INTRODUCE YOUR SELF:
My main occupation is a truck driver
have had many jobs such as the military (Air Force) Newport News Shipyard, owner-operator of my own trucking co., began Mr.Charles Photography and Next Level Photos in 2009
Mr. Charles Photography is general photography and Next Level Photos covers sports and event photography
I am the Sports Photographer at Chowan University, a Division 2 school located in Murfreesboro, NC
I free-lance for a couple of newspapers while also covering track & field for the Univ. of South Carolina...after being in video for 12 yrs. decided to try still photography from the advice of friends
did not go to school for photography but learned until the direction of several mentors
WHY ARE YOU A CREATIVE?
I decided to become a photographer after several of my friends encouraged me to do so
They said I have"an eye" for photography
When I started I did not know how long I would remain in it as it got to be expensive in order to have the correct equipment and after 12 yrs., was so used to video
But I realized that I could become a story teller through the photos that I took
after doing sports for so long I decided to try fashion a couple of years ago, wanting a different challenge
And it has been a definite learning, humbling experience
I appreciate the ones who have been in it for awhile as there is a lot to learn... I am very proud that I just recently had my first photos published in a magazine, the Oct.15th issue of I-Fashion Hopefully the first of many, lol.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE CREATIVE PROJECTS?
I love to black & white photos
They give you a broad range to be creative or dark..to set a mood that is timeless
And of course live sports is something that is hard to duplicate, spontaneous reactions or poses frozen in time is awesome
WHAT ARE SOME STRUGGLES THAT YOU'VE HAD IN YOUR BUSINESS LATELY?
Not only myself but a lot of photographers who take their work seriously will tell you that the way the photography market has become saturated with people who buy themselves a camera (from Walmart, Best Buy, lol) then will call themselves photographers
not realizing what details go into making a professional photographer
Most people in the business will try to stay "in the same ballpark" with pricing so everyone can make a living but people new to the business will bid low or have "cheap" prices that eventually drives the price down for everyone... Professional photographers take pride in their work and love to see the reaction they get from people that admire it
You also learn to have a relationship with your customers they in turn will become repeat customers....
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS THAT YOU HAVE FOUND TO OVERCOME YOUR OBSTACLES?
The best way to overcome the saturated market is to find your niche....general photography is fun but sports keeps my business flowing
I do that by having steady dependable income from schools, universities, and organizations that I have built a long relationship with
when I do event photography such as birthdays, family reunions, retirements, etc
I have a fee that is determined by the number of guests attending that will cover my services for the event
long gone are the days when I will show up at an event and "hope" to make any money from the photos that are taken....
HOW HAS RENT A SET HELPED YOUR BUSINESS?
The studio has given my a very viable option to continue to do quality studio work
even though I live in North Carolina, most of the models that I use for shoots live in the Tidewater area
it is much easier for me to come to them in one location rather than trying to have them travel to me
The studio has everything that I need to do a first-class shoot as well as make a first-class presentation
HOW CAN WE FIND YOU ONLINE?
you can follow me on instagram
on facebook : www.facebook.com/charles.revelle
on my website: www.mrcharlesphotos.com
Book our studio now for your creative session in Hampton Roads, VA: www.rentasetva.com
Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/rent.a.set.studios.com
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/rentasetstudio
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