We recently connected with Al Graves and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Al thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your business and how did you resolve those issues?
One of the biggest challenges I face as a photographer, oddly enough is conveying the importance of using photographs as a way to preserve your legacy. We all want to provide a financial legacy. We all want our legacies carried on through our name. We don’t always realize how imperative it is to document our legacy with the printed photograph. These special moments, rare occasions, and once in a lifetime events tell our story to future generations. The printed photograph has outlasted countless mediums that have come and gone. Digital media is great. It is quick, instant, and accessible. Unfortunately, it is not permanent. Printed photography has been around the 1860’s and will be here when Facebook and Instagram is deemed “too slow,” or “too old.” I’m sure many people feel they will always be able to rely on Facebook to provide reminders of the special moments we shared a year ago, but tell that to the folks who thought the same thing about MySpace. I need to ensure that my children, grandchildren and the generations to come, know that I am proud, silly, caring, protective, fun, engaging, serious, and all the things that photographs have captured over the years. I want them to visibly see the traits, gestures, fortitude, intellect and determination that I have passed on to them and know where it came from.
Al, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I have been into photography since high school. In fact, to my surprise, a lot of the photos in my high school year book were taken by me. I learned a great deal about photography from my uncle. But more importantly, he taught me about people, and what they expect from photography. The equipment and tools are constantly changing, but those life lessons remain constant are still being applied every day. I specialize in wedding and portrait photography. As the owner of 30a Portraits & Weddings, my goal is to provide everyone with quality, heirloom products. That may seem a bit lofty, but it was also a lofty goal when Steve Jobs stated he wanted to place an Apple computer in every home. Seems to be not such a big deal now, but this statement was made when there was hardly anyone that had a home computer and cell phones didn’t exist. But that’s just how passionate I am about the absolute magic of photography and what it offers. It tells your story, at that moment, evoking that emotion, frozen in time. We try to make our clients feel like the only event happening in the world for that day, is theirs. That’s how special it is to you, and that’s how special it is to us!
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
The name of my business came from the area in Florida that my wife and I used to live near and visit frequently. 30a is a beautiful strip of beaches and small towns that lie between Destin and Panama City. It is a photographer’s paradise. Although it has become much more of a tourist destination than when we first started going, it is still just as breath-taking. I noticed there were no black photographers in the area, and upon observation not many people of color in general. Although that was never an issue for us, I decided I wanted to convey what this gorgeous area was like and share it through photography. I knew it would be a huge undertaking and expected many doors to be closed. I knew that I would not be afforded many opportunities not because work was sub-par, but simply because I was black. What else is new? Being in a somewhat unique and certainly blessed position, I also photograph in Nashville and Huntsville, which allows me to choose the right clients. I not only have to be the right photographer for them, they have to be the right client for me. Preparation for a wedding is a long process, during which we develop a relationship with our clients. I get a chance to make sure their vision becomes mine. I make sure we have the same expectations, and that they are achievable. So that in the end, the only surprises are pleasant ones.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Before the pandemic, I was very personable and did most of my meetings, consults, and product deliveries in person. Along with the whole world, I had to shift my thinking and find solutions that worked for my clients. Although we have cleared the biggest hurdle with the virus, many have become accustomed to having services rendered remotely. In response, my system allows for clients to have a totally virtual. After photographing the event, I can video chat with clients, choose favorite images, select and purchase products simultaneously, all on the same screen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://30abrides.photography/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/30a.weddings
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/30a.weddings
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/al-graves-1b04b3188/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZWumLoYoXksNzFLFOcht3w
Image Credits
30a Portraits & Weddings