With the Chesapeake as the backdrop...
When Southern Maryland photographer Brian Haislip realized some in his community could not afford professional photography services, he started a nonprofit foundation as a way for photographers in the area to feature their work while raising money for the community. Here he shares in his own words his journey with photography using the Chesapeake as a backdrop.
What prompted your interest in photography?
Before becoming a professional photographer, I would use my cellphone to take landscape photos and post them to social media. I would chase storms, sunsets, sunrises, and basically anything that moved. Over time, I began to realize my photos brought joy to others and helped brighten their day. It was a natural next step to combine it with my interest in helping others in my community.
What is at the heart of your work?
It’s the desire to help others. You can be highly creative with a camera, but most photography services are unaffordable to the average person. Once I realized that, I set off on a journey to becoming a better photographer so that I could provide free to low-cost photography services to those who otherwise were not able to afford them.
How has your desire to help others shaped your work?
I launched a project to instruct kids after school about photography and help others purchase a beginner camera if they could not afford one. From there, I created a nonprofit organization—Full Frame Foundation—a community of photographers working to raise money and create similar programs outside the Southern Maryland area. In two short years, we raised $14,000 for the community. We are thrilled that Hideaway in Hays Beach, a boutique, waterside cottage rental and local business, will fund the expansion of the program.
How does the Chesapeake inspire your work?
I am originally from Eastern North Carolina, but living in Southern Maryland has given me the opportunity to photograph an endless number of scenes on the Chesapeake Bay. It is hard to define precisely what inspires me; it is not one thing. I am especially drawn to the power and beauty of storms and the peacefulness of the rising and falling sun on the water.
How would you describe your work?
When people ask what type of photography I enjoy, I usually respond with, “the craziest stuff you can think of.” I take photos of things you see every day but try to capture it in an unusual way. Most of my photos are considered long exposure photography, which is a process of recording extended periods of time one second or longer in a single frame. This works best with star trails, lightning strikes, water movements, or virtually anything with motion.
Do you have a favorite spot to shoot from?
Yes, just a one-minute walk from my house in Lexington Park in the heart of St. Mary’s County. Our neighborhood waterfront area has a direct view of the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay from the Patuxent River with Solomons Island and the Thomas Johnson Bridge in sight. It is a perfect spot to photograph the sunrise coming up over the Bay and the massive storms passing over Calvert County.
What has most captured your attention?
Besides building the foundation, I am completely fascinated with light painting. It is a technique that involves introducing a light source, for example a sparkler, flashlight, or glow stick, into a dark photograph with an open shutter on the camera. With the Chesapeake as the backdrop, you can get some amazing images.
To view Brian’s work, go to brianhaislipphotography.com or his Facebook page @Brian Haislip Photography, or email him.
About the interviewer: Gwen Mayes is a writer, life coach, workshop host, and docent for the Annapolis Maritime Museum and Park. Find her at anchortoself.com.
