Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Filer.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
I spent much of my life running an insurance business in Miami, Florida, which did not leave much time to get outside. In 2007, I began a transition to landscape and wildlife photography. For me, there is no better place to be than on a beach shooting the sunrise or on a remote road photographing mountains or canyons. I have been fortunate to be able to travel to 23 states in the U.S. and to 8 other countries in pursuit of capturing amazing images. From the northern islands of Norway to Antarctica, I have experienced many things I will never forget. Like many other landscape photographers, I have spent time in the western part of the U.S. and Canada, exploring the Rocky Mountains, the Desert Southwest, the Pacific Coast, and more. However, growing up in the Southeastern U.S., I have always had an affinity for Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. The Smoky Mountains are always a pleasure to roam and photograph, but the South Carolina coast and low country with its oak trees have drawn me back there again and again. From Botany Bay on Edisto Island to Folly Island to Myrtle Beach, there is no end to places to explore and experience. I will continue to return to the area again and again.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Like any other craft, there is a learning curve with nature photography. In the beginning, much of what I did could have been better. In addition to learning camera operation, which is more involved than one might think, there were all the issues of where to go and when was the best time to be there. There is no book with this information, so there has been a lot of trial and error. The weather can turn against you for days, leaving you with very little to photograph. I have gotten lost, got stuck in deep snow, had flat tires, and had cameras that have self-destructed. I have been on the coast at low tide when I should have been there at high tide. Mountain flowers have decided to bloom on a different schedule than normal. No matter what appears to be going wrong, I am always happy to be there and make the most of it. No matter what Mother Nature throws at me, I have never come away empty-handed.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I presently specialize in landscape photography. My work is displayed on my website at www.josephfiler.com and is available for purchase there. I am proud of the quality of my work, as I only produce photographs that are taken in the best light and conditions possible. If I am in an area for ten days, I hope to come away with 10 good images. What sets me apart from just about anyone else is the wide variety of locations I have been able to photograph. I honestly don’t know of another landscape photographer with the range of work I do.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and are any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I stayed home in 2020 from March through July and began traveling again in August of that year. There were some minor inconveniences with masks required in certain places, but it did not hold me back. Most of the time, when photographing, I am outside and not around other people. About the same time I got back out, many other people really wanted to get outside. It has resulted in some huge crowds and popular places like National Parks, which is continuing. It’s great to see people getting outside and enjoying what our country offers. It requires more planning on my part as lodging has become harder to get and much more expensive.
Pricing:
- Fujicolor Pearl Prints – Starting at $295
- Chromaluxe Metal Prints – Starting at $595
- TruLife Acrylic Prints – Starting at $995
Contact Info:
- Website: www.josephfiler.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josephfiler/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JosephFilerPhotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-c-filer-photography/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/josephcfiler
Image Credits
All photographs submitted were taken by Joseph C Filer
