Eric Olsen on Capitalizing on the Excitement of Esports as a Photographer or Videographer

The Esports Narrative: A Competitive Video Game Podcast

In this episode we talk with Esports Photographer and Videographer Eric Olsen. Eric not only photographs esports but he does weddings and other work as well through his business Olsen Media. We talk about capitalizing on the excitement of esports from the photographer/videographer perspective and how a new artist can get started in this industry. Eric shares a lot of wisdom here, so please share this episode with your photographer/videographer/artist friends and colleagues!

You can connect with Eric on Twitter @xcaptaineo and check out his wedding and esports work on his website at http://www.olsen-media.com.

SUBSCRIBE to the VIP Esports Digest

(function() { if (!window.mc4wp) { window.mc4wp = { listeners: [], forms : { on: function (event, callback) { window.mc4wp.listeners.push({ event : event, callback: callback }); } } } } })();

Leave this field empty if you're human:

Time Stamped Show Notes

• [1:03] How did you get into esports and esports photography? Eric started in photography/videography with halo and call of duty in 2014. UMG Dallas was his first event in 2014. Started as a cameraman and did some filming and editing on the side. Put together little hype videos and team cards
• [4:30] What is esports? It’s competitive video games and for Eric it was just playing competitively online with friends
• [13:20] Worst moment for you in esports? Eric tells a story about his worst event he filmed and how frustrating the experience was. Eric had to fly back on his own dime and he shares a very important lesson
• [18:35] What did you learn from that experience? Eric’s advice is to try and vet people out and do as much research about the person who’s hiring you as much as you can
• [20:30] Biggest accomplishment? Filming at Evo 2016 at Mandalay Bay. The Evo video Eric filmed wasn’t even commissioned her just did it because he wanted to see his work used more from the event
• [23:05] Why is esports so exciting? The demographic that gets excited about esports has always been there but it’s just now that it’s starting to gain extreme popularity. People are finding a home for the type of entertainment they enjoy
• [26:00] As a photographer or videographer where is the opportunity and how can you capitalize on the excitement of esports? The field is ripe right now if you’re getting into it, there is tons of opportunity. There are people that can contact several teams and say they are going the event and get a few hundred dollars from each to take photos for them. For more established photographers it’s a little more difficult because you need bigger events that pay more
• [32:50] 5 Question Combo Breaker
  • [32:53] Best advice someone has ever given you? “Narrow your focus or lose your effectiveness.”
  • [33:40] What does the esports industry need to continue to grow and be successful? The industry needs to listen to what the fans and the community want and be really transparent. Shoutout to Adam Apicella @MrAdamAp. Eric says he is doing things the right way
  • [35:05] Best play you’ve seen or the most memorable moment for you in esports? At Evo, Hungrybox beating Armada in Super Smash Bros. Melee
  • [36:38] Share a resource that’s been beneficial to you in your career. Research vlogs and blogs about photography. Try to know everything and research everything. Eric offers himself as a resource to anyone who wants advice about photography and videography can reach out to him. He is passionate about helping other people
  • [37:30] What’s one daily habit that’s been the biggest factor for your success? Anytime Eric takes on a new event or a project, he asks himself how can he make it better and improve and take his work to the next level and outdo himself
• [41:04] Where do you get inspiration from for your work? Eric doesn’t watch or consume other people’s work in the wedding or esports space, he doesn’t want to pick up things that they are doing to prevent himself from copying them. Eric gets a lot of inspiration from movies and directors he really likes. There are some photographers Eric does really like and respect that he follows.
  • [42:00] “If you want to set yourself apart from others it’s not helpful to focus on what others are doing.”

3 Big Narratives

1. Make sure you vet and do your research on who is hiring you
2. Narrow your focus or lose your affectiveness
3. If you want to set yourself apart, don’t focus on what others are doing, do your own thing

The post Eric Olsen on Capitalizing on the Excitement of Esports as a Photographer or Videographer appeared first on The Esports Narrative: A Competitive Video Game Podcast.