Harrison Gayton: in Missoula, MT

I worked at one of the best companies in Montana, (Glassdoor 2017) Warm Springs Productions. While mainly I worked on Log Cabin Living, Beach Hunters, and Mountain Life for HGTV, I also worked on a few episodes of Mountain Men for History and a few development shoots. While PA’ing, I was essentially a runner PA, a set PA, and set photographer all in one. When I bumped up to camera work and DIT a year into my employment, I was on a 2nd Unit shooting sunrises/sunsets/b-roll of towns and activities to do in those towns, as well as shooting details and wides of the houses featured on each episode. As DIT, I offloaded and organized up to 10 different cameras from our shoots with Shotput 6.

Filming second angles, setting up/taking down strobes, shooting behind- the-scene photos, logging old VX tapes, measuring focus, and creating a fully featured Facebook page.

I spent this period of time absorbing all I could about hardware, specializing in brass fittings and plumbing. Cutting glass, chain, mesh, pipe, wire, and hose were all part of a day’s work. The critical thinking involved really satisfied my intellect. I thoroughly enjoyed figuring out a customer’s problem and finding the best solution to it.

While selling cameras and gear, I shared my expertise and passion for photography, making sure customers were able to make the art they wanted. I also did one-on-one consultations with customers for Adobe Lightroom library organization/editing.

I sold watches of all types and resized them to fit, as well as clothes, accessories, and audio products. I also printed and framed my photos for display in the store.

When I was 17, I moved to Ollantaytambo, Peru to volunteer for Awamaki. During my stay, I shot photos of various projects, from sustainable tourism to education to mapping trails, and documenting weaving methods.