Meet Rob Ballard | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rob Ballard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rob, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think about risk as part of everyday life, we need it to succeed. The role risk has taken in my career was at the time when I was going to jump head first into photography as a career and then the 2008 economic crash hit. Creative jobs were at risk and many companies did away with staff photographers, it was not a good time to start this career. This is were I decided to risk it all and go to photography school, the risk paid off!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a photographer that mainly shoots food and beverage & products for restaurant, businesses and individuals. Everyone has a connection to food so it has to look appetizing to the viewer. I think what helps set me apart from others is the way i approach lighting the subjects I am shooting. Understand that taking light away from the subject is just as important as adding light to it. Having that understanding of how light effects the subject of food makes it appeal to the view in an emotional way, a craving or wanting to taste something you are seen in a photograph is my job done well.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Defiantly take a drive up north to see the beautiful red rocks of Sedona and take them on a easy hike at Bell Rock trail. After the scenic views we drive back to Phoenix for lunch at Chinobandito, a local Mexican/ Asian fusion restaurant! Afterwards we would go back to the Valley Ho, in Scottsdale to relax and enjoy the drinks pool side. Dinner would be in downtown Phoenix at The Larder and the Delta, off Portland ave. We would then head down to Bitter and Twisted for a unique cocktail experience.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are several people that held an important role in the success I have had. While still in school I started looking to assisting photographers who did the type of work I wanted to do. There were two name going around Rick Gayle and Paul Markow, these are photography gods here in the valley as they have withstood the test of time and are still working photographers today. My life partner Arlene has been my biggest supporter having been there from the beginning of my photographic journey and was also the person who bought me my first DSLR which sits on a shelf now.

Website: https://www.robballardphotography.com

Instagram: yo_robballard

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-ballard-a717022a/

Twitter: @yo_rob_ballard

Image Credits
One image, my portrait image credit Paul Markow