More About Me
(with a corny 25 “facts about me” thingie at the end)

Hello,

So you came here to find out a little more about me, the guy behind Shooter Files?

Well, you already got my name so you can call me Walker, you can call me F.D., you can call me Forrest or you can even make up a name and call me that. Your choice.

I’m originally from Oregon and that’s where I went to college too. At the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!) I majored in Economics and Business. Two subjects that are obviously very far away from photography. I knew it too, but at the time I thought this was the “smart” route to go. Make a lot of money from my career and leave what I loved for hobbies and free time.

So I went into the world of cubicles, while feeding my real passion of photography every chance and vacation day I got.

It didn’t take long to see I could never be happy in the office world, though. Especially when all of my passion was in photography. I needed to do it all the time, not part-time. I needed to be outside photographing uncontrolled life, not inside the 6 x 6 walls of what felt like a controlled life.

I didn’t make the jump overnight, though. I spent a few years as full-time number cruncher and part-time photographer. Then, after building up some photography job experience on the side and saving a little money, I quit and made a go of it as a full-time traveling photographer.

I’ve been a freelance photographer working on projects around the world ever since.

Why did I create Shooter Files?

This blog comes from my passion for Street Photography and my love of traveling.

There are an endless amount of Travel Blogs, a growing number of Street Photography Blogs and even a good amount of Travel Photography Blogs, but I couldn’t find much on the internet that helped Street Photographers who like to travel (or vice versa for Travelers).

• Where are the best places to shoot Street Photography in each city?
• What is it like shooting strangers in a certain city or country?
• Are there any local tips or things to look for?
• What does Street Photography look like in other cities and which would appeal to my interests?

I also couldn’t find much that really put a focus on the global community of Street Photographers and Street Photography in cities around the world. What unique characteristics, life and visual gifts does each city and their own Street Photographers bring to the world.

I also know there are plenty of travelers who take their camera to every city they go and have a lot of the same interests that we do as photographers.

So I decided to create Shooter Files and take this blog along with me while I travel and shoot Street Photography in cities around the world.

I hope you’ll join me on this journey of photography into the many streets and cities the world has to offer. It’s a big world so let this blog be a place for you to connect with other Street Photographers and their work around the world too. I promise to put all of my heart and energy into this blog (that doesn’t already go into my photography) and I look forward to getting to know all of you!

If you still want to know more about me, you can scroll down for one of those corny “facts about me” things.

Or just get to know me here on the Blog, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter instead (Yes, you can still scroll down if you really want to)

 

 

 

 

25 Corny/Fun Facts About Me

1. I was born in Montana and raised in Oregon
2. My first camera was a disposable Kodak FunSaver 35
3. My extended family is really small. Like I have only 1 cousin small.
4. In the past, I wasn’t a morning person at all. I was a total night owl. Street Photography and coffee cured me of the morning part, but unfortunately not the night. So now I don’t sleep. (I wish this wasn’t as true as it is)
5. Top 2 things I hate about traveling: Airport transfers and Cold showers
6. My favorite meal would probably be something found in Thailand, most anything (except of the bug variety).
7. My other favorite meal would be steak and asparagus on the grill. Now I’m hungry.
8. I have music on constantly. Except for when I’m out shooting street. Then nothing’s on, but my camera.
9. I enjoy being out of my comfort zone and experiencing anything new. I get bored easily. Which is probably another reason I love Street Photography. Every day is something new.
10. Dogs over cats all day long.
11. I’m a pretty laid back person. Except when I’m really hungry. Then unless you have food, don’t talk to me.
12. People fascinate me more than anything in the world.
13. I love my laptop, but I still prefer pen and paper when it comes to getting ideas flowing.
14. I listen to Hip-hop and rap. I love Hip-hop and rap. Don’t Judge.
15. I also listen to all blues influenced music, from the blues and r&b to rock and folk. Both old school and new.
16. I love documentaries. I took a break from Netflix because I was spending too much time watching all of them.
17. I love old things. Like old, worn cloth bound books, antique locks that open with skeleton keys and little, old elevators that shake as they slowly go up to your floor.
18. My first crush was Jennifer Love Hewitt. My current crush is this girl.
19. I’m a big sports fan. One thing I miss most due to traveling is not going to games and being away from all the hometown fandom.
20. I believe experiencing a variety of life and building relationships are way more important than money. I still like money, though.
21. I love good whiskey. I love good beer too. I also like water from time to time.
22. I actually love tea too. See, I’m healthy.
23. I was attacked by a tiger and survived. I guess the survived part is kind of obvious.
24. When i’m not looking at photography or travel online, I’m probably looking at sports or spending way too much time randomly learning about something new.
25. Question I’m asked the most that I can’t answer: What’s your favorite place you’ve traveled?