Theme parks offer some of the best places to learn so many aspects about photography. It's great for challenging your skills.
I remember seeing Randy Davidson’s photography for the first time on the Facebook group Busch Gardens Williamsburg Insiders. I loved the vibrant colors, crispness of motion, and angles he would capture some of my favorite coasters at the park. Then I began to see more of his work. He didn’t just take amazing photos of rides, he shot pretty much anything and everything you could find inside the boundaries of Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW). Whether it was the wildlife or show performers, Randy’s photos captured how lively the park truly is – even during some the slowest times in the industry when the world shut down for Covid-19.
Talking mostly about his fondness for amusement parks and roller coasters in Part 1 of this interview, Part 2 focuses on Randy’s love of photography and how that passion came to be. His first foray dates back to the days of 35mm, but it wasn’t until the introduction of digital photography that Randy’s exploration of the camera truly began. Don’t let me tell you. Let’s find out from Randy himself.
Photos Courtesy of Randy Davidson
Coming Into Focus
Introduction to Photography
Q. How long have you been into photography? Are we talking 35mm days or did you start off digital?
A. I was interested in photography when I was younger, around my teen years. I used to turn in my film and find out a week later if I had at least one photo turn out. Digital came much later. I will blame my wife, Andrea, for my jump to digital.
Q. What caused your initial fascination with cameras and taking photos?
A. My initial fascination was shooting bands. I was really into metal music and wanted to photograph the bands to keep awesome memories of the ones who I had seen. This fell to the wayside somewhat when I was two metal band called Holy Right and Iron Wrath. Between recording an album and playing shows, it didn’t allow too much time to cultivate my photo journey.
Q. Do you remember your first camera? If so, what was it? What kind of equipment did you use in those early days?
A. My first real camera was an old 35mm Nikon. It was given to me by a guy who I helped do a ton of yardwork. He got it while in the military, stationed in Korea.
Q. Are you self-taught, or did someone give you instruction?
A. I am pretty much self-taught. Digital photography made it easier to just put the camera on auto, point, click, and get decent shots. As my wife and I started shooting wild birds and animals, however, it became very frustrating. I ended up with just a blur and that started me on manual mode. That was a whole other frustration until I started shooting at BGW. There’s where I started to learn more about my camera.
Q. My first introduction to your photography was through what you’ve done at BGW. Long before you began doing your amusement park photography, what were some of your early photography subjects?
A. Mostly the bands in the beginning, but that faded away. When we moved to Virginia, my wife bought a camera to shoot wildlife. I got mine soon after. We would spend our weekends finding places to hike and shoot wildlife – mostly reptiles, snakes, alligators, etc. Of course, we’d shoot beautiful scenery too.
Q. How often did you find yourself holding a camera back then?
A. Not too much in the beginning. Not like it is now when I’m at a park. I feel naked without my camera. Don’t feel right without it.
Setting the Aperture
Randy Davidson Photography
Q. When did you begin to look at photography as something more than just a hobby?
A. A couple of years ago I began shooting more people-centric photos. People would say that I should do it professionally. At the time, however, I didn’t have any confidence in what I was doing. I would look at other photographers on Instagram and judge my work against theirs. I’d think mine was in no way like theirs and I’d never achieve that kind of professionalism.
After a while I started to get people asking me to shoot photos for them, mainly Christine Otay, Mallory Ham, and Emily Douglas. Then there was the endless encouragement from my wife. With those confidence boosters I finally said one day, “If I’m going to do this, I need to do it right now and fully commit to it.” Well, along with my full-time job.
Q. What type of thoughts went into wanting to pursue your photography as a means of income?
A. You know how expensive cameras are. Still, it was a way to pay for newer equipment and try to supplement a little extra income. Maybe it could help support my theme park addiction?
Q. Is Randy Davidson Photography your full-time job, or is it something you do on the side?
A. It’s definitely a side job – one that I love dearly. I do work a full-time job that pays the bills. Maybe one day later in life I can switch to doing it full time. I have a plan.
Q. Can you talk about some of the different types of photography you do?
A. I’ve done all sorts of photography: family, graduation, couples, and lifestyle. I love them all, but the photos I love taking the most are single person shoots. They’re more personal, where you can capture the subject’s personality. I can’t forget my new favorite, cosplay. That is so much fun to capture.
Q. I see you’ve had some of your work published. Care to share where?
A. I was fortunate enough to have singer/songwriter, Brian Elder, ask me to do photos for him. He was working in the amazing BGW show, Celtic Fyre. We ended up doing an awesome session and he asked if I would mind him using them for an interview. I said, “Sure. No problem.” A few weeks later he said to me, “Randy. You are now a published photographer.”
I greatly appreciate Brian for this opportunity. He combined photos I took live at Celtic Fyre with the ones from his photo session. Check out the September 2022 issue of Red Luxury (pages 78-81) to see the interview. Also check out Brian’s Instagram (@Brian_Elder).
Q. I’m sure you still partake in photography for your own enjoyment too. Other than doing it at the amusement parks, what are some things you enjoy capturing on camera for your own enjoyment?
A. I enjoy when my wife and I get a chance to go exploring and photographing wildlife and scenery. I love shooting flowers.
Q. What type of camera and equipment are you currently using?
A. I just got a Nikon Z7ii mirrorless camera. It’s amazing. Still, it’s a learning curve. As for lenses, I use two. The first is a 50mm f/1.8 for close-up, single-person shots or very low light. Works well for the scare actors at the park. The second is an 18-140mm lens. It’s my everyday lens. It does very well for group shots, landscapes, and I love it for coaster photos.
Q. How has your passion for photography influenced your life in a positive way?
A. That’s a good question. I don’t talk about this much, but I have bad anxiety. At times, it causes other issues that are kind of debilitating. With that said, being able to focus on learning, working on my photography, and starting a business helped so much. It’s helped me to refocus and with some rough times.
Last winter I stepped out of my comfort zone to host a basic online photography course for the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) Mid-Atlantic region.
And without photography, I wouldn’t have met so many awesome people like you, Patrick.
Setting the Speed
Amusement Park Photography
Q. Was it natural for you to combine your passion for photography with your love of amusement parks?
A. It was for sure. Some of the things I love photographing outside of parks can all be found in one location – my home park, BGW. It’s the most beautiful theme park. I can go around and photograph animals, people, beautiful flowers, and shows all in the same day as learning to shoot coasters and rides. I learned a lot about lighting shooting at parks. I keep telling people I learned most of what I know about photography inside theme parks.
If you have a pass, or visit a park a lot, take your camera with you. Look for opportunities, like I did, to learn something new. Or let me know and I’ll go with you.
Q. Do you remember the first time you went into an amusement park with the intention of taking photos throughout the day?
A. I don’t remember the first time, but there have been many days where, in my head, I had to go just to shoot. I had it in my mind to get certain things for content. Other days, I have gone for the sole purpose of relieving my anxiety and stress levels. It always works too.
Q. How often do you do this now? Do you always take your camera with you to the parks you visit?
A. Ha! I’d say 95 percent of the time.
Q. Is it hard to dedicate the proper amount of time to both passions at the same time? While taking photos do you feel the pull of wanting to jump on a ride, or maybe wanting to photograph something while riding?
A. Yes. I feel that pull often. Sometimes I have taken videos while on rides with a GoPro too, getting to combine both. I want a sunset ride on Griffon one day. Always wanted to have a camera up there to capture that sunset.
Q. Is it easier to dedicate more time to taking photos at the parks you visit more regularly, such as BGW or Kings Dominion?
A. Definitely at BGW. I live 15 minutes away and it makes it so easy to just head over and grab photos. At Kings Dominion I try to grab more photos, however, due to not visiting as much. I also have to make sure Andrea has enough content for KD Photo Fan (@KDPhotoFan).
Q. I’m betting having BGW as your home park is quite nice as a photographer. Can you share some of your favorite spots throughout the park to shoot?
A. Sure. Here are a few, in no particular order. 1. Down at the bottom of the Rhine River. There you can capture three major coasters and the view is nice. 2. Standing below Griffon’s drop and over by patio of Josephine’s Ice Cream. I can capture three different angels and the amazing reactions from riders from those spots.
Q. Has it always been your aim to showcase all the different facets found at parks in your photography?
A. It’s something I strive to do. I like to showcase what is happening at the park during different seasons. For example, right now at BGW it’s Howl-O-Scream and most of my content is geared toward that. It also happens to be my favorite time to take pictures, as you can tell from my page. Christmas is right around the corner and the park will be transitioning into Christmas Town, which I also love.
Q. Do you ever find yourself at a park not taking photos? Perhaps if you’re visiting a park for the first time and wanting to experience all the rides? Or maybe bad weather days, or parks you’ve visited too many times to count?
A. The only time was during a trip to Florida, with my wife, to visit Sea World Orlando (SWO) and Universal Studios Florida for the first time. She said no cameras, so we could focus on our time together. It was hard not having a camera, but was such a great trip for both of us.
Q. Other than BGW, can you talk about some of the other parks you’ve visited that you love to photograph the most? What about them appeals to you as a photographer?
A. Carowinds offers great views for coaster photography. Being able to stand under Fury 325 as the train flies by and capturing people’s looks is priceless. Copperhead Strike lets you stand right under those first loops too. Dollywood offers beauty throughout the park second only to BGW, in my opinion. It offers a ton of photo opportunities. Universal is great in the Harry Potter regions, which are so amazing. Plus Velocicoaster… Nuff said!
Zooming Out
Outlook for the Future
Q. What are some of your future goals for Randy Davidson Photography?
A. First, to grow as a photographer and learn as much as I can to better serve the needs of my clients and future clients. Second, grow as a brand that everyone can trust.
Q. When it comes to amusement parks, what are some parks you’d love to spend a few hours at with your camera? What appeals to you about each of those locations?
A. Cedar Point and Hersheypark come to mind. Their history and abundance of coasters is exciting.
Q. We talked about Howl-O-Scream and Christmas Town earlier. Are you gearing up for featuring BGW during the winter holidays in the weeks and months to come?
A. I am. It’s my second favorite time of the year at the park. I’m a sucker for everything Christmas.
Q. If someone out there is interested in photography, either combining it with their passion for amusement parks, or just in general, what advice would you give them?
A. Theme parks offer some of the best places to learn so many aspects of photography. It’s great for challenging your skills. Find others out there who shoot what interests you and ask them questions. I have been blessed to have so many people like Todd Ferrante, Craig Hill, and Rob Kodi to bounce questions off whenever I have them. They have been so supportive.
Q. Is there anything you’d like to share about photography, or being a photographer, before we wrap up that was not covered?
A. Photography, for me, is a passion. Never stop learning about your passions. Always take that shot! If you’re ever at BGW and want to go shooting, hit me up on my Instagram and let’s do it. Thanks, Patrick, for letting me ramble about my two favorite things – photography and coasters.
