Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick Krohn
Hi Patrick, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The first question most people ask me is why the name “One-Eyed Dog Studios.” I wanted to do something a little different than other photographers and not just use my own name. We had a very sweet, one-eyed rescue dog named Rogue. And I do not have what you would think of as a typical photo studio either. As a visual story teller of nature around Aiken, I think of all the locations I visit and enjoy – even my front yard – as one of my living studios.
But this all actually started long before there was a one-eyed dog. Since I was in elementary school I have been attracted to photography. However, I really fell in love with the medium when I was sixteen and living in New Zealand during part of high school. A friend lent me his 35mm camera for taking photos around school and town.
After moving back to the USA and graduating HS, I applied to a college in California, where I started studying art. It didn’t take long for my photography teacher and me to realize that my interest was more in photojournalism. I then transferred to the University of Missouri, where I earned my photojournalism degree.
My first two jobs were with small newspapers out West in Utah and Montana. I was given a lot of freedom on how to photograph. During this time, I was also lucky enough to do a few freelance assignments for the likes of The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, Forbes, and Business Week. In the late 1990’s I moved to Augusta, GA, to be the photo editor of the newspaper there.
As I started to see the newspaper business shrink, I made the hard decision in 2000 to leave photography and go into advertising. This is also when I moved to Aiken, SC, with my family, and we fell in love with the town. I did a variety of different sales jobs for twelve years and earned my MBA. I am currently a pricing analyst for Hubbell Utility Solutions here in Aiken.
During all this time, I still kept doing a little bit of photography. Though, it wasn’t until 2019 that I made the commitment to pushed myself to photograph almost every day after buying my first digital camera a few years earlier. I still have my full-time pricing job, so this means finding things on my way to and from the office or even in my front yard.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh, yes there have been struggles. The first was going against the grain of what my parents – and often I – thought would be better/more typical career paths such as engineering or business. Though, my parents and the rest of my family have always been great supporters. Photography is still not a usual or easy way to make a living. And, by keeping with it, I was able to demonstrate my commitment and passion and my growing abilities as a photographer. The next big struggle was leaving photography as newspapers started to fold. I had to adjust to being an introvert in the very extroverted field of sales. It was during this time I learned that my ability to ask revealing questions and the sincere desire to get to know and help my clients served me very well in 12 years of sales.
Getting back into photography in 2019 has created a new set of challenges. Since I am doing this parttime, finding the time and energy to chase my new vision can be very difficult. Early on I made the commitment to carry my camera with me and endeavor to photograph almost every day. And those days I am not able to, I still do something photographic – such as edit and post work online and study other photographers. The on-going struggle – like all artists – is to find a home for my art. I have now found a very good home with the Aiken Artist Guild and the Aiken Center for the Arts. Where I display my photos and teach photography classes.
My ability to continue to move forward and a willingness to try new approaches to old problems, is one of the best ways I have been able to turn my struggles into valuable learning experiences. And as I keep trying to tell myself, there is no failure, it’s all just information to learn from.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
One of the ways I keep learning and growing is by photographing as much as I can, even on my way to work. (My friends often comment that I’m the most prolific photographer they know.) As I strive to be a visual storyteller of nature in South Carolina, I work more with intimate landscapes.
As I have grown as an artist, I realize more and more, only I can create the photos I do My more than 40 years of experience in photography, as well as all my other life experiences, have helped shape my style and approach that is unique to me. My daily practice has given me the skills and confidence to walk into any situation, and find an interesting photo. And by doing this so much over time, I have produced portfolio worthy – and maybe even iconic – images of Aiken.
What I am most proud of is my ability to find something beautiful in places that others may overlook or take for granted. By approaching my art this way, I am able to showcase my lovely town of Aiken by photographing the not so common places, and the common places in a not-so-typical way.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Getting out in nature and being able to find small beautiful things always makes me happy. Stopping by the woods or even on the side of the road while commuting, helps clear my head and reminds me to look for the small things that make life so wonderful. And it’s extra special if I can create a beautiful photo that I can share with others.
Pricing:
- I work with each client for their home or office individually
- I learn about their unique situation
- We then work to find the right image, size and media to be displayed my work
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.one-eyeddogstudios.com/
- Instagram: @oneeyeddogstudios
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.krohn.33/
