Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dorrell Tibbs. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dorrell, appreciate you joining us today. How do you think about cost-management? Growing a business is always exciting, but often businesses run into issues when costs grow faster than revenue – have you experienced such an episode? Any advice for other operators around how to keep costs in line?

I’d like to start this off by giving thanks to God and the photographer homie Allen for nominating me for this.

First off work with what you have! If you got the ball rolling using very little and have kept momentum up then my advice is too rock that as long as you can and the best you can while you work on saving and investing in your craft.

In my experience as a photographer and aspiring fitness professional, keeping costs under control has been a constant balancing act. When I first started my photography business basically a decade ago now, I didn’t invest in expensive gear, high-end equipment would immediately translate to higher earnings. However, I quickly realized that without a steady flow of clients, those costs would become a financial burden rather than an asset. Over time, I learned to be more strategic—buying only what I truly needed, renting equipment for specific shoots, and leveraging secondhand or third-party accessories when possible.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that revenue doesn’t always grow in a straight line, but expenses can if you’re not careful. At one point, I considered expanding into video work, but after evaluating the market and my available time, I decided against it because the investment in gear and software would outweigh the potential return in my local area. Instead, I focused on refining my photography pricing to attract more consistent bookings.

For anyone managing costs, I’d say track every expense, no matter how small, and regularly reassess whether it’s truly necessary. Subscription services, equipment upgrades, and marketing expenses can add up fast, and sometimes the most cost-effective solutions are the simplest. I’ve also found that bartering services—like exchanging photography for gym access or marketing support—can be a great way to get value without spending cash. Keeping overhead low has allowed me to stay in the game, even during slow months, without accumulating debt that could cripple my progress.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I actually started taking photography seriously around 2015/2016 because of my first iPhone, which was the 4S (their worst phone to date). I wasn’t looking at photography By Any Means until I started getting feedback on some of the mobile pictures I was taking before that photography was just a fun little hobby. If you will something that I would do whenever I got the chance to. I did yearbook for one year in high school and everything before that we’re just digital cameras that I had gotten as gifts. My very first camera was actually when I was a toddler and it was by Fisher-Price but little did I know that photography. It was something that was going to be sticking with me throughout my whole life. It’s just something I never really looked at as around the time I started. I was also racking my brain on what it is that I wanted to pursue in my life amongst other things. Here I am at 33 still taking pictures as often as I can. There’s just now payment involved and I’m extremely blessed for that. Though personally I am nowhere close to where I want to be with this craft. I’m glad I still am able to put energy towards it and have not burned myself out.

I’ve done lots of different gigs from weddings to graduations to business events, but I would have to say my favorite type of work when it comes to photography would be the creative kind where you get to experiment or just simply get a little weird with your craft. it’s nice when a client Gives you full control and trust you to provide a finished product that they are impressed with as well as yourself.
I’d say one of the biggest things that I want others to know when it comes to Minecraft in my art is that I want to be able to provide the best quality I can as well as something that you can gladly look back on and know that you had a positive experience as well as Quality photos that you are proud of. I can be selfish when it comes to my art, which is something I’m working on, but knowing that I was able to do something by myself that somebody else is happy with and not having to lean on others to get the results you’re looking to get is a really good feeling

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

That’s easy and I would definitely say it’s the client loving the end result. What did they came in skeptical or they came in confident, knowing that I was able to provide a finished product that they love is awesome.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Art can truly take time so no matter how much technology we have that can possibly help make the job faster if you’re dealing with someone who cares about the end result as well as quality as well as longevity than the art will take time whether that’s editing, shooting or simply brainstorming the idea Creative Snead enough space to let their mind explore the possibilities. Notice the difference in a true artist versus a businessman, though there may be similarities how they move can be very different because you can see an artist caring more about the art as well as those examining or absorbing the art. A businessman just wants the money a lot of times as well as power and because of that they don’t necessarily care whose neck they step on to get where they wanna get to

Contact Info:

• Website: https://unsplash.com/@whatuprell?utm_source=unsplash&utm_campaign=unsplash-ios&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=view-user-on-unsplash
• Instagram: @whatuprell
• Facebook: Facebook.com/whatuprellphoto
• Twitter: @whatuprell

Image Credits
Blake Warrior