Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenneth May.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Ken May’s career began by assisting three
photographers who were gaining experience
doing lifestyle, tabletop, architectural interior and
exterior photography. A personal assignment was to
photograph Alice Dye for her American Society of Golf
Course Architects application. Dye and May developed
a relationship that helped the photographer perfect his
style and technique.
May’s golf photography career began as a staff
photographer and trade show coordinator for Perry
Dye as well as photographing events and golf courses
worldwide. When Dye Designs downsized, May set
up Rolling Greens Photography. May specialises in
preserving Dye family history and functions as an
image stock agency.
Along with Dye Designs, May worked with many
course builders and architects, photographing over 350
golf clubs. His images have been featured in numerous
publications, on over 40 magazine covers, in calendars
and within commemorative books.
May has been a FAA-licensed remote pilot since 2021
and is passionate about photography that transports
you to the moment.
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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?
In college I studied pre Med and photography as an elective I realized medical school was out of the question and the only thing interesting was photography. I was a serious amateur photographer always shooting in black and white always having access to a dark room for 10 years until I met Ian Barr of Ian Barr photography. Ian hired me as an apprentice. I asked him when do I become an assistant? His reply was,” when you know what I want before I ask you, that’s when you become my assistant.” That process took about 10 months. Ian introduced me to a network of photographers in Fort Lauderdale which I also assisted. While assisting the photographers I also worked as a dishwasher to pay the bills.
The biggest struggle I had was creating a client base., I had a portrait assignment with Alice Dye. This introduced me to her son Perry. Perry was a successful golf course architect that I stayed in touch with during apprenticeship . His correspondence with me was very instrumental in my growth as a professional. I began my new job as staff photographer for Dye Designs in Denver CO.
This was the smoothest part of my career working for Dye Designs for four years as staff photographer and trade show coordinator. Around the world four times shooting golf courses and setting up trade shows for Perry Dye and his company Dye Designs.
This experience introduced me to many people in the golf industry which fueled my career along with continuing to work for the Dye family. Working in the golf industry has its ups and downs just like the economy. So those are the biggest struggles I have these days is trying to recreate myself using talents that I have making use of my assets. I have acquired a drone license from the FAA and on my 4th drone presently. I am still active as a golf course photographer and as an architectural interior exterior photographer. The Dye family has passed on so I am relying on my website and social media as well as old fashioned marketing. My current struggles are adapting to the digital marketing with reserved resources.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My first 5 years as a professionaI was the staff photographer for Dye Designs, Inc Dyes business was centered around the golf industry. My job entailed golf course photography Dye’s events, personnel course walkthrough with dignitaries and owners, grand openings, tournament exhibitions as well as trade show organizer and marketing coordinator.
I traveled the world with Golf Hall of Fame inductee Pete Dye and his oldest son Perry Dye. I possess the Dye family history in print and images. My images were published in many industry magazines with over 40 national and regional covers.
All that is history. Current clients are a few golf industry clients that reach out and a vertical architect in Flagler Beach. Occasionally golf course architects seek images from past shoots on courses to be restored or maybe someone is seeking Dye family images or information. I am a member of the USGA and Pete Dye Society. I do attend golf industry trade shows to stay in the loupe.
Primarily a landscape photographer shooting with Nikon cameras and lenses. I am licensed with the FAA as a UAS Part 107 drone pilot. I use DJI drones. I do all photoshop work in-house.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Pay attention to details. Photo shoot should meet perfection. If its a golf course, it has to be setup for play. Bunkers raked, freshly maintained, favorable weather, Every detail is important. When I capture an image it is my job to treat each image as if it is a potential cover shot. Same thing with architectural assignments. I rearrange, remove, add or remove elements. No clutter. Clean lines. Make a statement.
Every image should make the viewer feel like they are there in the moment.
Pricing:
- Meet your budget
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rollinggreens.us
Image Credits
Rolling Greens Photography/Ken May
