Austin Walsh has created award-winning print and video content for global brands for more than a decade. His signature approach brings fresh energy; creating unique and current campaigns that resonate with today's audience. A master of light and composition, Austin makes the viewer feel like a witness inside a real-life situation. His work is genuine, passionate, and authentic.
How did you get into photography?
I was always interested in art, music, and design, and thought I wanted to be an architect when I grew up. When I realized I couldn’t draw very well, I decided I’d start making pictures with a camera rather than a pencil.
Your studio produces both print & video content – which do you prefer?
Honestly, both at the same time. There is something very gratifying about creating cohesive content that can span multiple outlets and deliverables for a brand.
Can you give us a rundown of the most recent campaign you worked on?
Last month I directed a spot that involved live ravens delivering little scrolls to locations all over Chicago. I’ve worked with dogs, cats, horses, kids…but never ravens. It involved months of prep with the trainers in LA, challenging logistics getting the birds to Chicago, and 3 crazy days of shooting at over 20 locations.
What do you think the next big advertising trend is going to be?
Test less, produce more. Over the past year or two, the most talked about pieces of creative were also the most relevant at that moment. Nike’s Kaepernick ad and Wendy’s twitter account are great examples of putting something out, in the moment, that creates a conversation. Now, the next piece of that is adding original content. The photograph that Nike used already existed. I’m excited to see how brands and agencies start to partner with artists and production companies to create high quality, original content, in “real-time". That or, the weed industry!
Who’s putting out the best creative work at the moment?
Anything Nike does is usually pretty amazing, especially on the global level.
What would your dream collaboration look like?
Transparency from the very start. There have been a couple of projects where I was brought on board at the very beginning and was able to help craft the creative. By being involved early, and knowing vague budget restrictions, I was able to collaborate with the creative team and come up with ideas that fit the brand, the deliverables, and the budget. So many times an idea will make its way through the agency and client approvals only to realize that they can’t afford it, or a different approach/technique could actually be better… and then you have to start a whole new conversation.
Who or what inspires you?
Nature. Something about water, mountains, sun, etc. reset my mind and get me ready to dive back into creating.
In a film about your life, who would you like to be played by?
Brad Pitt, that way my wife would dig it!
A piece of criticism you’ve received was...
I’ve been told that I think too much.
Sometimes I get in the weeds of how or why, this camera or that one, and just need to let go of all of that, and just make an awesome image or tell an awesome story.
A great piece of advice you received...
In regard to not winning a job: “It should f*ck up your breakfast, but don’t let it f*ck up your lunch.” In other words, you should care enough about the project, your treatment, and all of the effort you put forth that if you’re not selected, you’re upset… but then you must move on, be positive and ready for the next project.
Twitter handle: @ shootoutloud
Instagram: @ shootoutloud
www.austinwalsh.tv
