Ed Rode

need to add coursework, syllabi, class #s
best of student work

Photojournalism Instructor + Advisor
Journalism and Mass Communications Department
Murray State University – Murray, Kentucky (2019–Current)

Currently teach a 12 credit hour load per semester in the Journalism and Mass Communication department. Led workshops, classroom presentations in the “Meet the Pros” program in 2019. Advise student newspaper, advise students, (etc…..)

Media Photo Advisor
Vanderbilt University Student Communications – Nashville, Tennessee (2018–2020)

Provide oversight, support, and ethics coaching for student-sponsored publications. Instruct students on the use of analog and digital cameras, software techniques, ethics, and responsibilities for photojournalism.

Media Immersion Instructor
Vanderbilt University Student Communications – Nashville, TN (2018–2019)
Provide oversight, support and ethics coaching for student-sponsored publications. Instruct students on the use of analog and digital cameras, software techniques, ethics and photojournalism responsibilities. Teach the photo track program including social media, editorial strategies, art techniques, lighting, portraiture, photojournalism, and sports photography.  

Adjunct Professor of Digital Photography 
O’More College of Design – Nashville, Tennessee (2006–2008)

Instructor and lecturer for computer-based courses on digital photography. Goals included increasing photographic skills through the use of computer and software programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Developed lesson plans from weekly course outline; adapted content, presentations and projects to inform and motivate students. Assessed assignments and exams; assigned course grades.

Adjunct Professor of Photojournalism 
Western Kentucky University – Bowling Green, Kentucky (1998–1999)

Delivered lectures and led hands-on classes introducing the basics of traditional and digital photojournalism. Facilitated review and critique sessions using theoretical models of art and provided guided direction for project outcomes. Developed lesson plans from weekly course outline; adapted content, presentations and examples to inform and motivate students. Assessed assignments and exams; assigned course grades.

Visual Media Advisor and Visiting Lecturer
Northwestern University – Evanston, Illinois (1993–1996)

Evaluated and set goals for student-generated semester visual media projects. Developed and delivered lectures and presentations on trending photography and visual media issues. Provided instruction on the use of analog film and cameras, darkroom and lab processes and safety. Demonstrated digital photography camera use. 

Corporate Photographer + Videographer
Pilot Corp.; Dave & Buster’s Inc.; Bridgestone Americas; Jack Daniel’s Distillery

Provide visuals, 360 panoramas and social media content for Dave & Buster’s advertising, marketing, branding and retail operations. Scouted over 50 cities to shoot key architecture and landmarks where new stores opened to visually tell a city’s story. Provided images for restaurant wall designs, investor portfolios, online and social media promotions and advertisements. Create images for Bridgestone’s high-profile campaigns including the Olympics, Super Bowl promotions and World Golf Championships. Shoot brand imagery for Pilot Corp. and Jack Daniel’s marketing, advertising, product launches, social media campaigns, magazine ads and investor materials.

Owner + Operator, Ed Rode North America (Current) 
Multimedia – Nashville, TN (Current) 

Own and operate professional video production and photography business. Wide range of corporate work includes multimedia content for websites, social media, annual reports, marketing, advertising, branding, sporting events and documentary event coverage. Content published in numerous national magazines, including People, TIME, Rolling Stone and Sports Illustrated. Work with corporate clients include Martha White, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, Sony PlayStation, State of Tennessee Department of Tourism and many others. 

Photographer + Videographer 
Vanderbilt University Medical Center – Nashville, TN (2015–Current) 

Provide video and photography of the operating rooms, surgical procedures, staff, buildings and other department collateral for use in the recruitment and education of employees, patients and media for Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Visuals used to tell patient stories and promote the Medical Center’s brand. 

Multimedia Photographer
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville – Nashville, TN (2018–Current) 

Document the building and dedication of Habitat houses through still, video and drone photography as families and volunteers construct homes. Provide video and stills for Habitat fundraising events, social media campaigns, magazine ads and other support materials. 

Photography Editor
Nashville Arts & Entertainment Magazine – Nashville, TN (2016–2018)

Responsible for all aspects of photography including shooting still life in studio, as well as traveling for shoots, editing, retouching, color correcting, and archiving all images. Worked closely with the editorial team to ensure that brand expectations were met and strong content was created across all platforms. 

Director of Photography: Sports Nashville Magazine – Nashville, TN (2004–2006)

Directed cover photography, portraits, events and sports action photo coverage for this magazine, covering the NFL, NBA, NHL and major SEC college sports. Responsible for story development, art direction and the magazine’s assignment coverage.

Managing Partner: Vision 3 Interactive Design – Nashville, TN (1995–2010)

Owned and operated this digital marketing and interactive media business specializing in digital content creation, outreach campaigns, marketing, website development and storefront web solutions. 

Photojournalism Experience

Award-winning photojournalist at several large-market newspapers covering a wide variety of features and breaking news under tight deadlines. Covered SEC college sports, professional football, golf, major league baseball, hard news, fashion and more.

Nashville Banner, Staff: Nashville, Tennessee 1990–1995
Knoxville News Sentinel, Intern: Knoxville, Tennessee 1988–1989
Kansas City Star, Intern: Kansas City, Missouri 1987–1988
Grand Rapids Press, Freelance: Grand Rapids, Michigan 1982–1986

Still photography, video production, drone photography, 360° panoramas, multimedia storytelling, field audio recording; Photoshop, Lightroom, Adobe Creative Suite, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, iMovie, audio editing; WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, CMS platforms; Mac operating systems; Microsoft Word, PowerPoint; Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), TikTok, YouTube, Vimeo, Pinterest, Snapchat.

EXHIBITS + GALLERY SHOWS 

The Bluebird Cafe 

“Songwriting Legends” – Nashville, Tennessee (2017–2019; 1993–1996) 

First photographer to exhibit portraits of songwriters with this show at The Bluebird Cafe, a nationally known Nashville hotspot presenting original country and acoustic music. The exhibit captured images and visually told the stories of these brilliant songwriters, catching them behind-the-scenes in their creative songwriting environments. The exhibit was asked to return several times through the years. In 2017, another installation marked The Bluebird Cafe’s 35th anniversary as part of an extended photo exhibit at the club. The exhibit’s opening included an “in the round” performance and dedication by songwriters Tony Arata, Kendell Marvel and Andy Albert. 

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum – Nashville, Tennessee (2015–2018) 

Various images have been on display as part of ongoing exhibits of country music acts. This museum, located in downtown Nashville, has been called the “Smithsonian of Country Music,” celebrated for its broad cultural impact, educational mission and unrivaled collection of historically important artifacts. 

Annenberg Space for Photographers Iris Nights Lecture Series – Los Angeles, California (2014) “A City of Masters: Nashville’s Songwriters & Musicians” 

Invited to be a featured photographer and noted presenter for the “Country: Portraits of an American Sound” exhibition. Contributions to the exhibit enriched the gallery’s visual story of the pioneers, poets and icons of country music. Guest curators for this exhibit are Shannon Perich of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and Tim Davis and Michael McCall of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. 

The Arts Company 

“Nashville” – Nashville, Tennessee (2012) 

Exhibited compelling photography capturing the historical and architectural sites in and around the metropolitan area of Nashville. This show contributed to the gallery’s mission of maintaining a presence of distinctively fresh, original and contemporary artwork in downtown Nashville. 

Vanderbilt University Medical Center 

Nashville Songwriters & Musicians – Nashville, Tennessee (2008–2009) 

Developed a year-long exhibit of original photographs, giving the campus a vibrant sense of place. The exhibit contributed to the prestige and identity of the institution for staff, patients and visitors and showcased the world-renowned country music industry in Nashville. 

Imagerie Gallery 

“Cityscapes, Songwriters & Musicians” – Grand Rapids, Michigan (2008–2009) 

This exhibit showcased one-of-a-kind photography and acrylic pieces on subjects including Nashville Cityscapes, Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, Rascal Flatts, Brooks & Dunn and Chet Atkins, among others.

Bridgestone Americas Headquarters 

“Architecture & Portraits” – Nashville, Tennessee (2010–2015) 

Original photographs dedicated to The Music City selected to fill the Welcome Center and lobby of Bridgestone Americas Headquarters. This display welcomed thousands of visitors and set the tone for the company’s new business initiatives. 

Arts at the Airport – Nashville International Airport “Songwriters & Musicians” – Nashville, Tennessee (2007–2008) 

Original artwork and photographs selected to be part of BNA’s Arts at the Airport, an ever-growing, ever-changing showcase of cultural diversity and creative talent in Tennessee. These portraits of songwriters and musicians adorned the walls of the terminal and surrounding facilities, rotating among public art exhibits and permanent acquisitions. 

Harding Art Show 

Various Pieces – Nashville, Tennessee (2008–2018) 

Regularly invited artist showcasing original work at The Harding Art Show, a national collection of artists showing their work at one of the longest-running art shows in the southeast. 

ArtPrize International Art Competition “Steeplechase Finish” – Grand Rapids, Michigan (2010) 

Exhibited “Steeplechase Finish,” a billboard-sized original creation at ArtPrize, an independently organized and juried international art competition attracting 500,000 visitors biannually. 

TOURING + INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE 

Documentary Photographer for Ken Burns – (2019) 

Acted as documentary photographer for Ken Burns on the media launch for the “Country Music” PBS documentary miniseries. The eight-part series chronicles the history and prominence of country music in American culture. 

Official Photographer for Jason Aldean – (2014–2015) 

Documented North America and European tour of Country Music artist Jason Aldean for exclusive book, Burn It Down, published in 2016. Tour covered 100 cities, with the band performing for tens of thousands of fans. 

Official Photographer for Brooks & Dunn – United States (2000–2005) 

Touring, documentary and production photographer for the band, creating imagery for their website, tour documentary and merchandise. 

Scotland Documentary Photographer – Scotland (1990) 

Ohio University Master’s Program: Traveled the countryside creating photo stories and essays documenting small-town Scottish culture.

PERIODICALS + MORE 

Published in Time, Sports Illustrated, People, Rolling Stone, Getty Images, Billboard, Guitar World, Country Weekly. Work is also internationally syndicated through Getty Images and a variety of media outlets. 

PAYING IT FORWARD 

Scott Hamilton CARES – Advisory Board Member, Photographer, Videographer Music City Youth in the Arts – Media and Visual Advisor Soldiers & Songwriters – Official Photographer, Videographer United Way Texas Gulf Coast – Web, Animation, Photography 

GRANTS 

Creative Director + Videographer + Photographer Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: #BeTheFriend Campaign Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence – Nashville, TN (Current) 

Shoot, direct, edit and post-produce PSAs videos, imagery and murals for the #Be the Friend Campaign distribution on Instagram, SnapChat, Facebook and YouTube platforms. Research and conceptualize a strategic media plan to cost effectively reach targeted audience. Managed social media analytics in relationship to audience retention performance. 

CERTIFICATIONS 

Integrated Airman Certification – Current Federal Aviation Association Remote Pilot Certificate – Current 

FEATURED SUBJECTS 

Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, John Prine, Neil Diamond, Sheryl Crow, Blake Shelton, Dixie Chicks, Glen Campbell, Garth Brooks, Guy Clark, Taylor Swift, Lucinda Williams, Chris Stapleton, Alison Krauss, Kris Kristofferson, Tiger Woods, President Bush, President Carter, President Obama, Lyle Lovett, U2, Luke Bryant, Ray Charles, among others. Imagery is in many private collections, Getty Images, Getty Creative and has been featured on CDs, DVDs, album covers, posters, calendars and greeting cards. 

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE 

Mediums Digital, video, film, drone, 360 panoramas 

Software Adobe Creative Suite, Final Cut Pro, WordPress, Squarespace, iMovie, Microsoft Word 

Apps Tiktok, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat, YouTube, Vimeo, Pinterest 

Drone DJI Drone – FAA Licensed Pilot