We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Carl Tucker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Carl below.

Hi Carl, thanks for joining us today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

In 2017, The Houston Astros had won their first World Series and the city was ablaze with a jubilation of pride that hadn’t been seen since the Houston Rockets won back to back championships. The city announced it would be having a victory parade through the streets of Downtown Houston to celebrate the newly crowned champions, ending at the steps of city hall. I had never been to a large scale parade, and I decided that this event was too important not to miss.
That morning I loaded my camera gear, extra batteries, water bottles, charging cables and my IPhone, and had my family drop me off at the nearest park and ride to catch a Metro bus into the heart of the city.
The buses were instantly packed with individuals and families heading to the event of a lifetime. Uniform shirts adorning the names of the current baseball heroes, Altuve, Springer, Correa, Verlander, were as far as the eye could see, and with each stop along the way, more name appeared such as Bergman, Gueriel, Reddick mixed in with tshirts proclaiming the newly MLB heroes.
Once I arrived downtown, it was a sea of people. Every one was lined up and down the parade route, some on the curb patiently waiting, while other like myself, search for higher vintage points for clearer unobstructed camera shots. I eventually found a perch on the fifth floor of a parking garage that would give me a clear shot of the motorcade as it slowly moved down the corridors the city.
Springer! Correa in shades! Altuve, Reddick! The mayor and other celebrities, and the roar of the crowd was intoxicating as the Sirens songs echoing from the cliffs of Anthemoessa.

As the crowd dimmed and made its way to City Hall for the final presentation. I squeezed myself through the multitude of bodies to find angle to shoot pictures. I used both cameras and my iPhone and took hundreds of photos. As the evening wore down and the event ended, hundreds of people were cooling themselves off in the reflection pool, some frolicking through the water, while others sat on the edge resting their feet in the water. I asked people if they’d like their pictures taken and if obliged, showed them the shots and gave them information where to find it online.
Then I saw him.
A older gentleman sitting alone with a elegant face. I asked if I could take his picture and he nodded. I toke about three of him and moved on. About thirty minutes later, a young lady approached me and asked if I was the person who took pictures of her dad. I told her yes and the biggest smile came across her face as she asked me if I wouldn’t mind taking one of her entire family! I told her it wouldn’t be and took a few pictures of them, and of course my contact information.
I left the heart of the city, the people and the joy as I headed home, worn out, but still full of energy.

A few months later, I was contacted by the gentleman’s daughter who asked me if I would photograph her wedding! I was honored that she chose me for such an monumental event! We negotiated prices and locations and a few weeks thereafter, I found myself shooting wedding pictures by the sea!

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

I am the son of a well known HISD coaching legend and a school nurse, so trouble was never my game, and being sick was virtually a non existent thing in our household. am a middle child, (the more creative and bold one). The only boy, I was my mother’s natural favorite.

I got into this business purely by accident. It was an relief outlet as I was going through a very difficult phase of my life. My mother, father and sister all became ill, and during my free time from taking care of them, I found myself taking pictures of people and still life images at the zoo and city park.
I found that many of my pictures had a certain uniqueness to them, and people would often ask how did I obtain that great shot in the photograph. As time passed, I took these complements and turned them into more creative images. The gradual evolution of a hobby became a marketable project that I could show to potential clients.

I think what sets me apart from my contemporaries, is my ability to show the human elements as they are without adding apps or retouching tools.

The things I’m most proud of are the support and encouragement I have received from my family and those in the business communities. What I want my potential clients/followers /fans to know about me is, that I imitate no one, but have many influences that steer my drive to produce and show the best images possible for their personal or public enjoyment.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Books that heavily influenced me are:

Linda’s Pictures by Linda McCartney( 1977)
Photographs by Linda McCartney (1982)
Annie Leibovitz’s Photographs (1983)
Home by Herb Ritts (1996)

All of these photographers are the absolute bomb to me. I love all of their works, especially Mrs. McCartney. ( I would have loved to have spent a day with her learning things)

My local favorite, is a photographer named Pam Francis. She didn’t know it then, but I was so amazed at her professionalism and knowledge when I did some work for her years ago. (Pam, if you’re reading this, know you made an impact on someone who puts you on the pedestal with the best in the world)

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I’d like to photograph a rock concert from the orchestra pit eventually. That has always been a bucket list event that I hope eventually, someone gives me the opportunity to do one day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Ach.cro.matic/
• Other: Email [email protected] [email protected]

Image Credits
All images taken by Carl Tucker