Kirk Englehardt: The Mystery Behind The Lens
From Game Over to the mystery behind Old Haunts, we have all come across Kirk Englehardt’s work in some way or another.
Most recently, Assman (pictured on the right), was displayed in the NFT NYC SATELLITE ART EXHIBIT: JT Liss X @PenguloveNFT.
Or maybe, just maybe, you recognize him from Sol City Radio’s GM song (tune in below).
That’s right!.. He’s the man behind the voice and fun tune that gets our day going. G—M!
What do all these have in common?
The freedom to create through endless possibilities of exploration.
The Philanthropist
Kirk is first and foremost a talented photographer.
He is also the VP of Marketing and Communications for a philanthropic foundation and they both go hand in hand.
He goes on to explain a little bit about his job and what he’d like to see from his photography below
“We support local nonprofits that change people's lives every day.
My day job has an impact.
A direct impact on the community where I grew up, got married, and now where my kids are growing up.
It's the most fulfilling job I've ever had.
The good day job makes my photography "habit" possible.
One powers the other.
Like my day job, I want my photography to have an impact on people too.
I want them to get something out of the work, emotionally.
I'm not sure I can change anyone's trajectory with my photos, but if I can make someone feel appreciated, less alone, a little more understood, or a part of something bigger - that would feel great to me.”
There is no doubt that his philanthropic work is engrained in his photography.
It’s pretty much part of his entire being as a person and goes the extra mile to support his friends and others.
Two of his photos, in particular, Tyre Nichols was a Man and Weathering the Storm, were pieces whose proceeds or part of them were donated to either a foundation or fellow community member in need.
Beyond a Pandemic
For many, the pandemic became a time of self-discovery and learning new ways to keep ourselves busy and entertained as many had become isolated in their own homes.
For Kirk, it most definitely became a way to explore and play having joined an online photo club.
The photo club itself was a way to push himself having been new to photography then.
Each exercise had a different prompt/category to photograph.
We can all definitely identify with the following Anger category and the fear of the unknown.
Storytelling
When I first started talking to Kirk I could easily tell how detailed he was.
If you’ve never had a chance to ask him about his photography, I recommend doing so.
Kirk has a way with words and he transports you to the day he took a photograph, not only through the image but through his description down to a T.
His style is ever-evolving and he is not afraid to try new approaches as in his most recent series Old Haunts.
Kirk describes his process as follows:
“I love a good story.
Much of my work revolves around a story.
Sometimes it's very random.
I am not a studio photographer and I don't over-plan what I shoot.
I work organically.
I put myself in interesting situations at interesting places with interesting people and challenge myself to make magic happen.”
Such magic happened when he found himself at this ornate mansion built in 1918.
Although he could not fully stage the scenes as he was there for work purposes, when he finally came home he found the moments he did get alone, he had captured a mystery in the making.
The collection consisted of 5 photos and a 6th airdrop for collectors of the full set.
In his own words, Kirk describes his approach and a new challenge.
“I wrote a short fictional story to go with the collection, which was new for me.
Each image in the set is a chapter of the story and each room has its own unique story to tell.
It's my first try, so don't expect a NY Times Bestseller, but it was a challenge.
A flex of a new creative muscle.
And a creative way to cut through the noise and get people's attention.
I also created a companion ebooklet for the collection with all of the minted shots, the full story, and 6 additional pieces shot at the mansion that are not yet minted.
Other firsts for this set include the use of AI.
It aided parts of the story writing but didn't write the story because the text output of AI is pretty awful - especially for fiction.
I also used AI to create images of the two lead characters in the story.
It was fun and something new to try.
Rest assured that the minted photos are 100% human created - shot by me on location.
No AI is involved with those at all.”
What’s Next?
Whatever it may be, rest assured that Kirk Englehardt will be telling a good story (dramatic reading of chapter 5 to the left).
Fear will most definitely not be the thing to keep him from creating but rather push him to his next adventure.
Kirk will always be there supporting us all and has the following advice:
“Don't let fear stop you from trying new things.
Otherwise, you may never find out what you're really good at.
If I'd been afraid to pick up that dusty camera at the office and learn how to use it - where would I be?
If I never joined a local photo club during the pandemic and shared pictures with local peers and made friends with the same passion, where would I be?
If I gave up when my first series on OpenSea was a complete disaster, where would I be?
Heck, if we're being real - if I never asked my wife to marry me - I'm not sure I'd be alive today.
Take the chance. Just try. Fail. And try again.
I always tell my boys, when they hesitate, just do the best you can.
That's all I ever ask...and expect.”
