Meet Jim Crotty

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Crotty. 

Hi Jim, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Photography has been my primary route to connecting with the world and life around me since first picking up my first SLR camera in the 1970s and heading off into the woods behind my childhood home, near Dayton Ohio. In 2003 I established Picture Ohio LLC as a full-time endeavor, encompassing fine art print sales, stock licensing, workshops and lessons, and commercial photography assignments. In addition to my avocation with photography, I also teach college communications courses at both The Modern College of Design and at The University of Dayton, here in Ohio. I have a professional education and background in marketing communications, public relations, and human resources management. At my very core though is a passion for storytelling, education, and expression through art. My two daughters and my son keep me inspired and grounded, yoga and cycling keep me healthy, faith in the power of love and compassion keeps me going. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not smooth but definitely interesting! The struggles and challenges that immediately come to mind were the hard lessons learned from undervaluing myself as an artist and thus undervaluing my photography. There were many people who recognized my talent early on. Unfortunately, I operated under the approach of “do whatever it takes to get your work out there” mentality. Such an approach can easily backfire if you are giving away your work for next to nothing. Word gets around quick in a small market, and it takes years to overcome that kind of damage and build your value back to where it should have been in the first place. Today I enjoy the opportunity to pass along what I learned – painfully – to young artists just getting started. With art and photography never allow the local market to determine your value, especially today when there are so many opportunities available beyond geographic boundaries. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m known for my work with fine art nature and landscape subjects, but I have been shooting commercial and portrait subjects for nearly as long. I’m known to produce work that promotes a strong sense of calmness and peace. That’s important to me and what I do with my photography because it’s something that has always been a healing presence in my life, particularly during times when I was pursuing false paths. There was always a painful correction and there was always the healing process of capturing the peace in my imagery that I longed for within my soul. I’m told again and again that the peace – the calm beauty – is what people see when they view my images. Every artist is a storyteller and I like to believe that every one of my photographs tells the story of my own journey. 

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Perseverance, self-discipline. The drive to keep returning to my work, my photography. 

Pricing:

• Assignment and Portrait Photography based in half and full-day rates only.
• Non-exclusive stock image licensing from $75 to $500

Contact Info:

• Email: jim@jimcrotty.com
• Website: www.jimcrotty.com
• Instagram: jimcrottyphotog
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/jimcrottyphotography
• Twitter: jimcrotty
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI4HRVZjlxVPpfTMWDpeWxA
• Other: https://500px.com/p/jimcrotty