We were lucky to catch up with Tristan Ford recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tristan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

The idea for Chasing Shadows first came to me all the way back in my High School senior year. It was Halloween. I was at a party, sitting next to a small fire pit with a girl that I admittedly was crushing on. She brought up her future; one that seemed very planned out; a career and a house down to the number of rooms, including which kids would share each one. So when she asked me about MY future, I came up with something that felt doable but impressive enough.

I was only sort of a photographer at that point. I had a good camera that I inherited from a family member who passed away and was able to take nice photos for the yearbook. But I barely ever took it off of auto-mode. My actual dream was to win an Oscar or direct a show on Broadway. For whatever reason though, that dream seemed hollow. So instead, I made up something different. I told her about a studio that I was going to open; nothing huge. Something independent. A studio with all tools that I’d ever need as a photographer. Not just for me, but for OTHER photographers as well. I told her of a space where photographers could come and enact their vision, no matter if they were new or experienced.

No, she and I never ended up together. Instead I ended up with Elizabeth, the girl that gives me everything worth working for. It was her who first suggested I invest in a few nicer upgrades for my camera, and to take on photography as a main hobby. Back then, I was a filmmaker between a steady job or two; some marketing firms and a popular YouTube channel (not mine; I just produced their videos). Then Covid struck and I learned that no one is immune from layoffs when you work for someone else.

I no longer had a steady income. Freelance film jobs were harder to come by. We faced eviction at least once a month. That’s when we decided to expand our services to include more photography jobs. We took location headshots, shot events, and family portraits, including pets. It brought in more money but just enough to get caught up on the pervious month’s bills, a pattern that would be established for some time. Bills continued to pile up, the car got repossessed, the sheriff made multiple visits to our door. We called upon every favor from every friend and family member just to keep a home and a vehicle. Thankfully they answered the call, but every well eventually runs dry. If it wasn’t for people like my mom and Aunt Nancy, I dread to think what might’ve happened. However, there comes a time where you just have to stop asking others for help, especially if your credibility needs the improvement that mine did.

Then one day, I was called in to a meeting with a family connection. He explained that he had some photography equipment and wanted to know how he could utilize it better. He had a few strobes and some light modifiers. I asked if I could borrow them for the week and check it all out. We met again and I told him that he could probably invest in a few backdrops to turn his garage into a studio space; make a little extra money shooting portraits. He wasn’t impressed. He told me to go bigger; asked if I had anything else. That’s when my mind shot back to the old fire pit all those years ago. I told him about a studio; not just for him, not just for me, but for ALL photographers; ANY photographer could come and use a space and make it right for them.

That’s how it all began. I had my investor and now I had to put in the work. The space was found; an office space with a wide open room and several smaller offices. The deliveries started; backdrops, stands, more lights, accessories, lenses.

We decided to call it “Chasing Shadows Gainesville Creative Space.” We named it after “Peter Pan,” the first story that I ever latched onto and one that’s kept my imagination active ever since. If you look at the lens of the camera in our logo, you can see a compass that points to the Second Start to the Right (designed expertly by Elizabeth).

We opened, hit the ground running, and tripped and fell. I worked for a solid year, throwing stuff at the wall to see what would stick. A few things did. Most didn’t. Six more months passed. More money was invested. The growth was there, but not enough. My investor understandably decided to pull out and to take the equipment back to recoup as much as he could of the cost. The doors of the business would shut before December.

A part of me figured it was for the best. I had developed skills along the way; improved myself as a photographer, and made some connections. Without a second rent to pay on the studio, I could probably make something of myself… but that was just myself. I asked a question that many others in business will tell you is a stupid one: “Don’t I have a responsibility to my clients?” I didn’t have many, but the ones I did have relied on me. Other photographers used the space. They relied on me to help them grow. And that mindset was all I needed to believe that the business had potential. It could work. I just needed more time.

I asked my investor for another year. He said no, but would allow me to buy the equipment off of him. That of course led to another problem, arguably a bigger one. I didn’t have that money. And my credit was still shot after Covid. And I’d called in all my favors around the same time. Even if I DID get the money, I’d be throwing myself into massive debt. It’d be a huge risk, but I was willing to take it.

I connected with a man who I’d donated a commercial to once, Tom. And being the kind soul he was, he decided to help me. This was it. One last person who believed in me. We bought the equipment, moved into a new space and I hustled like never before. I didn’t just say yes to anything. I specialized; took on jobs that I knew I was good at or wanted to be better at to ensure that the spark didn’t go out. I was patient. It didn’t happen all at once but with Elizabeth now working with me full time, we built a stable foundation. We always ask ourselves three questions when taking on a job:

1) Do we enjoy doing it?
2) Will taking on the job help us?
3) Will taking on the job help others?

If the answer is no to any of them, we don’t take the job. If the answer is yes to all of them, we do. Refusing jobs is scary because you never know when the next one will come along, but trust in yourself is the strongest armor you can forge. I can’t say we’re rich today. Not even close. I can’t even say the business doesn’t have slow months. But I CAN say it’s been a long time since we faced evictions. I can say that we don’t worry as much about groceries and I’m proud to announce that our bills are on autopay.

Trust has been everything. Building Chasing Shadows relied on so many different people trusting me and a lot of them ended up getting let down here and there, including myself. The only one who ever 100% believed in this business was Elizabeth. I love what I do. I love being in the world of photography, but at the end of the day, it’s all to build our life together, and those we share it with.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I knew I wanted to be a creative for most of my life. I wrote my first screenplay when I was eight (it was not good) and never stopped wanting to work in some sort of imaginative field. I got my first part time job as a video editor when I was fifteen (which I’m pretty sure was legal) and was self-taught until I got to college to pursue Santa Fe’s Multimedia Degree. On the side, I’m always learning. If I’m driving, I’m listening to a podcast. If I have downtime, I’m reading a book. If I’m editing photos, I have some sort of video essay on in the background. If I like a movie or a show, I find every single behind the scenes featurette I can to figure out how it was produced.

Socrates’ quote, “all I know is that I know nothing” is one that I live by. It’s the start of a new path.

I share many common fears; death, creepy bugs, loss, heights, and probably a few that I’m forgetting. However, one fear that I DON’T have that I think many suffer from is the fear of being wrong. I embrace the inability to always be right and it’s made me stronger.

To quote Yoda in ‘The Last Jedi,’ “The Greatest Teacher, Failure Is.” (I don’t care what anyone says. “The Last Jedi” is a phenomenal film.)

I’ve made countless mistakes in photography but they’re why I shoot with greater confidence today. My headshots have improved drastically over the years.

Real Estate Photography started out as a way to help my mom and it took a lot of learning to get it right. Now it’s one of our specialties and I shoot with some of the greatest Realtors Gainesville has to offer; Dustin, Kim, Jaime, Kristine, Karina, and of course my mother, Jennifer just to name a few.

Passport photos are notoriously difficult to get right and I had to see a lot of my clients get rejected in the early days because of my errors. You’d think they wouldn’t be challenging, but there are so many other qualifications to follow outside of Standard United States Passport photos. I’m happy to say we haven’t had a rejection in a very long time. Now we offer literally every single Passport Photo on Earth. Mars coming soon.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

My business partner is my partner in everything; studio and life. We met at a party towards the end of 2016. A friend was literally asking me how the dating life was going and, having just recently ended things with a short term girlfriend and deciding not to pursue another, I told him that I was finished dating for a little while. Literally the moment I said these words, she walked in through the door, wearing an adorable winter outfit with a bubbly spring in her step.

We talked throughout the party, hitting it off flawlessly. Admittedly, I tried way too hard at certain parts of the night, “showing another friend” how a YouTube video I’d helped produce just crossed a million views and talking loud enough to guarantee she heard. None of that was necessary though. I quickly found that she truly enjoyed me for me and over the next few weeks, we saw more of each other.

Eventually we had our first real date and came to the realization just how close we’d come to meeting before we did. In fact, our first photo together was taken six months before we said two words to one another. It was in a group photo at our mutual friend, Naomi’s birthday party (who is also now the Maid of Honor at our wedding). We are literally standing right next to each other.

However, she was still dating someone and I was stuck in a situationship. So meeting wouldn’t have mattered then. In fact, it might have messed everything up. Because both of us had decided on ending flings a few hours before the party that night.

She was the one who encouraged me to take up more photography instead of film. She was the one who helped come up with the name, “Chasing Shadows” and designed our logo. She’s stood by me for all of this; doubt, evictions, slow months and eventually came on as a full time partner of the company. This achievement belongs to her.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

We hold onto the idea that we aren’t a photography business. We’re a Customer Service Business.

Chasing Shadows has lasted four years not by focusing on photography, but by prioritizing people and customer service. The studio was originally created to support other photographers by providing equipment and space, fostering collaboration rather than competition. Fellow photographers are not my competitors. They’re my peers. I don’t really concern myself with “competition.” I’m doing my business and others have their business. We can exist in harmony without one trying to out-do the other.

Our Real Estate Photography grew from a personal desire to help family, evolving into a service focused on helping realtors sell homes quickly through high-quality visuals and tools like staging and floorplans.

The business also offers specialized passport photography, handling complex international requirements with a customer-first approach, including free retakes and travel accommodations.

Then there’s everything in-between; pet photography, Iris Photos, a Traveling Photo Booth, so many exciting things!

And I can’t understate the power of all my connections and loved ones. I can’t mention them all but a few immediately spring to mind.

My BNI Group, “Capital Gaines,” my two Moms, two Aunts, Godmother, Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, The United Church of Gainesville, and my inner inner circle; Ellie, Tom, Alex, Kate, Naomi, Hannah, Hope, Tuc & Karah, Crystal, Kells, Raquel and Craig.

Ultimately, Chasing Shadows sees itself not as a photography business, but as one dedicated to helping others succeed, save time, and reach their goals.
Feel free to give us a call!
<b>(352)-219-3312</b>

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chasingshadowsgainesville.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingshadowsgainesville
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chasingshadowsgainesville
• Other: Studio Address: Chasing Shadows Gainesville Creative Space 2444 NE 1st Blvd. Suite 800 Gainesville, FL 32609

Image Credits
Photos: Myself: Tristan Ford “Frower”
Tristan’s Headshot: Elizabeth Gray (Studio Partner)
Logo Credit: Elizabeth Gray