ARTIST SPOTLIGHT – Chad Roylance
BY HAILEY MINTON
Chad Roylance takes pictures for the joy of it, and he makes his work available to anyone who wants his images for personal use. “Sometimes, I’ll ask people to send me a picture of my image hanging in their home.” All he asks is for photo credit. Of all the time and money he has invested, he said he has probably made around $500 from his hobby. “It’s not about the money for me,” he said. If you visit his Facebook page, there is a link to a Dropbox account, where you can download some of his more popular images for free.
Landscape photography is Chad’s niche. He loves how dynamic landscapes are. One of his favorite subjects is The Major during the two weeks around Veteran’s Day; it can be seen hanging in the canyon. His wife knows he will be at the canyon taking pictures early in the mornings and in the evenings to capture the flag as the lighting, weather, and wind change what he captures. He loves taking pictures of local places because he really values the local beauty. Chad helps us see how truly spectacular our surroundings are, even if we can’t always be at the right place at the right time to witness a magnificent scene with our own eyes for only a moment. He captures those moments and gives anyone the ability to enjoy that beauty for days to come. Chad shares his work regularly on the North Ogden Facebook groups and helps foster a sense of awe, gratitude, and delight within the community of North Ogden.
His hobby for photography really started expanding during COVID-19, when he had more time on his hands. He was self-taught with the guidance of other great photographers with whom he networked through Facebook groups and Instagram. “We really have so many talented people in the area. So many are willing to share their knowledge.” He co-owns a plumbing business by day and teaches plumbing at the Ogden ATC at night. In the past, he has been asked to photograph other things like weddings and photos of people. Repair plumbing is his world of expertise, and sometimes he has been approached to do work outside of that. He said there are other people who are better at doing those specific niches of work. Whether it is his plumbing business or photography, he is happy to pass along work to someone who is more experienced in a niche outside of his own. He is also very happy to pay it forward by passing on what he has learned to aspiring photographers who have questions. “I’m definitely not an expert,” he admitted; the people who did the same thing for him certainly made a big difference.
Upcoming Art Events
Oct 1 – 31: Spider Web Take Home Craft @ North Branch Library (all day)
Oct 7: First Friday Art Stroll @ 25th Street 6 – 9 p.m.
Oct 15: Empty Bowls Event – Food, Pottery, & Fun! @ Eccles Art Center 4 – 7 p.m. ($15 – all proceeds benefit the Weber Cares Food Pantry. More info: monicalinfordweber.edu)
Oct 21: A Framework of Spirituality & World Religions Art Competition: Call for Entry Deadline @ Eccles Art Center 9:30 a.m.
Oct 27: Art Class: Charcoal Pumpkin Still-Life @ North Branch Library 7 p.m.