Left to Right: Matey, Leighton, Robb, Seanix, Misten, Flynn and Ruby Long. Photo by Lisa Aust Photos.
ROBB LONG
A BIG-CITY COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHER LIVING IN SMALL-TOWN SOUTH DAKOTA
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eatles’ lead singer, John Lennon, is credited with the quote, “Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.” This perspective would be shared by Garretson, S.D. resident and photographer, Robb Long. If you would have asked the Virginia native back in 2001 where he would see himself, rural South Dakota likely would have been his last answer. That was before Robb met his wife, Misten, and had three young children together. Because of this, it makes sense that a photographer of Robb’s caliber lives in smalltown South Dakota. Robb describes his professional title as a “location advertising photographer”. This is a label that is well earned as he’s been involved in the industry since about the age of 14; this is when he got his first professional camera from his father who was a wedding photographer himself. This led Robb to doing photo shoots at sporting events for the local newspaper at the age of 16. Robb took photography classes in high school and continued to improve his craft into college at Marshall University. However, it
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wasn’t until he transferred to Savannah College of Art & Design where he received a degree and really took his abilities to the next level when he learned the intricacies of the profession.
Fall Issue 2021
SDSL