We were lucky to catch up with Casey Gardner Ford recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Casey Gardner, thanks for joining us today. Let’s talk about social media – do you manage your own or do you have someone or a company that handles it for you? Why did you make the choice you did?

The best and worst thing to happen to photography in recent years has been the advent and mainstreaming of social media.

I have reached more clients than I ever could have imagined and also have to deal with so much more competition from folks who might not be as skilled as I am but have a better social media “presence”.

I manage my social media myself. Most of the photographers I know do as well. We know what we are good at and feel capable of sharing that with the world. However, social media is a science in itself and I would sleep easier at night if I wasn’t thinking about what reels I need to make tomorrow or when my scheduled posts run out and I need to sit down and write more.

One of my next goals as we learn to live in the endemic of Covid-19 is to acquire some help in this area. I would guess most small business owners have better things to do then plan their grid on instagram and we know that the time of the folks who are good at this stuff is valuable but the money seems better spent on equipment or materials. I hope to change my perspective on that and bring myself some more peace knowing that I’m using this resource wisely.

Casey Gardner, 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 am Atlanta’s busiest theatre photographer. I shoot regularly for the Actor’s Express, Aurora Theatre, Found Stages, Georgia Ensamble Theatre, Holy Innocence Episcopal School, Kennesaw State University, Out of Box, Central Gwinnett School of the Arts, Synchronicity, and Theatrical Outfit.

My work has been featured in, The New York Times, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Atlanta Magazine, Buckhead Magazine, Creative Loafing, Edge Atlanta, Playbill, Broadway World, and ArtsATL.

I began my creative life in theatre and eventually figured out I was a better asset off the stage capturing the incredible work of the world class artists we have here in Atlanta. I not only capture production photos but also tons of actor headshots every year.

Photos should be something liberally engaged with, not something to dread or worry about. I pride myself on a relaxed and uplifting environment in my studio and in the theatre. When you have great photos of yourself and your work you can stay grateful and proud of your work. I’m happy to provide those.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I tell everyone who will listen; I want to change Atlanta Theatre one picture at a time. One headshot, one production photo, one celebratory event. We deserve world class documentation for our world class art. Every time I get an email or a text from a client who is so inspired and empowered by their photos I feel fulfilled and like I’ve found my purpose.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

My degree is in Performing Arts, which is very helpful for what I do now, but not exactly what I imagined doing at 18 when I picked my major!

When I moved to Atlanta, I was working as an actor and doing odd jobs to make ends meet. I had dabbled in production photography and headshots when I was in school at SCAD and so when I moved to the city I was able to feel confident offering photos to small companies and my buddies who worked at the theatre with me.

After doing events for the theatres I worked for and testing out doing photos of shows I was in (harder then it sounds!), Actor’s Express asked me to come and photograph one of their shows. It was a big deal and I was so nervous. I didn’t have the fanciest equipment and I had to shoot a performance with an audience and was stuck in a corner. But when the photos came back and looked good and Freddie Ashley liked the results and asked me to come back, I felt like I’d climbed Everest. After word got around, other theatres reached out and I have had the incredible opportunity to photograph for 28 different companies in and around Atlanta. It isn’t about the number but it is an incredible feeling to feel so wholeheartedly loved and accepted by people you admire.

And now, I get to go to theatres and meet designers who do amazing work and when I say, “Hey! I’m Casey.” They immediately fill in the last name and that makes me feel like a damn celebrity. My work proceeds me and knowing they are excited for me to capture their work means I’m doing exactly what I want to do; uplifting artists in Atlanta and showing them just how amazing they are.

Next, I want to continue to work with new artists and companies within a larger area. I want to scale up my team and figure out how to be MORE useful and provide BETTER photos and make sure everyone who wants to work with me can. There are some dreams coming true coming out of Covid and intend to take advantage of the general excitement to get back to work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://caseygford.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseygardnerford/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caseygardnerphotos
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-ford-11b84b7a/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/caseygford
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LovewithDistance

Image Credits
The picture of me is by Brian Jones and I do have permission to use them for print. All other photographs are by me.