The pictures posted on Instagram, highlighted from sports games ranging from baseball to football, have a certain sparkle. They look so alluring and professional that you almost have to force yourself to look away. Captured by a fellow student, the photographer behind the camera is none other than senior Cael Herron.
Looking for a new hobby after his sophomore year’s baseball season ended, Herron decided to take up photography and videography. With money saved up, his first step was to buy equipment.
“A lot of [my equipment] I bought used so it wasn’t as expensive as it would have been new, and I had a lot of money saved up which helped out. On birthdays and Christmas, I would usually ask for [equipment],” Herron said.
After learning from various sources like YouTube and trial and error processes, his mentor, however, was the most prominent influence in his career. A Millard North alumni, Connor Michaud, was a friend of Herron’s and is now a sophomore at Mount Marty University in Yankton, South Dakota introduced him to the world of photography and guided him through it all.
“One of my old baseball friends, Connor, did photography and I realized that when he graduated someone would need a photographer,” Herron said.
Even with Michaud a state away, his guidance carries on with Herron and is evident in his presence as a photographer.
Herron proceeds and improves in his career, besides his parents, grandparents, and friends as supporters, as he plans on continuing with photography. Senior football player Pierce Mooberry, who has known Herron since middle school acknowledges his dedication to photography.
“He’s very passionate about what he does. He’s a great guy and a great friend,” Mooberry said.
As Herron makes his transition to his professional career with higher education, he isn’t going to let his passion slip away. Majoring in Construction Management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he intends to minor in photography.
Herron doesn’t doubt that photography has immensely impacted his development as an individual. What he appreciates most is how it shapes his interactions with others, from his friends to those he’s never met.
“[Photography] connects me with people,” Herron said. “It makes them feel good and it makes me feel good.”
Herron is a photographer, but first and foremost, a Millard North student. When he photographs Millard North games, he usually doesn’t make students and his friends pay. For other schools, Herron charges $20 for all photos taken of players he photographs. Regardless of the client or audience, Herron strives to deliver his best product. He wants to give his community the best photos and works to find how to capture them.
“What I think makes a good photo is when the picture is built around a subject and when it tells a story,” Herron said. “[What I look for] is a cool and different perspective while also capturing a certain moment.”
After games or events, Herron is selective and detailed about what photos to post on Instagram that justly showcase his talent. Using Adobe Lightroom software, Herron usually takes around 5 minutes to edit a picture.
“I choose the best [photographs] to post, and I’ll edit all of those. If people ask me for photos I’ll go back and edit those to send them,” Herron said.
His hard work developing pictures is recognized by senior football player Spencer Phillips, with whom Herron plays baseball. When the football team was asked if they could be photographed, they jumped at the opportunity.
“He does a good job, he puts a lot of time into his pictures and edits them. He gets them back to us fast,” Phillips said.
Mac Johnson, a student photographer at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is one of Herron’s inspirations whom he looks to for guidance and new ideas.
“He always has really creative shots and is always getting good pictures,” Herron said.
Johnson’s creativity, Michaud’s mentorship, and Herron’s dedication have all come together and significantly impacted his journey and where he is today.
“I can see a clear difference from when I started [photography] versus where I am now,” Herron said. “The best thing you can do is research and ask questions. People out there know a lot more than you do [and can show you the ropes].”
As Herron once was a beginner looking to Michaud for inspiration, Herron encourages new photographers who are in the same situation he once was in. It’s never too late to find your spark and what inspires you.