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Featured User: Award-Winning Photojournalist William Thomas Cain

Being a photojournalist means much more than taking pictures for newspapers. It’s about capturing the world’s people, cultures, conflicts, and occurrences. With a single snap, a moment in the present becomes a documentation of the past that will tell a real-life story not just in current events, but for future generations down the line.

Graph Paper Press user William Thomas Cain is an award-winning professional photojournalist based in Philadelphia. With more than 30 years of commercial and editorial experience in the Delaware Valley, Mr. Cain is a visual connector capturing everything from presidential speeches and political awards to sporting events, celebrity portraits, and local happenings throughout the region. He has worked for the Philadelphia Inquirer and Associated Press, and is currently represented by both Getty Images and Black Star. He also helps to mold the next generation of photojournalists, teaching at Wilmington University and running his own independent workshops.

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We caught Mr. Cain for a few quick questions about his passion, career, and experience using our website toolkit. Here’s what he had to say:

When did you discover your passion for photography?

Freshman year at University of the Arts – I was an Illustration and painting major, and we had to take photography as an elective so we could make our own reference material.

I was hooked from the first photogram. I loved the idea of painting with light as opposed to paint and a brush. I was very shy before that first photo class, and photography brought me out of my shell. For the class assignments, we had to photograph strangers, so I had to interact with people I did not know. Meeting cool people and seeing cool things was inspiring. It beat staying in the studio painting for days with no human interaction.

What was your first big break in your career?

My first big break happened during my sophomore year of college. I was taking a photojournalism class and we had the assignment of creating a picture story on any subject we wanted.

For my story, I thought it would be fun to photograph a day in the life of Philadelphia’s legendary radio personality, Pierre Robert of WMMR. I called the station and asked for his permission, and he agreed. So I shot the picture story – probably got a B. I was under-lensed and under-flashed in those days.

Pierre had seen the images and asked for a large print of him and John DeBella during their morning to midday show changeover. I obliged, and when I dropped it off and inquired about whether or not the station used freelance photographers, he said, “Hold on for a sec.” He then put on a long record and marched me down to WMMR’s promotions director and introduced me. He said, “Jack, this is my friend Bill. He is a very talented young photographer and you should use him.”

I spent the next two years photographing events and concerts for the radio station. Without meeting Pierre, I’m probably sitting in a studio drawing comic books right now.

What is it about photography (and photojournalism in particular) that you love?

The process of finding the image is what I find most enjoyable. I’m given an assignment, and then I have to go and find the image that best tells the story.

I also love the fact that I get to photograph different things daily. One day I’ll be photographing sports; the next day I’ll be shooting a presidential event. The day after that, I’ll be doing spot news. The variety is both challenging and rewarding. I rarely do the same thing twice in the same week.

What made you choose Graph Paper Press for your website?

I chose Graph Paper Press after searching for a website solution for about a year. Every other company had templates for photographers, but none of the layouts were clean and simple.

When I found GPP, I fell in love with the simplicity and easy-to-use templates. GPP’s themes enhance a photographer’s work. You can tell they make a point of not detracting from the images. They understand that the goal is to show off my photographic work, not show how flashy a website can be.

What do you like about Graph Paper Press?

GPP is easy to use, with great design and support staff. Once I decided to go with GPP, it only took a few minutes to get the site up and running. If I ever have issues, Rick or any one of the support staff members is always quick to respond and address my issue. GPP is constantly evolving and releasing new designs and products.

Also, one of my favorite things about GPP is that it integrates seamlessly with PhotoShelter.

If you were to recommend us to a friend, what would you say?

If you want a seamless, beautiful and easily manageable website, GPP is the best decision you will ever make for your photo business.

Their templates are designed for multiple uses including business, news magazines, and portfolios. There are also plenty of plugins that integrate very easily.

I’ve had a website since 1992, and it was always a chore to manage until I found GPP. So I have to say, quite frankly, thank goodness for Graph Paper Press! They simplify my life and enable me to focus more on my craft than my website.

Thanks so much for the kind words and loyalty, Mr. Cain! It’s a privilege to have you in our creative community.

Check out a few images from William Thomas Cain’s portfolio below, and be sure to check out his website, www.cainimages.com.

PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 18: Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (D-Il) makes remarks during a major address on race, politics, and how we bring our country together at this important moment in our history March 18, 2008 at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – MARCH 18: Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (D-Il) makes remarks during a major address on race, politics, and how we bring our country together at this important moment in our history March 18, 2008 at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

 

PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 20: Academy Award winning actress Halle Berry poses for photos at the Four Seasons Hotel March 20, 2007 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Berry was in Philadelphia for a showing of her new film "Perfect Stranger." (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images for the Boston Globe)
PHILADELPHIA – MARCH 20: Academy Award winning actress Halle Berry poses for photos at the Four Seasons Hotel March 20, 2007 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Berry was in Philadelphia for a showing of her new film “Perfect Stranger.” (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images for the Boston Globe)

 

Harlem Globetrotters' Scooter Christensen (L) controls the basketball with his body as Bam Bam Bamiro looks on during a game March 5, 2009 on the rooftop of the Wachovia Spectrum. The Harlem Globetrotters played the Washington Generals in a 'Remember the Spectrum' rooftop game. The Spectrum is scheduled to be torn down and replaced with a shopping complex. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/cainimages.com)
Harlem Globetrotters’ Scooter Christensen (L) controls the basketball with his body as Bam Bam Bamiro looks on during a game March 5, 2009 on the rooftop of the Wachovia Spectrum. The Harlem Globetrotters played the Washington Generals in a ‘Remember the Spectrum’ rooftop game. The Spectrum is scheduled to be torn down and replaced with a shopping complex. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/cainimages.com)
EASTON, PA - JUNE 18: A packaging machine sorts crayons while moving them towards individual boxes at Binney and Smith, Inc., the manufacturer of Crayola crayons June 18, 2003 in Easton, Pennsylvania. Binney and Smith, Inc. are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first box of Crayola crayons. Introduced in 1903, a box of Crayola crayons sold for a nickel and included the same eight colors available today: red, blue, yellow, violet, orange, black, and brown. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
EASTON, PA – JUNE 18: A packaging machine sorts crayons while moving them towards individual boxes at Binney and Smith, Inc., the manufacturer of Crayola crayons June 18, 2003 in Easton, Pennsylvania. Binney and Smith, Inc. are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first box of Crayola crayons. Introduced in 1903, a box of Crayola crayons sold for a nickel and included the same eight colors available today: red, blue, yellow, violet, orange, black, and brown. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

 

PHILADELPHIA - JULY 02: Rapper Kanye West performs on stage at "Live 8 Philadelphia" at the Philadelphia Museum of Art July 2, 2005 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The free concert is one of ten simultaneous international gigs including London, Berlin, Rome, Paris, Barrie, Tokyo, Cornwall, Moscow and Johannesburg. The concerts precede the G8 summit (July 6-8) to raising awareness for MAKEpovertyHISTORY. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – JULY 02: Rapper Kanye West performs on stage at “Live 8 Philadelphia” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art July 2, 2005 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The free concert is one of ten simultaneous international gigs including London, Berlin, Rome, Paris, Barrie, Tokyo, Cornwall, Moscow and Johannesburg. The concerts precede the G8 summit (July 6-8) to raising awareness for MAKEpovertyHISTORY. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

 

PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 17: Yards Brewery November 17, 2006 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images for the Microsoft)
PHILADELPHIA – NOVEMBER 17: Yards Brewery November 17, 2006 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images for the Microsoft)

2 responses to “Featured User: Award-Winning Photojournalist William Thomas Cain”

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  2. Anne chen Avatar

    I’m not pro photographer but I did some travel photography in the past few years.. Unfortunately I stop travelling and taking photos. 🙁

    Taking photos is one way to express what you feel inside.

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