We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hunter Cole. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hunter below.

Alright, Hunter thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I have been able to earn a full-time living from my photography and videography work.

I have had a camera in hand since high school and loved shooting photos of everything and anything, but the real journey started my freshman year in college when I took my first photography class. I instantly knew that it was what I wanted to do the rest of my life.

After graduating with a bachelors degree in photography I hit the ground running. I started my first job as a traveling dance competition photographer the day before my college graduation. The next 5 years or so, I had several different jobs in the photography world ranging from editorial photographer to in house product photographer.

I soon realized that working for someone was not what I wanted to be doing, so I took the leap and became a full time freelancer. Making that decision was probably the best I have ever made. The first few years as a freelancer were pretty tough (as it is for a lot of us) picking up a few gigs here and there. Then another major decision I made was to move to Montana and teach myself/invest in videography. And I haven’t looked back since. Now I stay consistently busy shooting photo and videos focusing on commercial shoots for local Montana businesses, as well as weddings. I also have been a part of big campaigns for companies nation wide.

The only thing I wish had done sooner was put everything I had into my business. It took moving half way across the country to really invest in myself when I could have done it from the very start.

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 being in photography at younger age, but really got into in college. My first photo professor happen to be the head of the department and he pulled me aside one day to let me know he thought I should consider that as my major. I did, and graduated with a bachelors in photography.

Fast forward ten years, I now reside in Montana providing photography and video services to business both local and national. In Montana, I cater to local business creating content for them to use on web, print, and socials, as well as weddings throughout the state. On a national level I have produced and shot marketing campaigns for outdoor and clothing companies.

One of my main goals is to work with my clients to create their vision, on a budget that works for the both of us. The client comes first for me. Having happy clients makes the entire process run more smooth and everyone is more stoked with the results. It is also a great way to get repeat clients and maintain relationships.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Photography is an adventure; it takes you places unknown and lets you meet and help people you might not have without it. What I have gotten out of photography, besides life skills and a career, is the thrill of the unknown. When I go out for a shoot, whether it is for commercial, landscape, or portraits, I get a feeling inside of me that I cannot get enough of. It is the feeling that you know anything can happen while shooting. As an artist this excites me more than anything. I want to be “that photographer” that gets the perfect shot. I want to be known as an adventurous artist that has done something for society and the world.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

When it comes to getting new clients, I am a firm believer of the old adage “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Maybe not in the classic sense, but I think that the best way to make new relationships is to get out there and network yourself. Let your presence be known, but always be respectful. Don’t be afraid to cold call or email potential clients with just a friendly “hello” and let them know you are available for any creative need they may have.

Along with networking with potential clients, having a network of like minded creatives is also a huge benefit. Word of mouth marketing is a huge part of my business, and accounts for a majority of it. After moving to Montana, I made a great group of connections with creatives that only want the best for each other, whether that is passing off jobs to one another, hiring to join gigs as second shooters/assistants, and really just being able to bounce ideas off each other.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.huntercolecreative.com
• Instagram: @huntercolecreative
• Other: vimeo.com/huntercolecreative