“It’s really cool to have your work featured, and it gives you that added layer of confidence. There’s something validating when you see your images in magazines, websites or billboards; it’s confirmation that someone else thinks your work is of good quality,” SooHoo said.
It’s never really about the recognition for SooHoo, who goes out of his way to assist whenever he’s needed. To him, it’s about using his craft for good and bringing joy to people who view his work.
“When people look at photos, they ask themselves, ‘is this a lifestyle that I can enjoy myself?’ You see a photo and try to relate to what the person in that photo is doing,” SooHoo said. “My hope is for people to see my photos and say ‘I could be having that kind of fun playing tennis,’ and that’s what I think about when I’m capturing the emotion in each shot.”
He added, “Tennis is a sport that I really know, but what makes photographing it exciting and challenging at the same time, is the anticipation factor. It can be difficult to get the ball right on or in front of the racquet, but capturing that or the raw emotion after a good or bad shot gives me a great sense of accomplishment, especially given the manner in which the photos will be used.”
SooHoo plans to work and volunteer at a number of upcoming New England tennis events with the ongoing goal of using his platform to encourage growth and participation of the game in New England and beyond.
For some of Carlton's recent work with USTA New England, click below:
National Tennis Month Boston Common Event
National Tennis Month Carter Playground Event
