In a telephone interview with none other than Mr. Gary Baum in Los Angeles, California. The Catshack Reports is pleased to provide the readership with some facts on the life and times of the man whose name has become synonymous with paintball photography.
To describe where it all began for Gary was a humorous story in itself. In 1986, Gary then in his younger years was extremely athletic and enjoyed bicycle racing as one of his favorite pastimes. One day while riding his mountain bike in the mountains of Malibu, a passing vehicle full of hooligans whipped a Coke at him as they drove by. About an hour later and some distance up the road Gary came upon the same vehicle parked near a plot of land. Of course the interest in the offending vehicle and its passengers brought Gary to a halt to see if he could see them. It was here at a local paintball field where the vehicle was in fact parked, that Gary had opportunity to observe his very first paintball game in progress, something he found very intriguing.
A few months later Gary bought his first paintball marker and (along with some 
very antiquated paintball equipment) proceeded to enter the game of paintball for himself. His interest primarily was woodsball and Gary played the game through the 90′s enjoying his days of slinging paint with his friends and associates.
Like many of us sometimes life gets in the way and soon work and building a family was what caused Gary to be forced to put his marker down. It was almost ten years later that his children, now old enough, wanted to play paintball and Gary was once again given reason to take the game of paintball back up again.
It wasn’t until 2001 that Gary’s son Brian suggested he come out to a paintball game specifically to photograph the session. Gary snapped up a cheap underwater camera and off he went to the field. The game official was both confused and unimpressed at Gary’s request to enter the field to take pictures. After some convincing he was finally allowed on the field but only for a short time before being asked to leave.
So began this sideline into paintball photography, not long after Brian suggested that Gary create a website to house his photography work…thus www.paintballphotography.com was officially born. It is important to note that in these early years these cutting edge ideas brought forth by Gary Baum was more or less the predecessor for paintball photography such as it has become today.
Over the years Gary Baum has traveled the world filming some of the greatest paintball games that ever happened. Some of his most memorable events were the 2003 European Millenium Event held in Paris, France. A team called “Excessive” from California emerged victorious overall. His other favorite all time event Gary had opportunity to witness happened in 2006, with the European team “Joy Division” who won the NPPL in San Diego, California.
An average event will have Gary appear with a full agenda handed to him from whichever magazine that has retained his services. Upon accomplishing the list of required photos, Gary will move on to follow any of the teams he personally sponsors and thereafter seek those candid shots. I recall a thread that was discussed on the X3 Paintball magazine forum discussing what photographers are looking for on the field. The answer is color, teams and individuals with colorful appearances do well for the camera as opposed to black or dark colored clothing. Gary goes on to explain that as a photographer on the field or tournament court has him very aggressive to get just the right shots.
As Ryan McDonald of PBLive so aptly put it, “Gary Baum knows everyone in the game and is one of the most humble people you will ever meet”. This interview proved Ryan was right on the money.
Gary’s media release is as follows:
Based in Southern California and has been involved in Paintball for over 20 years Gary Baum has been photographing all types of paintball events all over North America, Latin America and Europe. He was one of the pioneers of paintball photography and is the owner of the largest paintball photography web site www.paintballphotography.com. His photos have appeared in major paintball publications and media.
Gary Baum is one of the most familiar faces in tournament and scenario paintball in North America. He is one of the few paintball photographers that photographs every aspect of the sport from airsoft to paintball scenarios to major international tournaments. He has shot all forms of paintball all over the world for more paintball publications and companies than any other active photographer in his industry
Gary Baum worked as a media adviser to the USPL and NPPL and he currently serves as the Media Consultant to the USPL and Media Liaison to the PSP.
Here’s a few more Cat Facts for you, the readers …did you know Gary sponsors Russian Legion, Joy Division, Excessive and Distraction? Did you know that paintball photography is NOT Gary Baum’s full time career? ….that’s right Gary explains that his full time job is in fact as an Orthodontist. Gary photographs paintball and reinvests in his company for camera equipment and expenses. What is admirable is the fact that all the other funds he collects go directly to support paintball and tournament events, now how cool is that?
In short and as Gary explains it, he does paintball photography for one reason, he loves it! In Gary’s own words “always remember this is just a game, if you’re not having fun you might as well go home”.
The Catshack couldn’t agree more …welcome to The Catshack Hall of Fame Dr. Baum!
