Meet Joseph Feldman | Paramedic and Coast Guard Volunteer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joseph Feldman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joseph, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor of my success would be the ability to tell stories through photography.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I enjoy taking pictures of emergency vehicles and aircraft. I started my hobby of taking pictures of fire trucks while working for a private EMS service and my Instagram page has blossomed into a world recognized powerhouse of quality photos. Many firefighters in the local area and now members of the Coast Guard recognize me and my work and the respect garnered from that is what I appreciate the most.

I like to view my work as telling a story through pictures. Words can only do so much, but an image can bring you into the moment.

I am a volunteer with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and a photographer for CG Air Station Miami. My main duties include content creation and social media management for the air station’s Facebook page.
I do this when I’m not on shift as a paramedic for my fire department.
My work and reputation have allowed me to now work with other Coast Guard units in creating photos for them.

I got my volunteer photography spot by chance during the height of COVID-19 in the fall of 2020 and found out that there was a need for a photographer for the unit. Since then, I have improved photography content and morale for the unit and the Coast Guard as a whole. I have noticed a significant change in other units Facebook activity and image quality and it makes me happy to see this improvement!

What has been the most fun has been being able to connect with other Coast Guard members who are avid photographers and being able to support and learn from each other. This has even extended to our respective air station Facebook pages engaging in a good hearted “photo war” that has been a big morale booster to the service.

My biggest lessons learned along the way would be doing things outside my comfort zone, like sitting on the open ramp of a cargo plane photographing a formation flight or getting on a boat in rough seas to photograph a training mission. I still have a lot to learn and I welcome the challenges they present!

I am most proud of the fact that my photos are at Coast Guard Headquarters.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Goodness, I’m married with children and we both work, so my spouse and I don’t get out as much as we used to, especially during the pandemic.

If my best friend came to visit, we’d probably go get lunch on South Beach or hit up one of the local craft breweries in the tri-county area. Maybe make a trip down to Key West and check out a few museums like the Key West fire museum or the USCGC Ingham museum ship.

Fort Lauderdale is a fun city to go to, Las Olas boulevard is a fun spot for restaurants!

For Miami, South Beach, Brickell and Wynwood arts district are the latest spots where everyone goes.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to give a nod to my late grandmother. She was an artist and a fierce advocate for creative outlets.

I also want to recognize my colleagues at Coast Guard Air Station Miami for the support in my role as External Affairs
Photographer, I can’t do what I do without them!

I would like to thank my wife for supporting me and allowing me to grow my creative outlet over the past 7 years.

Lastly, I’d like to thank my parents for purchasing me my first DSLR a few years ago, I continue to try to take the best pictures as a way of saying thank you.

Instagram: @RescueMedic_Photography

Facebook: @AirStationMiami

Image Credits
Photo Credit: Joseph Feldman, US Coast Guard Released