Cheesy Star Trek theme songs aside, it hasn’t been an easy road as a freelancer. Automotive photographers are everywhere nowadays, and with DSLR’s becoming cheaper and cheaper each and every passing sales quarter don’t expect the count to go down. I personally don’t think its an entirely bad thing, however it makes it harder for seasoned shooters to become noticed anywhere other than their local car forums. Automotive photography got me into the business of wedding photography as well. As most probably know reading this, shooting a wedding for someone other than a close friend, is quite a daunting and stressful time period. Deadlines, contracts, and hundreds of hours post processing eventually lead into a handsome paycheck. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the stress of covering weddings as a primary photographer, but getting married isnt a personal hobby of mine; unlike quite a few seemingly divorced couples filling the statistical pages these days! But when it comes to automotive photography, it just so happens anything that has a gas tank and a go pedal interests me. 
All of this talk about photography gets me to my main point; the rewards! Sure a handsome paycheck from bride-zilla is nice, but seeing your photos published in media brings a different euphoria to the senses. In my term so far of covering automotive events, I have had the privilege of providing coverage to some of the top names in the industry; from Brian Crower, Peak Motorsports; Enkei Wheels; and most importantly DSport Magazine. You’ve seen their magazines on shelves in Borders Books, Barnes and Noble, all the way down to your local grocery stores! The team at DSport has been nothing less than phenomenal in providing the absolute highest quality articles/DVDs/photos of the latest in the import community.
So when I was presented with the ability to provide coverage for them years ago, it was nothing short of any freelancers dream come true! But a lot of people ask, “man what do you shoot with”, to inquire the equipment can make your photos look amazing! Well, a lot of people may be shocked to find out back in 2003 and 2004 , I shot with a little old Nikon D50 and a 70-300mm lens that was so loud when the focusing rings turned it sounded like you were moving one of NASAs telescopes! You don’t need thousands of dollars in equipment to be noticed ( even though it sure as hell makes the job slightly easier). Developing your own style and having someone take notice is key. Even though I have since upgrading my equipment light-years beyond what I originally had that statement still holds validity. 
My personal “break” came back in early 2006 when Enkei Wheels contacted me to use media in their upcoming calendar which sent me to Chicago. Traveling about then became something that I knew I wanted to do. Different cities, different people, one same passion. As I’m typing this I am displaying a couple sets of my published pieces as sort of a display of the shots that have made their way through my shutter finger to the printing presses on the West Coast. Each year that goes by, I learn so many things from old friends, and new faces. Despite being off for an entire year, I feel back at home once again behind the sometimes constricting confines of a viewfinder. Often times someone asks me if Id rather be watching from a comfortable chair and cheering on with the crowd than trying to capture a snapshot on a sideline stuffed around other photographers.
When all is said and done at the end of the day, you’re only left with snippets of your recollection of the things that happen. To be able to bring those memories back in the form of photography is priceless. As I approach my elderly age of 30 (3 more years!) I have become more nostalgic in my ways.
Opportunities for niche freelance photography work are endless, and even though this may be the case, we should never stop trying to improve ourselves and our craft. Each and every time we grab the camera and head out the door, much like an artist preparing his canvas and oils, we mentally get ready for the action waiting for us behind the shutter and with
a little bit of luck, timing, and skill we hope to obtain that one shot that makes standing out all day all worth it in the end.
-George Atchison
Nemesis Digital Photography 
