Meet Patrick Record | Photographer

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

Hi Patrick, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
My work life balance has really changed over time. When I landed my first photojournalism job as an intern at the Daily Inter Lake in Whitefish, Mont., I remember I’d spend my free time making photos. I’d make some photos for the local brewery, or photograph a local band or a high school game. If a friend needed a second shooter for a wedding, sure I’d give it a shot. I enjoyed it, I was learning the art. Everything was about finding a photo opportunity.

Today, it’s a lot different in that I really want to protect my personal time now that I have a family. My time with my wife and 19-month old daughter is so valuable. I still love photography, more so than ever, but sometimes I want a memory to be just that, a memory for me. Or if I am making photos during my free time, I’m usually shooting film. I like that film slows it all down, and really makes me look, and wait for moments. I still make photos, but nothing like I used to when I was younger.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started in television production before I really discovered photography. I would bring a point and shoot camera with me to all the locations when I traveled for shows. There’s one moment I can clearly recall where I knew photography is what I wanted to do.

It was during President Obama’s first inauguration address. I was sitting in traffic on the 101 freeway headed to MTV for an all day shoot for the series, “I Love the….” I remember telling the camera op I was riding with how special it was for those photographers to be there documenting that historical moment. Here I was, sitting in traffic getting ready to monitor audio in a dark room. Cut to four years later, I was in D.C. covering his second inauguration – I photographed the Inaugural Ball and made one of my favorite images. Pretty wild to think that in four years, I decided to make the jump to photojournalism, moved to Montana, and was one of two student-photographers selected by PBS NewsHour to cover the inauguration for their Inaug Blog. It’s one of my proudest moments.

I know it might sound cliché, but I can honestly say I love what I do. I don’t think a lot of people can truly say that. I love that a camera, this little tool of mine, has taken me around the world. It’s taken me to Siberia, where it was -50, and I spent a week with the Nenets indigenous people of the Arctic, to document the first time their DNA samples being collected by an online genealogy platform. Then there was the Old City of Jerusalem. I’ve documented peoples’ highest moments, and unfortunately others lowest. There’s no better way to learn about people, and parts of the world than witnessing it through a lens. And all while doing so, paying attention to light and vantage points. It’s pretty fucking cool.

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?
I live in the Redondo Beach, so I spend most of my time in the South Bay.

As for activities, I’d recommend a hike in Palos Verdes. The fire trail has lots of great views. On a clear day I can see the Hollywood sign, the Observatory and downtown Los Angeles. I’ve got a little one, so I spend most of my time at the beach, and at parks. Los Arboles Rocketship Park is a great one. It might be one of the few parks left that still have that old school rocketship that even I used to climb up. Once again, great views of the greater LA area.

For food, we walk to the Redondo Village, it’s just so close to us and convenient. One of our favorite happy hour spots is Vida, good chips, salsa, tacos and my little one loves it. The service is quick.

When I do get a chance to head into the city, I’m always looking to try new spots to eat/drink. That said, I do hit Honor Bar from time to time to catch up with a great friend. They have a nice pour and their fried chicken sandwich is one of the best I’ve had.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people that have helped me get to where I am today. It all started with my dad, he gave me his old Nikon FM that he used when he was in Vietnam. He’s been my biggest fan, along with my mom. When I landed my first internship as a photojournalist, my parents signed up for home delivery here in California – I was working in Montana. Sure enough, they’d get a bundle of newspapers every week so they could see which photos of mine made it to print.

In Los Angeles, it’s Dan Hardy of 4 West Productions, he really gave me my start. I started in television production before focusing on photography and photojournalism. His crew taught me how to be a sound mixer. I’d often team up with him as a field mixer for various sports networks. That’s where I learned lighting, and set etiquette. One day he felt it was time for me to make the jump to a camera operator – it just happened to be an all day press tour with Juan Manuel Marquez for his upcoming fight against Floyd Mayweather. By the end of the 12-hour day, I was hopping off a private jet in NY with JMM, his trainer and Oscar De La Hoya. Crazy to think that was my first real shoot.

When it comes to photography, my first mentor is Michael Albans. I met him on the sidelines of a football game at the University of Montana, where I was attending journalism school. He moved to Missoula from New York and was working for the Associated Press. We started talking and eventually we’d grab coffee and he’d critique my work. It was tough, but I needed that. His mentorship is something I’ll always value. He eventually recommended me to AP for football coverage at UM – I was honored to do so for a two years.

Today, it’s my wife who deserves the recognition. She supports and encourages me so much as a photographer and in life. It’s so important to have that at home to really be in a good space to be a creative.

Website: https://www.patrickrecord.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrickrecord/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-record-867b8a23/