An Interview with Glenn T. Poulain:
Q: Where are you from originally?
A: Southern California
Q: How did you get your start in ocean photography?
A: Moved to Hawaii in 1998 and learned to dive. Shortly after that got interested in taking photo's of what I was seeing underwater. After a couple years I started Ocean Arts Hawaii and began marketing my work. My first commercial job was the Red Lobster Restaurant in Honolulu. Since that time we have done private showings, a variety of arts shows and galleries. We have been doing some work with the Outrigger Hotels over the last two years as well.
Q: How did you get started with photography in general?
A: I started photography underwater with a passion to take images of what I was experiencing underwater. Self taught.
Q: What is the best part about your job?
A: Diving and getting to review the images afterwards and discovering that one shot that made the dive worth it.
Q: What is a typical day like for you?
A: No day is typical per say. I work as a Chiropractor during the week and in between patients I am working on accounts. On the weekend I prepare for my dives by getting my equipment in order and performing inspections of my dive and camera gear.
Q: What kind of equipment do you shoot with? Both digital and film? A: Digital only. I started with film but the costs quickly became too much. Digital has come a long way and works out well for what I do.
Q: Have you ever had a scary experience while shooting underwater?
A: Yes…several. The biggest one was when a friend of mine upon surfacing had a rogue wave throw him into the rocks. His nose was almost completely severed of. We were still a long way from our exit point and fortunately some fisherman were near by and called for rescue to help both of us out of the water. Very traumatic but we survived and his surgery went well.
Q: What kind of places would we be able to see your work?
A: I have my work in several gift stores and galleries…and we just received an order for the South Carolina Aquarium. We also do a wide variety of fundraisers in the community that help create good will and gives us some nice exposure.
Q: How is it balancing both your passions and work for your chiropractic office and your photography?
A: I think the balance is good. Actually both are a passion for me and feel fortunate in that regards. Neither actually feels like work….and that is a good thing.
Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring ocean photographers?
A: Yes. Get the proper dive training first and continue with that training throughout your career. Never take the ocean for granted. Respect the marine life. Respect your dive and camera gear. Respect other divers and ocean goers. Move forward in life with passion whatever that may be.