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

Joshua, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I have always loved photography. I had a friend who did photography professionally and I was fascinated with his work. He taught me how he did what he did. He had been self taught and he taught me the way he did things which was different from other people who had gone to school for this kind of thing. I learned what I could from him and then dived into Youtube and other videos to help me learn what I wanted to know. I wish I had started sooner in life but I took a real deep dive and couldn’t learn fast enough. It was important to me to learn how to create in a unique way. To find something that was my own style and to go with it. I tried out all sorts of photography. Took some time to do each individually. Learned to perfect a certain type and then moved on to another til I realized everyone else was doing one or two styles and I couldn’t find my niche. I had a conversation with a friend who told me my style was very much similar to my mentor’s style and I had spent so much time trying to do what he does in the way he does that “my style” had just been a cheap knock off of his style. So I started branching out and learning from other photographers. I always thought there was some arbitrary goal line for each style that I needed to perfect and later realized that I should start multi-tasking. So I started shooting whatever style my clients were looking for and learned as I did it. Eventually my work became a conglomeration of all the styles I had learned from different photographers with my own style mixed in. And that became my style. So don’t limit yourself. Learn what you can and don’t try to fit yourself into a box of only doing one style or another. Then you’ll find yourself.

Joshua, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Nearly 5 years ago I started looking for a creative outlet. I was in a very banal sales job and my creative side was starving. One of my co-workers was also a freelance photographer shooting very creative art. I was fascinated by his work and his style and he took me on as an apprentice. In the beginning it was a lot of toting around his equipment and learning lighting techniques as I went. The more and more I helped him, the more and more he encouraged me to participate. So during shoots he would give me his camera and help me work through all the settings. After the shoot he would teach me how to clean the cameras and get your camera bag and equipment ready for the next shoot. Then he would teach me Photoshop and editing. So he taught me from start to finish.

Now I provide a large amount of styles of photography for a wide variety of clients. I shoot everything from family portraits to artistic fantasy photography. I also create logos, flyers, business cards, comp cards and other digital art. I help small businesses by providing affordable business cards and logos to help them thrive.

I also mentor other photographers and train models to give back to the community what they gave me. A chance. I teach photography, runway walking, editing, model/photographer safety and etiquette and the basics of modeling.

Not everyone is perfect. I have made my fair share of mistakes in learning the business. But I have taken those mistakes and learned and grown from those experiences and I find it to be imperitive that I pass on that knowledge so that other professionals don’t make the same mistakes.

I love creating memories for people. Giving them a chance to feel better about themselves and to produce images they can be proud of. I love helping models and photographers reach their goals and create a brand for themselves just as I did.

At one point I did a photoshoot as a favor for a friend. I shot family portraits for a family who’s grandmother had stage 5 cancer. Together we created the last photo memories that family would have because shortly after the shoot, the grandmother died. They told me they used some of my photos at the funeral and that story touched my heart and mind in a profound way. Now, once a month, I try to do a free shoot for a person or family without the means to otherwise afford a shoot in honor of this family.

A lot of times a photoshoot can be a form of therapy. It helps people regain their confidence, their self-worth. It reforms bonds with their friends and family. There is power in photography and I love giving that to each of my clients. So it helps them and in turn I feel amazing for helping.

So I encourage everyone, whether they think they are photogenic or not, to take the time to book a shoot and capture some memories. Take the time to create something magical! It could be just what you need to get you through the day!

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Use every resource you have available. Social media, word-of-mouth, but most importantly, showcase your work to as many people as you can and as often as you can. Think of it like those ads you see over and over and over again. They get stuck in your head. That’s where you want to be. In your client’s head, so that when they decide its time for a shoot, the first person that comes to mind is YOU and your business.

Create a broad set of products for your clients. Be flexible and dedicated and make sure to pay enough attention to the final product to make it your absolute best, Deliver quality and they will come back, Make sure they are happy with the final product and they will tell their friends and family. Care about your clients.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Start by posting your work every day. And don’t post it all at once. It’s very tempting to just post an entire shoot all at once. But then you’ll only get a small wave of social media attention. Post little by little and spread it out. Keep your media wave consistent. Post certain shots exclusively to one account or the other and then direct traffic on other social media to these exclusive shots so that you build all your platforms. With certain social media you can schedule posts. If you know you’ll be unable to post for a short period of time, schedule posts so that they post during that time. Any gap in your social media presence and you lose the attention of potential clientele. Learn to hashtag properly. There are lots of videos on the internet out there about learning the secret ways of social media. Find out what works best for you and stick to it. If you get too busy, hire someone else to manage your social media. Build chat rooms or groups with clients so you can post your specials and drum up business. Don’t neglect any opportunities for publicity. No media opportunity is ever beneath you or not enough. You never know when that ad or magazine or live interview might be what lands you a really lucrative client. Adapt. Chase after those contests and art shows and chances to shine. And appreciate other artists. It doesn’t hurt to like your competition’s posts .Build community as opposed to competition. And then when they respond to your comments, they’ll be in your algorithm and see your work and hopefully return the favor. Having the support of your peers on social media can be a big boost to your social media audience. Plus, if they share your work to their social media, you can start getting some of their clients to book you too.

The biggest thing about social media is that you simply CANNOT respond to negativity in a negative way. There are going to be haters out there. People who simply are jealous of your success or people who are just bored or angry enough with their life to want to make yours just as miserable. Ignore them all. Or tell them thank you for their point of view and move on. Do not engage the trolls. They will pull you into the gutter and beat you by homefield advantage. You never win in these situations. The truth always comes out. Just maintain good character and professionalism and your reputation will speak for you. But as soon as you let your “enemies” get the better of you, people will remember that above all else. It will ruin your career. Let them spout off and let your reputation be your defense.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/virtual.instinct.photography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/virtual.instinct.photography

Image Credits
Madeline Jones, Angelita Jines, Rachel Michels, Lola Menalo, Mason Brody, Jay Hart, Kirankumar Rayaprolu, Ronda Gully, Victor Page, Taylor Christine, Dominique Nevarez, Brando Buxx,