Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Herman Prater Jr. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Herman , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?
That’s a great question! I would hope my legacy inspires people to actually live their life, dare to be different, even be delusional (in a good way) when it comes to chasing your dreams. There has been many times where I felt I had to kick down doors, and fight through the the politics just to be in the space and room that I’m currently in now. It took time, there were definitely mistakes made along the way, but in the midst of it all I always had in my mind that one day the success would be well worth it. If anyone can take anything from me it’s that no matter how many times your counted out, you keep getting back up. Don’t ever stay down. A winning mindset starts with how you feel about yourself and not letting anyone, or anything sway you to believe otherwise.
I’m more open & aware now on sharing my personal experiences when it comes to navigating in this world, whether its showing the high’s and/or the low’s I want to be proof that believing in yourself, working hard, and manifesting your goals makes a difference when your tapped in to your highest self. Adversity builds character, and it will surely test you to see how strong you are. You can’t be afraid to fail. If you’re passionate about something you’ll find a way to bring it back together. There’s time when you’re going to take some loses out there, but that comes with the game. How you bounce back from them is what makes the difference, and also makes your journey more interesting. I’m not the most polished, I don’t have all the answers, but I am locked in on being great in all that I do, no matter who feels anyway about it. There’s nothing wrong with having confidence in that. Believe that you can, and you will.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’ve started taking photos back in 2018 taking and since then I’ve been apart of a lot of amazing opportunities that I’m still blown away by. Currently I’m big on growing my Wedding Photography, and documenting the love that’s comes with it. Being able to share and capture those intimate happy moments of getting ready, to walking down the aisle, then turning up at the reception is always fun because there’s a certain artistic eye that has to be brought in bringing it all together in the end to tell a even bigger story. It’s a wonderful feeling when your surrounded by love. That’s something we all want, so to have it caught in real time and displayed as a still moment to always be able to look back on is the icing on the cake for me.
I also capture black brands/business and that’s something else that’s very passionate to me as well. Being able to highlight other entrepreneurs who look like me culturally is something I will never stray away from. I love to see black people shine, and win across the board and be unapologetic with who they are, and what they bring to the table. So if I’m able to tap in and help them do so and grow their business by all means I’m going to do it. Im rooting for us extra hard this season and beyond!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Whew! Where do I start LOL! One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was to stop over extending myself and being a people pleaser. I’m now ok with backing away, and saying no to things that makes me feel uneasy without feeling bad. It took years of trying to be everything to everyone and not being true to how I was feeling in the midst of it all that was weighing me down. Anyone who knows me know that I’m very passionate when it comes to Mental Health, and there was a time I was afraid to even be open about that, but I started seeing how other’s were affected by similar scenarios. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype and wanting to look this part to appease this particular crowd, and it began to be too much to the point I was physically and mentally exhausted.
I took some months off to get in the right frame of mind, and to really work on me and how I wanted my future to look because I owed that to myself. I literally did that work from the inside out! Once the work was in motion I’m telling you, game changing! Doors began to open more than ever. I started to see life differently, even felt differently it was like a real aha moment. The weight of the world that once felt like this super heavy boulder lifted off my shoulders and I was free like never before. I took back control of my life, blocked out distractions and it has been one of the best things ever.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Staying true to who you are, believing in what you’re selling, and being relatable. If you don’t believe in it, how do you expect someone else to? It’s 2022, social media is constantly growing so you have to ride the wave and find what works for YOU. Even if you have to fake it until you make it (which sounds cliché lol) but as a business owner you’re up against thousands, and millions of people who do the same thing as you. To stand out, You Have To Stand Out. For me personally, in my field as a creative I’m always looking to push the envelope and find out what the newest trends are, but stick to my traditional style as well. You have to be willing to keep learning and creating, even if it doesn’t pop the first, second, third time .. keep tweaking it until you find what works.
I want to always remain me, because what works for me may not work for someone else and vice verse. But it goes back to keeping your audience engaged as well, you have to give them something that draws them to what you’re offering. Something that they’re not use to seeing on a regular. Beyonce just dropped her Renaissance album and its been in constant rotation since it hit lol. To be 20+ years in the game, and still able to get the response she gets when she puts out a project is ICONIC! That’s how I want my art to be. I’m also thinking “how I can I make this better than what I did last” and one thing about it I’m going to create a vibe every time I have a camera in my hand, and my clients, and consumers know that and trust that I will provide those services to them. You’re never going to be disappointed, and thats the mentality I bring to anything I put my hands on creative wise to scale my brand.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.visualsbyherman.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visualsbyherman
- Facebook: Herman Prater Jr
Image Credits
Kim and Richard Lee Sherita and Julius Dacus ShaDarria and William Mckenzie Tiffany and Marcus Fleming Marisha “Riri” Wallace Darryl Eubanks II Jermaine Purifory Frank Bumpass Greg Funderburg Donald Wilson II