Introducing Cody Mulcahy

My name is Cody Mulcahy and I was born and raised in Tulsa, OK.  I’m 26 years of age and have been a photographer for 8 years.  I graduated from Jenks High School in 2002 where I began to study broadcast television.  I began my professional education at Tulsa Community College and then transferred to the University of Oklahoma where I received my B.A. in Film and Video Studies.  Although photography is my forte, I’m sort of a jack of all trades, offering freelance services as a camera operator, video editor, graphic designer, and web developer through my sole proprietorship, Middle Gray Studios http://middlegraystudios.com/.  I currently work as a video editor for Lauer Cinematography and still photographer for DCF Concerts.

1. Tell us how you found your way into photography.

My father was an avid hobbyist photographer, but I wasn’t interested in any of that at a young age.  My only concern at the time was MTV and skate videos.  At age 16, I learned composition from cinema greats like Stanley Kubrick, Akira Kurosawa, and Conrad L. Hall.  I began to realize many of the visual artists whose work I loved were at one point in their career still photographers.  In 2002, I took a black-and-white photography class at Tulsa Community College taught by former Tulsa World staff photographer, Ace Cuervo.  Ace taught me how to use my fathers old Minolta XG-M and Seagull 4A TLR, as well as, process film and develop prints.  What he didn’t teach me was style – something you need to find for yourself.  I began to get frustrated because I couldn’t decide what subject I wanted to focus my emphasis in; I loved it all.  In late 2005, a good friend of mine who was the Photo Editor for The Oklahoma Daily [University of Oklahoma student newspaper] asked if I wanted to be one of his staff photographers.  I agreed and began work only to soon discover I had cancer.  Rather than move back home, I continued classes and kept my job at the paper.  I decided that I wanted to live life to the fullest and what better way than to travel.  In between 6 months of rigorous treatment, I would go to as many concerts as I could sink my teeth into.  I used my press credentials to my advantage, getting me photo access to many shows in return for coverage in our publication.  It was during this time I had never felt more alive and came to the conclusion this was what I wanted to do professionally.

2. How do you classify yourself as a photographer?

I suppose I classify myself as a photographer who is young, motivated, and will stop at nothing to get the best image.  I’ve had to throw my ethical beliefs out the door at times, but in the end I was glad I did it.  You’ve gotta be brave if you want your pictures to stand out.  I’m always learning and would never consider myself to be the best at what I do.  If I am the best then who would I look up to for motivation?

3. Describe to us a typical week in your life.

My weekly routine as a photographer has changed a great deal in the past year due to the onset of parenthood.  Children change all aspects of your life.  I find myself spending more time trying to find a sitter than trying to prepare for a shoot.  Currently, I’m working as a video editor by day at Lauer Cinematography in Tulsa and as a live music photographer by night for DCF Concerts in Oklahoma City.  After the shows, I’ll post photos with a review on my blog through the company I founded in 2009, Middle Gray Studios.

4. What is  your favorite subject matter?

Music, music, and more music.  I never had the guts to get on stage and perform in front of people, so I did the next best thing.  Music motivates me in each day of my life, so taking pictures of live music is a win/win.  Even though shooting live music is spontaneous and difficult from a technical aspect, there is no other subject I feel more comfortable photographing.  I’ve been in photo pits for practically every genre of music and each is as invigorating as the next.

5. How do you approach a photo shoot?

I typically approach a shoot in the same manner regardless of subject.  Preparation is key.  I begin by making sure all my gear is charged and ready.  I will then research anything I can on the subject, including recent photos taken of the subject and/or venue.  Check the weather ahead of time.  Arrive early.  It’s always good practice to make sure I have important names and numbers of parties involved in the shoot.  I keep an open mind while shooting and be proactive.  I look for the shot that will not only look good on the page, but on a wall as well.

6. Can you share with us a memorable experience from your career? A special moment, or favorite shoot?

My favorite time to shoot is during DFest in Tulsa each summer.  I’ve worked for Tom, Angie and Co. for the past 4 years and can honestly say it gets better every year.  They give me complete artistic freedom, allowing me all-access so that I can get the best possible photos.  This is a rarity with live music, as you are typically shooting the first 3 songs only before you are escorted out of the photo pit.  With this freedom, I’ve been able to get some shots that set my work apart from the rest.  Not to mention, it’s always nice getting to schmooze with stars backstage and the networking is wonderful.

7. Do you think being from (or working in) Oklahoma has influenced your artistic vision? If so, how?

I think Oklahoma has powerful art scene, but typically isn’t considered an overflowing gene pool of artistry.  However,  I think that is beginning to change.  In 2009, acclaimed director Michael Winterbottom shot a feature film here and in the spring of 2010 the Coen Brothers are creating their adaptation of “True Grit”.  Our music scene is developing at a rapid pace.  You don’t have to be a country star to cut a record deal, artists like The Flaming Lips, All-American Rejects, Kings of Leon, David Cook, and Hinder all have Oklahoman roots.  When artists make it big, it puts Oklahoma on a global map.  The more good things that come out of Oklahoma, the less I have to travel, which just makes my life a heck of a lot less complicated.

8. How have you benefited from being part of a creative community (workplace, classroom, associations, etc.)

The great thing about the workplace and the classroom alike is that there are always deadlines to be met, which can keep someone like me on my toes.  I always feel that I do better quality of work under tight deadlines.  However, I do have to say the tool that has been the most helpful to me as a photographer is Flickr.  For those who don’t know, Flickr is an online community and image hosting site for photographers and photo enthusiasts.  Through posting images on Flickr, I’ve gotten paid for photos, job offers, and even had photos featured in SPIN Magazine and Last Call with Carson Daly.

9. What is your vision of the future of the industry?

I hate to say it, but the future of the industry in some ways frightens me.  In the past 10 years, practically every professional photographer has “gone digital”.  The print form of the newspaper industry is struggling.  By the time the paper hits newsstands it’s old news.  News is here and now, so if you don’t have the ability to capture something and put it on the web immediately, it is likely someone has beaten you to the punch.  The downside to all of this is that quality is thrown out the door in place for speed, which is a very troublesome thought for such a visual art form.

10. What is the vision of your future?

The vision of my future is simple.  Keep up to date with innovative techniques and software and I will be sitting good.  We live in a digital age where media travels as fast as it is captured.  If you get too comfortable with a certain method of workflow, you will eventually get left in the dust.  Although I would say my current goal is to work full-time as an event photographer for Getty Images.

11. Can you lend some advice to young photographers?

The best advice I have for someone interested in a career in photography is to first learn the technique.  Pick up an old manual camera, a light meter, some film and go shoot.  See how light responds to the film.  Understand the relationship of the film’s ISO/ASA, aperture, and shutter speed.  Once you have mastered how to use a camera manually, you can develop your creative vision from there.  For digital, shoot in Manual mode and a Raw format.  Learn Photoshop inside and out.  Find photographic techniques and ideas through books and the internet then go apply them in the field.  This is a technical trade and sitting around your house all day will get you nowhere.  Take a drive down a road you’ve never been on and see what you find.  Network and put your images out there.  One day the right person will see what you have to offer.

http://middlegraystudios.com/