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

Hi Damien, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about how you got your first non-friend, non-family client. Paint the picture for us so we can feel the same excitement you felt on that day.

I got my first (paying) photography client in 2010 right after my son was born so it’s easy to remember when it was. He is actually our second child (of 3) and with our firstborn I was the proud dad who shared pictures with everyone who wanted to see them.
Many co-workers were supportive and I noticed they would actually ask to see more pics if I took too long to share.

My co-worker Alicia and Brian were doing a small wedding ceremony and then having a reception afterwards and they hired me to shoot that. So that was job #1. I was a ball of nerves and excitement but I recall being so honored that they took a chance on me on their special day.

That was my first paying photography job and although I look back now and cringe and the work I produced at the time, I also look back and am proud that I captured the joy of the day even if the technical execution was a little lacking.

Although we moved away from Philadelphia area where this took place, I still go back every year to shoot their family pics so I’ve been fortunate enough to see their family grow!
And Brian became an executive with the Philadelphia Eagles and he got me on the sidelines several times to shoot games which was completely surreal.

But that’s the thing about photography, it’s more than just clicking a shutter on the latest cameras. It’s relationships, connections, and it’s a big part of my legacy. I shot that 1st wedding and probably 50 more. I have captured countless clients of other genres as well- families, high school seniors, corporate clients, branding clients and now my bread and butter- headshots and lifestyle.

And it all started from sharing pics of my kids.

Damien, 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?

As I mentioned, I have been a professional photographer for about 13 years. Prior to that I was always the guy with the (film) camera taking pics- at high school, college and after. Back then I had to send in the film and wait for weeks to see what I got. I never did any darkroom work and right when I got serious about learning, affordable digital cameras started to become available.

Throughout my career I have tried it all in terms of genres (which I recommend to really find out what you like) but I landed on Portraits and Lifestyle as my main focus with a few small weddings mixed in. I love weddings, but the grind and time away from my family made me cut back on them. I joke that anything with a face I will photograph so under the “portrait” umbrella I will do senior photos, families and headshots.

What sets me apart is my client service. I want everyone to feel like they are special in front of my lens. We will have a good time and you will get great images. They will be clean, classic with a creative flair. My motto is: “I will bring out the Essence of YOU” and I try to do that. I don’t just show up and start shooting. Every client gets a consultation no matter what kind of session. We talk about them and their vision for the session, what to wear and where we will shoot (either in my studio or on location). I put them at ease, especially when they are nervous about shooting. And then when we meet I make sure to get a great shot very early and show them and then it’s easy street from there.

I have started to provide more prints versus just digital files because I feel it is a crime to pay your good money for a session, it goes great and you love the images and then they sit on a computer for years.
Get those images on the walls so you can see them and remember how good you (and your loved ones) looked.

People that follow me, including peers, know that I will try to share my knowledge and exhibit the community feel that I think is critical in the creative world.
Sharing, building and collaborating is the name of the game.

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

My creative journey in photography is driven by my view of the craft being a part of my legacy. It is so much more than just pictures. I am able to connect with people and bring out their best. I have captured many people over the years and had them tell me it’s their favorite picture of themselves. The proof for me is when I see many people use the images we take as a profile pics online. I have had people tell me that their headshot was instrumental in getting opportunities as they rightly realize that your headshot says a lot about you. Also I have had people lose loved ones and use my images as the obituary images. These are meaningful memories that I am capturing for clients and for personal projects and knowing that they will outlast me and be there for future generation drives me.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Hands down the best source of new clients for me is word of mouth- and not just from clients. I will have people recommend me who might not even need a photographer but they have seen my work and they know I will treat their loved ones or friends right.

Those leads and obviously the ones from former clients are golden. There is very little selling needed. The trust factor is there and then I just have to deliver.

Social media is an accelerator of the word of mouth but it’s still clients that go on there and sing my praises that brings in more business and for that I am very grateful.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.damiencarterphotography.com
• Instagram: @dcarterphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DCarterPhotography

Image Credits
My Headshot- Kirth Bobb