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

Hi Maineflixzz, thanks for joining us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of being an entrepreneur or creative is the kind of crazy stuff that happens from time to time. It could be anything from a disgruntled client attacking an employee or waking up to find out a celebrity gave you a shoutout on TikTok – the sudden, unexpected hits (both positive and negative) make the profession both exhilarating and exhausting. Can you share one of your craziest stories?

I have never told anyone this story, but this life event changed everything for me and honestly can’t thank life enough for it. At the time, I was living in San Francisco, California. I worked downtown at a retail store and had to take the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transportation) to and from work. Along with working a full job, I also did photography gigs after my work shifts to network and eventually be my own boss as a photographer. From concerts to portraits to second hand shooting weddings, photography as full time living was my pursuit!

This morning, on my normal routine headed to work on the BART I was extremely tired because the previous night I did photography for a magazine outlet until like 4am. So, usually I always keep my camera in my bag but that morning I was rushing and had my camera strap to my shoulder. When I entered the BART train I sat down and placed my camera next to me on the empty seat with my backpack. I rode until my stop, then got off the BART train and started walking towards work. As I am approaching the front door to my job, I literally screamed to the top of my lungs and stomped around in anger noticing I forgot my camera on the train!!! I took off running back towards the BART station hoping for a solution to get my camera back. Running so fast, my mind was completely racing with millions of thoughts. “All this hard work for nothing” “I need another camera” “there is no way my camera is there” “someone already took it.” Running too BART, I was already looking on eBay to buy another camera. I’m losing all hope and feel I will never see that camera again. Keep in mind all the content I shot for the magazine the previous night still on the memory card in the camera! At this moment I really feel my ship has sunk way to the bottom. My only hope was that a good Samaritan would see my camera and turn it in to be able to be claimed and picked up. THAT IS MY ONLY HOPE!

So I’m still running and shortly I approach the BART booth where people work to monitor the trains. I told them my situation and asked to check if someone turned my camera because if no one turned it in then its GONE FOR GOOD! Whether someone stole it for themselves or to sell it to make some money. As I’m waiting for response, Im standing at the glass window with tears beginning to fill my face. This camera meant everything not only to me but also my future! The BART employee finally starts walking to the glass an says “Someone has turned in a camera 3 Stops from here, the model of the camera is Canon 60 D.” Before the employee could finish statement, I raised my voice in hope saying “THATS MINE, THAT MY CAMERA.”

I hop on BART without processing that I am supposed to be at work at this moment. Honestly all I wanted was my camera! I did not care about anything else. This camera gave me superpowers, a vision, purpose, and security. I was making a name for myself by networking and doing all I can to grow a business of my own doing strictly photography. I’m on a BART train and got off at the stop my camera was supposed to be at. I walked up to the BART booth and told the employee, “Im looking for a Canon 60D that was turned in by someone.” Few moments later after some verification, THERE IT WAS!! My camera back in my hands in one piece with the battery and memory cards still in there, exactly how I left it on the seat.

Until this day, I still thank life itself for presenting me with that day. When the camera was back in my possession, I told myself “You are meant to do this.” Meaning my skills are aligned with photography and using this outlet to add value and create memories for millions of people. Ever since that day I haven’t looked back. Now, I’m a full time professional traveling photographer and videographer making a living doing what I love. Extremely grateful for life pushing me towards my passion and making me believe in myself. Life gave me a sign and I accepted it! To end this crazy story, I am super thankful for that one person helping me pursue my dreams by being the opposite of the world, a true genuine person with lots of intentions of making the world a better place. To that person that helped my dreams, I only hope their life is full of gratitude and happiness!

Maineflixzz, 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?

I go by Maineflixzz and I reside in Phoenix, Arizona. My beginning steps of getting into the photography industry was going on music tours. I went on these tours free of charge to get my foot in the door. Being on tour enabled me to teach myself videography because a photo can only do so much for concerts, but a video speaks higher volume to the audience and digital world. Learning, building relationships, networking with so many creatives from different parts of the United States. It was exactly what I could hope for as a beginning to my journey being a full time photographer.

Today, I am a full time professional traveling photographer and videographer and video editor. My business has evolved into me traveling to provide visual content for bloggers, music artists, YouTubers, small businesses, corporations, models and private clients. I specialize in portraits, special events, music videos and film photography. I also co-own and operate two creative studios available for client rental: 408 Studios in Los Angeles and Sound Valley Studios in Phoenix. If looking to produce music or have space to be creative don’t hesitate to contact me with questions.

I feel the biggest problem I solve with my clients is TIME! Whether it is the time of shooting the occasion or time of being able to look back on life at any moment is something I believe we all humans cherish. To add, humans love to experience and if I’m able to provide digital content so others don’t have to, it is a huge dynamic for me. One other thing is APPEARANCE, we all are heavily focused on our appearance. It helps with our confidence and self image, and I have the ability to make people feel really beautiful about themselves, sometimes even life changing.

What sets me apart from others is my client experience and word-of-mouth referral. If clients can genuinely talk about my work and their experience with me, that’s all I can ask for. I want to be the talking topic because when humans interact with conversation they build trust on the subject being presented. If I can gain trust from any client, that makes my self image glow in happiness. My goal is that my clients feel comfortable through the whole process from booking to final product. I show up to each project with excitement and a passion to connect with you.

I’m up to try anything! I just love creating! I am open to travel! I love connecting and meeting new people. Any concept you have to mind please present it to me because I like a challenge but more importantly I love to add value to anyone’s desires. I am open to all concepts, even 60th surprise birthday party recap. I will do that because that’s a life moment that needs to be captured and the best part is that the content is yours forever and whenever you want to relive that moment.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I feel this is one of the biggest advantages to others. This takes lots of time and commitment. People today are very lazy and love the quick efficient option. So when someone is looking for a photographer it’s either ask someone you know or go research/make a post on social media. When it comes to the post you could get lost in the other like 50 inquiries about the same post then the searcher is overwhelmed with the options. This also makes the searcher in charge of the hunt for a photographer. I have spreadsheets of emails or phone numbers of all clients I’ve worked with. I usually reach out to everyone even if not about a shoot, just general hi and thank you script which is just me checking in so clients know I still exist. People are dealing with lives each and every day and for me can’t expect someone to just remember you when they need photo or video services especially over time and how saturated the industry is. At that point a person is liable to just do the easy options that I stated above. I tell myself all the time that you have to do other people’s jobs for them because if you don’t life will take over them. Furthermore, I genuinely care that people are doing well in their life so checking helps keep my client base growing effectively.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being creative?

The freedom to have your own point of view and satisfaction of happiness from others. Being a creative artist I literally can use my services to change not only lives but perspectives. In this heavily induced digital world, it’s what we depend on day in and day out. Every time I produce something you upload it so hopefully the world comes across it. Even more hope it inspires anyone. Connecting with other artists is always interesting and something I love to engage in. People who work 9-5 are usually demanding and don’t have much control to think for themselves because if they do they get fired. The ability to have your own thoughts and find ways to express them to the earth in a creative way to inspire others is like the ULTIMATE DREAM! And to me that is very rewarding!!

Pricing:

• Photography start at $200
•  Videography start at $300
• Photobooks start at $20
• Prints start at $5

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.soundvalleystudios.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/maineflixzz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010532346671
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/maineflixzz
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIvWpyt3ihylDgprWWLo7Vw
• Other: Pricing: Photography start at $200 Videography start at $300 Photobooks start at $20 Prints start at $5

Image Credits
-Myranda Dominiq
-Juice WRLD
-Blueface
-Erynn Bree
-Issac & Lisa
-Adrian & Shaian
– Mike & Tae