Meet Wesley Carter of Estill Springs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Wesley Carter.

Hi Wesley, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started working as a photojournalist in 1996 as a stringer for Reuters. I covered sporting events and concerts and gradually worked into shooting concerts for other publications.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been smooth. In 2001 I was covering the Daytona 500 and saw Dale Earnhardt get killed. Although I didn’t know him, I had interacted with him and his team quite a bit including covering him in 1998 when he won the Daytona 500. 2001 was also the year Reuters went digital, and digital cameras were prohibitively expensive so there was a few years that I didn’t shoot much.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I enjoy shooting nature, especially weather. I’m searching for the perfect tornado photograph.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
In 1996 a little boy next door bit my stepson’s nose and drew blood, so I had to go next door and talk to the parents. I met Tom Seaton, a photojournalist with Associated Press. We became fast friends and he introduced me to Joe Skipper, Chuck Luzier, and Pete Cosgrove.

Soon I was shooting with them all and learning so much about the world of photojournalism. Networking at events I met other photojournalists such as Wade Payne and John Partapillo. Finding a mentor can be difficult, but getting out there and meeting people starts the networking process.

Since I started storm chasing I have become friends with legendary chasers such as Jon and Shawna Davies, Kendra Reed, Shane Adams, and Ben Holcomb. Passionate people enjoy mentoring others, you just have to get out there.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://gwc.photos
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/glenntnc
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/dixiealley