In our third installment, okiecreative.com is pleased to present Scott Raffe, a fine art and commercial photographer based in Tulsa, OK. He documents old world circuses, and vintage baseball leagues. He’s covered humanitarian efforts in Africa. He’s criss-crossed the state for years, unearthing a quirkier side of Oklahoma, which resulted in the book “Oklahoma: A Portrait of America” (buy it here or here) All the while, Raffe takes on projects with his commercial clientele around the world. Without further adieu…

Copyright 2009, Raffe Photography, Inc.

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

I grew up in Chicago and started taking photographs of baseball players at Wrigley Field while I waited for their autographs. The players would pose for me and I would get great close-up portraits. My mom saw how excited I was when I got the photos developed and then signed me up for a photo class through the park district. That was when I was in 8th grade and have wanted to be a photographer ever since. I took photo classes all through high school and college. I thought I was going to be a starving artist as late as a junior in college (Southern Illinois University at Carbondale). It was then that I was introduced to the commercial classes and saw that I can make a living photographing people.

Copyright 2009, Raffe Photography, Inc.

I relocated to Tulsa in July,  2002. Before that, I had studios in Chicago, St. Louis and Denver. I assisted photographers for 1 1/2 years in Chicago before opening up my  own studio. This month is 22 years that I have been shooting jobs on my own. Almost 24 years in the business, including assisting.

You can see samples of my photographs on my website:
http://www.raffephoto.com

Copyright 2009, Raffe Photography, Inc.

2. How do you classify yourself as a photographer?

I am a commercial and fine art photographer specializing in photographing people. I feel lucky everyday that I get to do what I love.

Copyright 2009, Raffe Photography, Inc.

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

It is a mix of shooting commercial assignments for advertising agencies, design firms, corporations and magazines. When I am not shooting commercial jobs, I work on my personal fine art work. Time must also be made to handle the bookkeeping and the promoting of my photographs and business.

Copyright 2009, Raffe Photography, Inc.

4. What is  your favorite subject matter?

I have been photographing circuses since 1996. I am currently documenting 2 circuses- Circus Flora & Zoppe-An Italian Family Circus. Circus Flora is a one-ring, European style circus that features The Flying Wallendas. Zoppe-An Italian Family Circus is an Italian circus that goes back to 1842 and is also one-ring. Both circuses are based on performance and art and feels  and looks like a circus from 100 years ago. Each year I use a different camera or film to push myself creatively, but where each of the years still hold together as a group.

Copyright 2009, Raffe Photography, Inc.

5. How do you approach a photo shoot?

Being passionate, sincere, friendly and as professional as possible.

Copyright 2009, Raffe Photography, Inc.

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

It is always special when I can use my photography for good causes. Some of the charity work that I have done have been for:
1. Animal shelters posters.
2. Visually impaired children brochures.
3. Center For Individuals With Physical Challenges
4. Noah Roberts’ Better Than You Found It (BTYFI, pronounced “Beautify”)-photos in South Africa to bring awareness to poverty.
5. Children’s abuse posters.
6. Women’s abuse posters.

Copyright 2009, Raffe Photography, Inc.

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

Meeting and working with Libby Bender & Carl Brune has influenced me artistically. At the time, Libby was the Creative Director at Littlefield. She currently has her own brand consulting business called Libby & Company. Carl specializes in designing books.

Libby approached me to do a personal project as a creative outlet for both of us. I would do photos and she would do the writing. We started out documenting the ‘89 Land Run celebration in Guthrie, OK in April 2006. Next was Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show that summer. After those shoots, we knew we were onto something special and it turned out to be a book titled “Oklahoma–A Portrait Of America”.

Libby, Carl and I collaborated throughout the entire two-year process, which was an awesome creative and learning experience. By self publishing, we made our own rules and did the book the way that we wanted to. There are about 350 photographs taken throughout the state in “Oklahoma–A Portrait Of America”. You can find the book at Dwelling Spaces, Ida Red’s, Borders, Barnes & Noble, Full Circle, Steve’s and most other major booksellers throughout Oklahoma, and at amazon.com. (we say buy it here or here)

Copyright 2009, Raffe Photography, Inc.

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

In addition to the creative community such as Libby & Carl, there are many other talented art directors and designers based in Tulsa. It is awesome to have them as friends and people that I can show work to and get great critique. It is also great to be able to see the work that they are doing, too.

The Art Directors Club Of Tulsa is a great association that brings in talented people from around the country each month. ADCT is a great way to stay in touch with people in town and be exposed to other people’s work from around the country.

Copyright 2009, Raffe Photography, Inc.

9. What is the vision of your future?

Keep doing what I have been doing, mixing up the commercial and fine art.

I have had my photos exhibited in  galleries, and would like to see this increase around the country in the future. I had 4 of my Circus Flora photos exhibited in a group show titled “At The Circus” at the Paul Kopeikin Gallery in Los Angeles. Included in this show was work by Diane Arbus, Mary Ellen Mark, Weegee, August Sander, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Bruce Davidson and others.

Copyright 2009, Raffe Photography, Inc.

10. Can you lend some advice to young photographers?

Many people think they are photographers, especially in the digital age. There is a big difference between being a photographer and someone who can take pictures. You have to have a vision and know how to translate it photographically and emotionally.

I take my own advice and never look at what the current trend is or what certain photographers are doing. Never worry about competition. Compete with yourself to keep pushing to do the best photography that you can do. Have a passion for what you do, photograph what you want to and the way that you want to. Do it to please yourself first. Then hope that others like what you do.

Copyright 2009, Raffe Photography, Inc.