We were lucky to catch up with Avery Ledwell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Avery, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I learned to do what I do by basically being behind a camera since I was in middle school. I worked on the morning show in middle school, the news show for high school, and helping create multiple video projects in college. One of my first internships was at a radio station where I learned to sharpen my skills with editing and interviewing. My big break was when I was hired at WLTX News 19 where I took on positions like photojournalist, audio board operator, and technical director.

I feel I could’ve speed up my learning process by taking more time outside of my regular work schedule and working on my own photography and video projects.

Some of the most essential skills I learned that have gotten me to the point I’m at today was going out doing news stories and interviewing a variety of people whether teachers, parents, children, state legislators, celebrities, or average state citizens. Those experiences interacting with people help me have the confidence to keep pushing forward with my own business.

A big obstacle that’s stood in my way are finances and resources. I have a vision of what I want future projects to look like, I just don’t have all the necessary equipment to do so at the moment. I believe that God will provide for me the further I take my career.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Avery Ledwell, originally from Lugoff, South Carolina. Currently residing in Columbia, South Carolina. I have a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communications from one of the top ranked HBCUs in the country Claflin University. At this present time I have close to a decade’s worth of professional journalism experience.

I got my start in the media industry with a few internships at WFMV 95.3 and WPUB Kool 102.7 radio stations where I really started to fall in love with being in the media. Where things really changed for me is when I started to work at WLTX News 19 where I was tasked with multiple jobs where I contributed to news broadcasts. The intense schedule and unpredictability of news really prepared me to handle different situations when it came to being in the media industry.

What I’m getting into now is having my own business of videography and photography. I know like myself people cherish memories, and the service I provide will help them be able to remember special people or events even easier. Maybe one of the problems I can solve will be someone who has lost confidence in themselves, but after I do a photoshoot with them the product I have produced will boost up their confidence. Maybe the video I shoot for a client can bring an important message to the forefront of a community that people really should know about. I believe a lot of positivity can come from what a lens captures. That’s the reason I started my own business, my vision for the world. That’s what Ledwell Visuals is all about.

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

Thinking back when I worked for the news every situation I was in wasn’t always the safest. One time me and another reporter had to cover some heavy storm damage and while we recording a live standup a tree almost fell on us. Also another time I was heading back to the news station in the company vehicle and got into a bad collision. The vehicle was totaled, but luckily me and the other driver were able to walk away from the crash.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to help people capture memories where they can always look back on and put a smile on their faces. I know its a been a long time coming to get me into the position I’m in now, but I know its still a long road going to get where I want to be with my business.      

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/ledwellvisuals?igshid=Y2IzZGU1MTFhOQ==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avery.ledwell
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avery-ledwell-61b80271/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AveryLedwell
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZs2xKmF7DIctbVBtADwyWw

Image Credits
(All Images provided by Ledwell Visuals)