started shooting professionally, the fitness athletes where the only persons who would work with me. Over the years I have seen my body maintain a fluctuating pattern and this year I said "You know what I need to stop this, I'm getting older" Plus I figured I'm always here taking pictures so why not at least attempt competing with these guys who believed in me from the start and motivated me to be the "fit photographer"...
Come through abs, lol Awesome. Why do men turn everything into a competition ??
Ok so finally, Our Team Me campaign looks at the ways we show up for ourselves, our dreams our aspirations and our health on a daily basis. How do you actively practice #TeamMe
Right now for me #TeamMe means:
I go to bed early
I eat clean
I get my family involved to keep me on track
I try to do a light workout in the mornings and I show up to the gym every day dying or not and put in the work.
Works for me !!
Thank you, Craig, for being our first male interviewee in our Team Me series and all the very best in all your endeavours.
Stay connected with Craig on instagram @ch_photographyltd