Discovering unique photographic subjects can sometimes come from the most unexpected places. For Las Vegas-based commercial photographer Greg Anderson, it was a local newspaper that sparked an intriguing personal project. Stumbling upon a mention of the National Beard and Mustache Championships, Anderson realized he had narrowly missed the 2012 event, held just a stone’s throw from his studio. This near-miss ignited a determination to capture the character and artistry on display at the next competition, a vision that would ultimately result in a series of striking portraits worthy of platforms like PetaPixel.
Driven by the regret of missing the previous year’s championships, Anderson proactively reached out to the event organizers. Establishing contact and building a relationship over the following year, he secured the opportunity to shoot portraits at the 2013 National Beard and Mustache Championships in exchange for providing images for their media use. This commitment, however, meant Anderson would personally shoulder the travel and production expenses for the New Orleans event. Despite the personal investment of time and money, he recognized the immense potential for compelling new work.
The project was more than just about adding to his portfolio. Anderson envisioned creating a curated collection of 20-25 of the most captivating portraits to be compiled into a short, impactful picture book. This tangible promo piece, he reasoned, would hold far more value for advertising agencies than typical disposable print promos. His aim was to produce something timeless and thoughtfully crafted, a keepsake that agencies would be inclined to retain and share.
As the editing process commenced for his book, Anderson was already reaping unexpected rewards. He was invited to return to the 2014 World Beard and Mustache Championships, this time as the official event photographer. This invitation underscored the immediate impact and recognition his personal project had garnered within the niche community.
To achieve the high level of detail and quality evident in his portraits, Anderson relied on a Mamiya 645DF camera paired with a Schneider 80mm LS lens and a Leaf Aptus ii 7 digital back. The majority of the images were captured at ISO 100, an aperture of f/7.1, and a shutter speed of 1/250th of a second. Lighting was meticulously controlled using a five-light Dynalite strobe setup.
Explore the complete collection of striking portraits from the National Beard and Mustache Championships in this Facebook album.
About the photographer: Greg Anderson is a commercial photographer based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Discover more of his work on Facebook and his website.
