Q&A

Eddie Seal is a freelance photographer based in Texas, where he covers a number of subjects central to Bloomberg’s business and financial coverage. Our team recently sat down with Eddie to discuss his career path and passion for photojournalism.

What kind of work do you do for Bloomberg? Do you shoot a variety of subjects?
I have covered a wide variety of subjects for Bloomberg News, from presidents and presidential elections, to border patrol and immigration, to wind farming and hurricanes. Based in Corpus Christi, Texas, I am at the center of the action in the South Texas oil and gas industry. Within close proximity of my home base are refineries, oil and gas fields, drilling rig and energy related service and manufacturing facilities. Corpus Christi is also home to the Port of Corpus Christi, which has a constant flow of tankers and cargo ships.

Aside from the special access, what other benefits are there to working for Bloomberg? What do you love about the job?
I have loved working with Bloomberg News. The editors are very knowledgeable and are always open to assignment suggestions. Photography is both my career and my passion. The creative aspect of working with a variety of subjects, and then watching how the photographs illustrate stories worldwide, is extremely gratifying.

What skills have been key to getting you where you are today?
At the University of Texas, I found a mentor in the legendary New York street photographer Garry Winogrand. He would critique a photo solely based on it being interesting or not. Capturing the “interesting” in a subject, combined with a technical understanding of the necessary equipment and lighting, are key to making a good photograph. The best advice I have ever received was early in my professional career. A photo editor advised me to “shoot the light,” and those words changed my vision. Coupled with that, my first career as a real estate broker taught me people skills, which is also useful when working as a photographer.

What are your favorite subjects to photograph? What attracts you to these subjects?
I love photographing people in natural situations, being “a fly on the wall” to capture the action and the emotion in whatever assignment I am covering. Industrial and architectural photography are also favorite subjects of mine because of the creativity involved in capturing interesting photographs which combine design elements and light.

What are some of the misconceptions people may have about working as a freelance photojournalist?
I have always been self-employed, so I’m accustomed to finding my own work. I would imagine that most would feel that being a freelancer lacks the security of being employed. My attitude is that self-employment is freedom. As long as I can keep my clients happy, I will always have a job.

What makes a great photo?
I don’t follow any composition rules when shooting photos. I look for action, expressions, angles and light to make an interesting photograph. It’s difficult to say what makes a great photo, but you know one when you see it: it speaks to you and illuminates something important in the world.

Check out a sample of Eddie’s work here.

– Gabriela Tama