Cameron Cushman

Cameron Cushman is a family man, fly angler, and a Missouri based outdoor photographer and filmmaker. Cameron truly captures the story behind an image, focusing on the content and good times being had. Cameron has a passion for fly fishing and the outdoors, and he shares that passion through his work.
When Cameron is not focused on filmmaking and photography, he is spending time with his family, or running his non-profit, The Iron Freedom Foundation. The Iron Freedom Foundation’s mission is to provide veterans with a support-community of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts. Cameron has personally healed through spending time outdoors, and has not let obstacles stand in his way. Between work and his home life, Cameron just about always has a camera in his hand, capturing the moment

Why did you begin photography? What inspired you to begin?

I picked up my first camera shortly after graduating highschool in 2006, and started shooting primarily surfing, skimboarding, and wildlife before transitioning into the model industry for a brief stint. I think I was always drawn to the idea of being a photographer but it wasn’t until some friends asked me to film a few videos for them with their cameras that truly inspired me to get into it.

Is there a specific niche of photography that you are known for or that you gravitate to?

I definitely focus on the outdoor space, from fly fishing, kayaking, hunting, shooting sports, and conventional fishing, those tend to be the areas that I am hired out for on the freelance side.

What is one thing you wish you knew before beginning outdoor/fish photography?

I have always felt very comfortable in the outdoor and fishing space as that’s where my heart is, but if I went back in time I would have told myself to get into fishing content sooner, rather than later.

Is your photography a full-time job, or do you have a daily gig too?

Filmmaking and photography is my full time profession, I work as a freelancer, a full time visual producer for a company in the outdoor space, and do a lot of work for my nonprofit The Iron Freedom Foundation.

How do you manage a work-life balance as a photographer?

My life pretty much revolves around having a camera with me at all times. Between my work and my home life with a wife and four kids, I usually am taking photos or videos of something. However, it is also something that you need to take a step away from sometimes, burnout is a real thing, focusing on being present with your family and friends, and just giving yourself some time to reset are all very important.

What brand of camera equipment do you shoot with?

I started my photography journey shooting Canon but made the move over to Sony when I got more involved with the filmmaking side of things. I currently own a few Sony bodies, Black Magic, and am always paying attention to the other brands to see what they are releasing.

Which lens is your favorite for photographing in various conditions?

Without a doubt the Sigma 35 1.2. 

I am a sucker for shooting wide open and my favorite run and gun focal length is 35, 95% of the time.

Do you take macro-photography of flies? If so, what is your process/lens of choice?

I don’t do it often but when I have I am always making sure the scene is lit properly and I have my camera setup on a tripod with a proper macro lens.

If someone is interested in getting involved in outdoor / fishing photography today, what would be some suggestions you would give them regarding introductory gear (camera body, lens, brand, editing software, etc.)?

I would say, start without whatever you can get your hands on. There’s no need to go out and spend several thousand dollars right off the bat when you can learn using most modern day phones. You can use the free mobile Lightroom app for editing on your phone as well. Once you are ready to make the jump, all of the major brands are making amazing cameras these days.

What editing software do you use the most for photo edits? Why?

For photography I am in Adobe Lightroom 90% of the time, with the rest being spent in Adobe Photoshop. 

For my films, I am using Adobe Premiere and Resolve for the bulk of my work.

How did you learn this specific genre of photography?

I am self taught, so through a lot of trial and error, watching loads of YouTube, and shooting with others. 

Out of all your photos, which is your favorite and why? (Please attach this photo!)

Man this is a tough one, I am not sure that I could point out my all time favorite photograph. I would say that in the past year, this is one of my favorite shots that I took that was fly fishing related. 

While on The Iron Freedom Foundation’s very first couples trip to Colorado, where we spent five days fly fishing for Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout in the backcountry, I tripped and fell and smashed one of my Pro Mist filters, which we were not able to remove from the lens due to it crushing in one of the edges. 

That evening while all of the girls were hanging out by the fire, I snuck over and captured this photograph of the girls laughing in conversation with the broken filter which caused this really cool effect of the fire being reflected off the promist at the top of the image. It was a very powerful trip for me and while the image isn’t spectacular, the story behind it makes it a favorite. 

What was your first fishing experience?

I grew up conventional fishing with my dad, primarily Largemouth Bass using live bait, before I eventually gravitated to the tackle side of things.

When did you begin fly fishing?

I first started fly fishing in Alaska in 2013, after returning home from a deployment to Afghanistan and I have been “hooked” ever since.

What draws you to fly fishing, both personally and professionally?

Fly fishing is an art and medicine for me, it is where I go to find my peace. So, naturally I am going to want to surround myself with it as much as possible to experience those healing powers that I find in nature.

Who is your biggest inspiration or mentor?

My kids are my biggest inspiration. I want to show them that you can do anything you put your mind to, despite obstacles that may constantly get in your way. I have been told by numerous doctors that I would never be able to do any of the things I currently do after having a surgeon botch my insides out of complacency.

Do you remember your first published piece?

My first published piece was for FOREVERSKIM Magazine in what I believe to be 2009, it was the cover of issue 35 of the magazine. I believe my first published piece on the fly fishing side of things was in Kayak Bass Fishing Magazine.

With so many people scrolling on their phones, does social media play a role in your photography?

I think in today’s world, the majority of the content that you are capturing is being used for social media. Of course, content is being used for ads, ecommerce, packaging, and such, but the bulk is definitely going towards social. With that in mind, I shoot a lot more vertical photography than I previously did. Having the ability to take up more of the screen while using social media platforms is huge for business as that means the images are on the screen longer and the viewers are more likely to stop and pay attention.

Do you have any tips to help people take better photos with their smartphones?

Close the distance and try to use whatever your portrait mode may be on your phone to separate your subject from the background. 

For landscape imagery, don’t be afraid to place something in the foreground such as brush, trees, leaves, or grass to break up the image and give it some depth.

Do you suggest any smartphone apps for photo editing?

Adobe Lightroom mobile without a doubt.

Any tips for other aspiring outdoor / fishing photographers?

Just keep shooting, find your niche or what you love in the industry, and just be passionate about it.

What is your favorite weather to photograph in, or what is your favorite time of day?

If I can shoot during the golden hour periods of the day I will be. If I absolutely have to shoot during the middle of the day I prefer a soft overcast day to keep the shadows and highlights light.

What photography trends currently inspire your work?

I have been finding a lot of my inspiration lately in the agriculture and farming space as it is something I am starting to dabble in.

Where can people find your artwork? (Retail store, online store, social media handles, etc)

My work can be found on packaging, social, and websites for various brands in the shooting industry, various companies in the fishing space to include both fly fishing and conventional, on my personal channels which I’ll link below, and on a few different nonprofit organizations channels.

Webpage: www.cameroncush.com

Instagram: @cameroncush

Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/cameroncush

Non-Profit: www.ironfreedom.org

Any parting thoughts you’d like us to add?

Get out there and shoot, find something you’re passionate about and pursue that. The majority of my free time I spend capturing content for The Iron Freedom Foundation because it is something I am passionate about and I feel called to share the stories of combat veterans through film. If you can find something you love, you’ll never burn out.