Tuesday Toolbox: Amy McConnell

Amy McConnell found a career by attending GNCC races. Twenty-two years ago she attended her very first GNCC race with her husband Glenn, and was instantly hooked. She started taking photos of her friends, and then 5 years ago, started her very own company, XCountry Photos, where she sells the photos she takes every weekend. Check out Amy's story now in this week's Tuesday Toolbox.

 

Hey Amy, What are you up to today? I'm sorting through photos from the North Carolina race for GBC Motorsports, Rath Racing, HMF, Rekluse and several other individuals that I take care of throughout the year.

I saw on Facebook that you just had a birthday, how was it? Just another day, another year older and another excuse to feed my face and eat cake! (Laughs)

One of the things we want to find out is how you became a race photographer at the GNCCs! When did you start coming to the GNCCs? Glenn and I went to our first GNCC race 22 years ago to watch our friend Jarrod Gruca. It was held in Elizabeth, WV. It was so cool to watch Barry Hawk and Chad Duvall racing on Honda 250Rs on tight and technical tracks. I will never forget the mud fleas sliding down the hill and into the creek. Watching Pro row was very exciting. They actually had to change tires when they got flats. So, it came down to who had the quickest pit stop like Nascar. Glenn didn't care for motorcross and we decided to give it a try. We both became addicted as spectators and soon became groupies for the past 20 years.

Your husband races GNCCs now, right? Yes, Glenn currently races Senior A 40+ and will soon join the Super Senior 50+ after summer break.

Had you grown up around racing? No, but I would occassionally hang out at the local motorcross track at Malvern, OH to pick up guys.

(Laughs) That's great. So do you ever ride or race yourself? I have never raced but every chance I get I'm riding out at my parents property. Glenn and I used to ride with a group of friends at Wellsville, Ohio a lot until GNCC came into our lives. I used to rip it up on my Honda 300ex.

When did you start taking photos at the races? I have been taking racing photos for over 20 years. I started out taking MX pictures of our buddies and then it was all about the harescrambles. I love the hands-on action-packed photos that I capture and share with others.

Had you always been interested in photography, or was this something you just picked up at the races? I have always had a camera in my hand since I was 5 years old. My dad had the top of the line Cannon 35mm. He finally had to buy me a point-n-shoot camera so that I would leave his alone.

How did you learn to do race photography? Wow, a lot of trial and error! Glenn does all the research on what cameras and lenses to purchase. Laz Sommers helped me make the switch from auto to manual shots about 4 years ago. Kenny "Pappy" Hill has helped me out a lot at the tracks since we both have Nikon equipment. I have many books for "Dummies" laying around the house for everything!

When did you start XCountry Photo? And why? I would guess about 5 years ago. Laz Sommers gave me a Quadzone domain to play around with and I started posting and selling photos. For the love of the sport, I decided to take this photographer a little further and try to make it my career.

What are you hoping to achieve with XCountry Photo? I would love to become a full-time photog for a magazine or work for one of the larger companies in the industry. I'm pretty happy with how things are going and I will try to survive the slow economy just like all the other photographers.

I just shot my first race EVER at the ATV MX this past weekend, it was definitely some hard work. What are some of the fun experiences you've had out on the track taking photos? Oh man, lets just say there's alot of drinking and other stuff that goes on out there on the tracks. Spectators can be quite entertaining! I love to watch and shoot the mud fleas helping out the quad riders.

What's your favorite photo you've ever taken at a race? I would have to say the Jerime Dudding U2 holeshot crash photos from the Big Buck SC race last year. Simply because everyone walked away.

How did you get hooked up with the GT Thunder gang? You seem pretty close with them and also with Brian Wolf. I guess it was back in 2003-04. Glenn and I met Laz at a local CRA race. Laz used to race and test parts at harescrambles. It's just one big happy-go-lucky family of friends and riders. Don't let Laz full you at the races, he knows how to have fun and where to do it! I just got to know the Wolf family the past couple years. Brian and Annie are a HOOT!


You also freelance with Quadzone, how did you get involved with that web site? Geesh, I guess Laz has been a big part of my career....Thank you Lazarus!! Yep, he got me set up posting pics for QZ and I continue a working relationship with him and several others at the website.

Awesome, Amy! It was great hearing about your start with GNCCs. Is there anyone you'd like to thank?Thank you Racer Productions for having a great series for all of us to enjoy and to those who support me on & off the track! I especially want to thank Glenn!