We recently connected with Gene Fryer and have shared our conversation below.
Gene, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?
When I first started my photography I had dropped out of college with no thought of my future let alone starting a business with my photography. I was wanting to use my photography as an outlet for myself to feel unrestricted as an individual and to have a way to let my mind roam free. As I went along this free spirited journey I met many like minded people and those like me, who felt like a drifter in life. With these new relationships created opportunities arose and I was getting paid gigs doing what I loved and having opportunities to showcase my work in exhibits and museums and work with clients I never would have had the chance to be around without my photography. Something I wish I could have changed along my journey is being less fearful to reach out to potential clients/opportunities, and another would be to create a respect for myself earlier on that my work and time were a lot more worthwhile and not waste it on pleasing others. Also a big thing, being self taught, you can only learn so much on the internet pertaining your craft before you plato, so reach out to someone in your field you look up to and see if they are offering classes to show you their process and how and why they do things the way they do. Having a mentor or being mentored will accelerate your work exponentially. I honestly am glad I started as soon as I did because I do admit I made a lot of mistakes along the way pertaining to life, my photography, adapting a business, handling workloads, because now being 26, with those experiences I know what kind of direction I want to go with my work, my business, creating a stronger foundation built up from those mistakes to create something bigger than just myself and my individuality behind just my photography, but other media outlets and having a brand that means something more than life.
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?
My name is Gene Fryer, I am a photographer primarily and a multi-media artist. I always had a passion for art and creating. I dropped out of college and picked up a camera and self taught myself everything I know to this day. I have been creating for 7 years and counting. I think what sets me apart is my style of work and the vibrant stories I create with my photo’s. What I am most proud of is my dedication to my work and life, on never giving up even though the journey has been incredibly rough and challenging, the highs taste so sweet. I am constantly learning and willing to do so, for my work and business to be something notable.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I think where I am in life now actually is where I am having a pivot in both my life and business. I feel like I was struggling with creating something more with my business, expanding, and making it more than just a photography business. I took a step back and decided I wanted to go back to school for business marketing to teach myself what I could do more for myself. Another thing I’ve done is honestly trying to take more opportunities to enjoy life by living more in the moment without feeling forced to photograph everything, travel more, travel places I’ve never been and let life re-inspire me.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
There was time where the place I was living got broken into while I was at work and all my photography gear was stolen. It was the most devastating thing to happen to me. At that time my photography was something dear and important to me as the air I breath. I refused to live without a camera or a way to take photos. I scraped together money from working long hours and side gigs and purchased the camera I still have to this day. That moment in my life really showed me how important being a creative and having a camera as my outlet was everything to me and I would do anything to continue creating.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ourcreativeidentity.format.com/
- Instagram: @gene.fry
- Twitter: @frylordd