Meet Austin Shimek | Photographer

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

Hi Austin, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
The thought of giving up crosses my mind frequently. I get deep into a body of work from a race weekend or a photoshoot, and start refining the tiny details, it gets tiring. I look at the difficulty of working in a creative field, staying relevant, and continuing to build work that is exciting and unique. I end up asking myself, “What else would I do?” but I know that I can’t do anything else. Not like “Oh, I have no other skills,” but I don’t want to do anything else. There is something I can’t describe that photography gives me. When I’m trackside with cars roaring by me, the light is perfect, and I’m just playing with the settings, having fun. That’s when I know I have to keep going.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What I think sets me apart from others is my perspective. I’ve always loved being behind the scenes. I love to show those moments that not everyone sees. I often find myself looking the other way, standing where no one else is, trying something not many people are doing. I learned photography with film in my homemade darkroom and I think it sets me apart being able to use any photographic medium. Any special effects or weird uses of light I always do in camera. When it comes to photographing cars I want my work to be approachable by not only car people but anyone. I try to make a piece of work that isn’t just a photo of a car, but a photo that anyone could enjoy or find interesting. Pride and excitement goes hand in hand for me. When I get excited about a project and reach that flow state anywhere in the process I always make work that I am most proud of.

My art is photography. I mostly shoot Automotive and Motorsport, but I photograph everything. I have always had a camera in my hand. Whether it was a home movie with action figures or Nerf gun battles on the family Sony Handycam, using my mom’s cellphone to take photos, I’ve always loved capturing a moment. In high school, I took a cinema class and got my hands on “big cameras” (Canon 5D mkII) for the first time. Whenever we were sent out to film for class, I would end up taking photos and always had to scrap something together with the little amount of footage I got. Around that time, my grandma gave me a Minolta XG-A, and I had my first interchangeable lens SLR of my own. I fell in love immediately. I took that camera everywhere. I still look back at that first roll of Ultramax 400. From there my love photography, analog and digital, exploded. As for my love of cars, I always liked cars, but once I got into racing during COVID and discovered one could get paid to photograph racing, I knew I had to.Going to car meets is how I started. I’d take my Sony a6500 to all the events I went to and would just take photos of the things I thought were cool, always trying new techniques. Slowly my professional portfolio grew and my work got better. The drive to want to keep making work that make me excited and get myself to the places where I can make that work helps me push through the challenges whatever they may be.
The number one lesson I’ve learned is that creativity does not always come easy. Its a muscle like another and with repetition and persistence it gets stronger. I think that any creative person should do something creative once a day. Sketch in your notebook, write a poem, take a photo, do something that just keeps the juices flowing. Doesnt have to be big, you dont have to show it to anyone, just a little something that works that part of your brain. I often think about the Chase Jarvis quote where he said, in reference to iPhone photography, “The best camera is the one you have with you”. Use a ballpoint pen to draw a scene, use your phone to make a good photo, use some cardboard and elmers glue to make a sculpture. Keep that creativity flowing and you never know where it will lead you.

Another, limitation breeds creativity. I say it all the time. I think its a good motto for life in general but even more so in a creative field. So what if you don’t have the latest gear, nicest lenses, or are stuck behind the spectator fence? Use that! Have fun with it. Play with what you have available and it makes the creative process so much more enjoyable in the end.

Finally, cut your self some slack. We’re human. We’re not perfect. We make mistakes. A very important mentor of mine once told me once “You are the only person you have to live with every single day, be nice to them.” It reminds me that when I make a mistake or maybe a project doesn’t come out how I thought it would that it’s ok. Onto the next, learn from that and be better next time.

I want the world to know that I want to photograph it. I want to photograph awesome places, awesome things that happen. I want to share those moments with as many people as I can. I want to share photos that give me the same feelings of inspiration and awe that I get when I see amazing works of art.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’d have to go to the beach. I’d take them on a drive down PCH. I enjoy the atmosphere of Venice Beach as well, especially the skate park. Next, a game at Dodger Stadium. You can’t beat a warm summer night with a Dodger Dog and a cold drink. To hit the touristy attractions, a movie at the Chinese Theater, and going to browse the aisles at Amoeba. If they’d be up for it, a hike to the top of Griffith Park, you get such a great view of the city from there. I always recommend people visit the Getty if they have the time. The Petersen is an amazing collection, and they are often putting on some great events. Finally, a stop by Race Service, they have an amazing space and their events are always a vibe with some really great photo ops of amazing cars.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shout-out to my parents, Fred and Tiffany! Love you, Dad and Mom! They have never once told me to drop my passion for photography. When things are tough, they are always there for me in any way I need them. Without them, I would not be a fraction of the person I am today. They have always pushed for my growth and betterment both personally and professionally, and have supported me every step of the way. So without a doubt, my parents deserve a shoutout.

Website: https://auzyphoto.com

Instagram: @auzy_shimek119

Linkedin: Austin Shimek

Image Credits
All images are taken by me: Austin Shimek