Most of the influential folks in my life just sort of happened. The best example maybe a guy named Ross Chapple. How I crossed paths is a long-convoluted story so I will cut to the chase. I had quit my DC art director job, hoping to go to grad school, but didn’t get accepted. So, I needed a job and decided to give photography a shot. I looked for a job as a photographer’s assistant. I hadn’t clue what the requirements were but is sounded like the kind of job I would like and needed. I made a list of 5 prominent DC photographers and called the first one. His name was Mike and a good friend of Ross. Unbeknownst to me at the time, Ross was looking for an assistant. Mike talks to Ross and tells him this guy (me) is coming to see him. Mike isn’t looking for an assistant. So, Ross says to him if he is dealing with a full deck of cards, send him my way. That was the criteria for employment… I had to be dealing with a full deck of cards. I hit it off with Mike, and he says to call Ross as he needed an assistant the next day. Ross was one of the most respected shooters in DC at the time, who’s major client was Better Homes and Gardens. I show up the next day and meet Ross. He asks me if I know how to use a Speedotron…no. Balcar…no again. Ok did I know how to load a Hasselblad… no. Don’t worry he says, I’ll teach you. For 2 days I follow his every command, and he teaches me how to use his equipment and for the most part I am a fly on the wall watching him craft beautiful pictures with his Balcar lighting equipment and Hasselblad. We talked on lunch breaks, but he has no interest in looking at my portfolio. We hit it off too. Ross was self-taught in photography but very educated otherwise and funny too. Just very laid back. After the two day shoot, he asks me if I could go to New Orleans the next week? And Boston after that? Baltimore? And back to DC. Six weeks later I knew how to load a Hasselblad and work with Speedotrons and what watt second meant. I was in hog heaven and for the first time in my life I wasn’t bored with a job. Ross finally did look at my portfolio, which he like very much. But that wasn’t the important aspect for working together. He just wanted someone he could work with for 8 hours a day. Someone dealing with a full deck of cards. We are great friends to this day and communicate often. My point is he gave me a break. He had no business hiring me, I had no skills to offer him, other than willingness to learn, and do the best job I could.
