Today I have Adam Bettcher Photography in the hot seat for the interview. Ha ha, no hot seat, I just said that for fun. Anyway, a little background on Adam and his awesome history as a photographer:
Adam Bettcher is a 23-year contract photographer for Getty Images, a 34-year contract photographer with the Associated Press, and an 8-year contract photographer for Reuters News Photos. He is also a "hostile/high-risk environment" trained contract photographer for Reuters News Photos. In addition to editorial photography, Adam is an accomplished commercial photographer with many large clients with whom he shoots both nationally and internationally.
Adam's portfolio from his photojournalism studies at Western Kentucky University won him the Minnesota News Photographers Association 1994 College Photographer of the Year Award in addition to numerous category awards from the Minnesota News Photographers Association/VisualMN. Adam was also team photographer for the Minnesota Vikings football team for six seasons.
Hello, Adam! Tell readers a bit about yourself. Where did you grow up?
Grew up all over the midwest- Born in Fridley, [MN], moved to St. Louis, MO at age 5, moved to Suburb of Detroit, MI at age 8, moved back to [the] Twin Cities at age 11. I went to college at Western Kentucky University and interned at the Kalamazoo Gazette and MN Sun Newspapers.
Wow, that is a lot of moving! Did you play sports as a kid?
I raced BMX for a number of years in Michigan and stopped when I moved back to Minnesota after trying racing for a few seasons here.
Where do you live now?
[The] Twin Cities area.
Anything else you’d like readers to know about you?
[I am] a sports, editorial, and commercial photographer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I have covered a variety of assignments both for over 325 publications worldwide and news organizations such as Getty Images, Reuters, The Associated Press, USA Today Newspaper, and Sports Illustrated.
How long have you been a photographer? When did you start?
I have been a photographer for MANY years (34 total so far). Started at age 16, and by age 18 was shooting/assisting with The Associated Press, USA Today (Newspaper), and Sports Illustrated.
What was your first “pro” camera?
My first pro camera was a Nikon F3HP. Love that camera so much that I recently repurchased one for my collection!
Nice! What camera(s) do you currently shoot with?
I shoot Canon mirrorless cameras (R3s and R5s), a Hasselblad 500c/m, and a Leica Q.
Ah, the magical Hasselblad... woo hoo! And the fact that you shoot so many brands of cameras is kind of unique. You like a challenge, I'd guess.
What makes a “professional photographer” in your opinion?
Someone who makes the majority of their income-producing photographs.
What was your first paid photography gig?
Assisting for AP at major sporting events (US Open, World Series, Superbowl, and NCAA Final Four) all in one year!
That is outstanding! Holy cow, what a year! What was one of your favorite events/competitions/games/matches that you shot?
[I] spent 6 seasons as the Minnesota Vikings team photographer during the Bret Favre era. That was super fun. Was able to cover the coronation of King Charles III in London in May of 2023 and was also the youngest credentialed photographer when Gorbachev visited Minnesota in the early 90’s.
I'd call that variety! haha. Off to my favorite question: Do you do your own photo editing?
I do.
Do you like photo editing? Why or why not?
Editorial editing is more culling than anything- I enjoy that. I edit my commercial work as well and the creativity of not having editorial standards and integrity to stick to is sometimes fun.
What photography jobs do you have coming up that you are excited about?
I have a busy sports season upcoming, MLB, MLS, NFL, and Olympic stuff along with documenting a trip to Spain and London. I do a fair bit of work in London for some police forces and other outlets.
What kinds of non-sports-related photo jobs do you take?
I do a lot of event photography for large corporations, mainly national sales meetings. I also shoot for my church (Grace Church Eden Prairie). About 40% of my commercial work is with SWAT and Military units, equipment manufacturers, and training associations.
That sounds interesting. What is a topic related to photography in general, or more specifically sports photography, that you are really passionate about?
Documenting history.
Who were/are your mentors?
Too many to list but Jim Mone from the AP, Bob Deutsch from USA Today, Damian Strohmeyer from Sports Illustrated, and John Biever from Sports Illustrated were all personal mentors to me over the years. I have even had opportunities to mentor some of them in reverse as their careers took a change of direction!
That's great! What would be an event/competition/game that you would love to shoot someday?
World Cup Soccer, Olympics
What sport have you not shot yet that you would love to shoot?
Fencing, bobsled/luge
Readers can follow Bettcher Photo online (website, Instagram). Adam, thank you so very much for the interview! I appreciate it and I hope I can shoot next to you someday at an event in Minnesota. :)
~ Wendy
