We recently connected with Patrick Hilson and have shared our conversation below.
Patrick, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?
The biggest challenge in my opinion in regards to making profit in the industry of Freelance Photographer stems from my social media presence. I am just not that big of a social media guy. Granted, I could put more effort into it, but I just don’t. Given how the world is moving today and how the algorithms are constantly changing, you have to continuously post every day at a certain time and make sure you have the right key words and hash tags; it just feels so forced… The way I’ve grown with my passion, I no longer do it for the likes, Now I just shoot because either I’m requested or I simply feel like shooting. The problem with that is very few will find me now, because my social media presence is for lack of better words scattered. Making profit now requires a level of dedication to making sure you are seen and for someone like me who isn’t too big on social media, it can be a bit of a challenge to stay relevant.
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 started off as an Army combat cameraman for the military. Documenting everything from various combat trainings, ceremonies, competitions, arms showcases, and etc.. I always tell people I take photos of everything you do and don’t get to see within the military. Any of my peers within the army would say the same. While in doing so, this really opened up my eyes to take photography more seriously and improve overall. So I decided to focus my civilian life towards model Photogrpahy. The reason I chose that is because unlike documentation, I have way more control over the subject. I can change the lighting to evoke a certain mood, I can make shapes if I want, I can control the scene to tell what I want from a beauty and feminine prospective. Going this direction was a complete 180 from combat documentation and I love it. Being able to showcase natural beauty became a passion of mines within the field.
Most of my models are your regular everyday people, but what I offer them is a look inside who they are. Beyond the flaws we explore that natural beauty. What I do is help being that confidence of sensual expression, and for that I get a lot of them saying things like ” oh my gosh!! I feel great just looking at myself like this!” Hearing things like that make me happy for the work I do, At the end of the day I help bring out the confidence in these models.
I want people to know that my passion is all about the natural sensual essence of ones self. I want people to escape to a world where they know this is their show and they are running it right now! All i’m doing it just capturing it and bringing it to light. In return when the smiles come and the tears are flowing because we have changed the mind set of “I can’t” to ” I can”, I feel like I have done my job as a photographer. The reason I chose PATH as my logo is not only because its my literal initials, but because for me it stands for a way of navigation to a better place in your heart. When models shoot with me, I try my best to take them on a path experience that will hopefully put them in a better light. As long as I continue to succeed in that, I will keep inspiring more kings and queens to pursue the dream and confidence to hop in front of a camera and showing the world what they are made of and what they can do.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding part of being a photographer is the satisfaction of my clients coming back to me ready to work again! After the first shoot is a success, they are already thinking of new ideas and I’m all ears for it! That to me, is the most rewarding part.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source of new clientele has simply been the testimonies of others who have shot with me already. That simple word of mouth goes a long way when you as the photographer makes an ever lasting impression. I continue to uphold that level of professionalism and integrity towards my craft. The people I’ve shot with see the passion within my expressions when I shoot and that’s how they immediately know that this is not a cash cow for me… This is legit a love for me. They see this; and because I’m so transparent about my love for this craft, they trust me and they know I will do everything I can ensure they have the best of the best end product.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.iampath.net
- Instagram: @shotbypath
- Other: Vero: @thepath