Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alan Garrett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Alan, thanks for joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later?
I would definitely start my business a lot sooner than I did. I am thankful I started when I did but just wish it could’ve started my Junior year of college. I went to Kansas State University, and at the time this is 2018. This is my second year having my own, on campus radio show called “Loudkicks Radio” that played Hip Hop and R&B along with request, theme shows, guest from around campus and outside of it. It was a great experience at the time but I remember taking a photography class the summer before leading up to that year, and I feel in love with it instantly if not, quicker than I did with the mic and the ability to make someone day when talking at the radio station. If I would’ve gotten exposure to the craft overall maybe even before college I believe I could have been even more advanced and my foundation of clients could have been even larger than what it is today. I love what I do, and I am thankful I found something I love to do and be skillful enough to make a living off of it at the same time.
Alan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I got into photography in the summer of 2018 after taking a Intro to Photography class going into my Junior year. At the time I enrolled, I only took it to fill my schedule and as a boost to my GPA and considering I needed another elective I choose that one. From the first day I feel in love with the craft and within the first couple weeks I became somewhat obsessed with it. That semester I got asked to do a couple graduation photos and even did a baby shower as well all for free and just for the love of the craft. Fast Forward to present day, I shoot for Local Brands and creative direct local bands, restaurants and clothing lines. One of the challenges I have always faced was making my clients feel confident and comfortable. I tell everyone I work with “This is a Sad Free Zone, be confident, because the confident you are the better you feel, the better you feel the better we are going to shoot and I only work with the the best!” its a motto I tell everyone when I sense them feeling nervous or a little timid and every time it turns out a success. Some of my proudest work was my first Art museum, it was held at City Arts Museum in Wichita, Ks in 2021. It was my proudest moment because it was my most vulnerable moment as well. For the first time my work was public outside of me and client, outside just a scroll on your phone, it was a collective piece of art you had to get in your car and go see intentionally and you reaction was your reaction but the ablilty for people that I dont even know complimenting and going to see it was a token of me being where im suppose to!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Immortality is the root to the drive to want to always be better than I was before. I take all projects serious because they trusted me to capture this particular moment that will live forever. From the perspective it keeps me humble and grounded to not take anything for granted no matter how big or small take everything serious because of what it took to get here.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The connection to the work is probably the most rewarding thing that comes with the career path. When shooting for a brand and then seeing those photos being what drives their whole next year in marketing is pretty cool, or capturing photos for family who have newborns on the way and they’re sending them off to friends and family; its all rewarding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.loudkicksnetwork.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/IAMLOUDKICKS
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-garrett-925394174
Image Credits
One 4 Us brand
The Workshop clothing