We were lucky to catch up with Daryl Rembert recently and have shared our conversation below.

Daryl, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

I picked the name “Rembert’s Brand” for my company because of a straightforward reason. I wanted our family name to be linked with excellence and enhance our standing. The aim is for people to look at what we do and instantly think of it as the very best and of exceptional quality. I wished the company’s name to reflect my identity – someone unafraid of exploring new concepts and learning from errors, ultimately transforming them into positive outcomes (Happy Accidents).

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Daryl Rembert. For about 12 years, I’ve been working in human resources. But alongside that, I’ve always had a creative side. My creative journey began with making lamps from all sorts of things – bottles, shoes, bowling balls, you name it. Then, I launched an online store crafting and selling beaded bracelets.

While lamps and bracelets were satisfying creative outlets, the real spark ignited when I dusted off my old Nikon D3200 for my sister’s 35th birthday shoot in 2020. Since that day, I’ve delved into photography, learning its intricacies and investing in equipment like camera bodies, lenses, and lights.

By the end of 2021, I transformed my living room into a home studio. There, I took numerous self-portraits to grasp studio lighting. As my skills grew, I began inviting friends and family for photoshoots, starting with creative portraits and headshots. I later ventured into sports photography, a passion stemming from my days as an athlete.

I reached out on the Black Owned NJ Facebook page, expressing my interest in sports photography. Dr. Marc from Katura Health granted me access to an AAU track meet, confirming my passion. Practicing football shots through my girlfriend’s nephew’s games further fueled my enthusiasm.

Around mid-2022, I reconnected with my old football coach from Immaculate Conception HS, who welcomed me back to capture the football team. Posting these images online led to connections with local colleges’ Athletic Directors. Some schools like NJIT, Rutgers Newark, and Kean allowed me to photograph basketball games, building my portfolio. I later secured a position as a staff photographer at Jersey Sports News (JSN), which opened doors to more opportunities.

My superpower in photography is making clients feel comfortable, a trait that garners repeat business. I’ve found that connecting with clients is what truly sets me apart.

My proudest moments include being recognized as a great photographer within the industry. Despite my relatively short time in the field, I’ve made substantial progress on the East Coast. Additionally, being paid for my work, particularly my first paid photoshoot for my sister’s birthday, and receiving my first referral were immensely rewarding. These acknowledgments validate my efforts.

To potential clients, I want you to know that I’m a passionate creative who prioritizes positive experiences. Photography freezes moments in time, preserving memories to cherish. Booking a session with me guarantees lifelong treasures.

I’m also grateful to have a supportive friends and family who genuinely want to see me succeed. Those who sat there under my lights while I figured out my settings and my other friends who we willing to run in middle of the street for a quick picture, those are great memories. To my sister Sherese, who was the catalyst to this career, I thank you. To brother Tone who’s also a photographer who asked me to help out with NYFW, that experience is a core memory and the skills that i gained are invaluable. To my sister Tiarah, thanks for trusting me with your birthday shoots and paying me for it. to my pro Rah and Sa’id, thank you for getting up and going whenever and where ever I asked. To my “daughter” Taijaha, thank you for being down for w/e when I bought my 1st strobe.

Thank you all for being a part of my journey. There are too many to mention, but I’m grateful for each and every one of you!

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The best way I’ve found to get clients is through word of mouth. When I make sure my clients are happy, they refer me to others. To help with this, I’ve also started using Thumbtack to reach more people. While I’m still new to building my online presence, I can’t fully review how well this platform works yet.

I’ve heard photographers on podcasts and Instagram talk about using “bait posts” to get clients. I’ve tried it myself, but without promoting the posts, I haven’t seen much success. Maybe using promoted posts would make a bigger difference, though.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I think the most satisfying thing about being creative is taking a basic idea and turning it into something unique. I love having the freedom to experiment and find out what works best. While I do consider established best practices, I truly come alive when I take those practices and add my own touch to projects. It’s how I approach life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.remberts.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_dthephotographer_/
• Other: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/dthephotographer Bookings: https://squareup.com/appointments/book/50jr0p4f381gox/TTXXYT7R514EX/services

Image Credits
Daryl Rembert