We were lucky to catch up with FRANK EDWARDS recently and have shared our conversation below.
FRANK, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today.
This is a great question. If I were to start my business anew today, I’d definitely buy less equipment! In the first few years of this company, I thought having all of the latest camera gear would make me more “official” or better at my job.
It wasn’t true and led me to spending a bunch of money on things I never even thought about using. There’s actually a term for this. It’s “Gear Acquisition Syndrome.” I imagine it applies to a myriad of professions, but it certainly plagues us camera folks!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a photographer/Director of Photography. I specialize in business to business projects, featuring entrepreneurs and small business that want to increase their visibility and grow their brands. I make headshots, Commercials (broadcast/web) and mini documentaries that help businesses reach their target audiences and maximize growth potential.
I often tell my clients that “I’m a story teller that happens to own camera equipment.” I think that sums up what I endeavor toward.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I’m constantly chasing “the perfect portrait” or the “perfect scene.” I’m absolutely fueled my trying to outdo myself and have fun chasing that type of growth. I’m not racing anyone else…I’m racing the course!
That drives me. I’m also excited about the leaps in technology. A.I. is changing how people think about imagery and opens whole new realms of possibility.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
To be successful in any business, results are at the top of the priority list when building your reputation. I think this is amplified when it comes to creating images for other businesses. When I first started my company, my portfolio wasn’t great AT ALL, but I was always punctual. I always did exactly what I said I would do, and prioritized client service.
I was resolute about the types of jobs I would take and tried to really zero in on the client base I was after. I knew that other business owners value their time even more than money in some cases. So while my artistic skills were developing, I leaned heavily into client service and being known for reliability and professionalism.
When I reached an artistic level that matched my service efforts is when I felt comfortable raising my rates and moving toward a client base with larger projects.
Contact Info:
- Website: Reelshutter.com