Today we’d like to introduce you to Colleen Akoto.
Hi Colleen, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been a creative person for as long as I can remember. I was introduced to photography at the age of 8 before I had moved back to the states, but I really started taking it serious my freshman year of high school. I had joined a photojournalism class and yearbook that made me fall back in love with the art of taking pictures. My uncle gifted me with my first camera at the start of my sophomore year, and with that, I started taking pictures of family’s birthday parties, my friends, and sports games that would occur on campus to improve. My senior year of high school was when I started taking photography more seriously; I registered my photography as a business and started getting real clients and income. During Covid, business was a bit slow with everything being shut down, so I took the opportunity to expand my knowledge on the art and also explore different aspects of photoshoots like landscape and studio. I began college shortly after covid and put photography on hold to focus more on school, but after a year and a half, I dropped out of my major and applied to pursue a fine art degree in photography. Fast forward now, I enjoy being able to go out and help people capture unique moments and interaction. Started working in nightlife, and it’s helped me get so much recognition and become more confidence in my work.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s’ been an interesting journey for sure. It’s had its ups and downs, but it’s been fun. Balancing being a creative, a full-time student, and running a business has been rough. I’ve found myself wondering if it was all worth it, but the journey always finds a way to reassure me. Some struggles have been unrealistic timeframes, people trying to get away with not paying, miscommunication with clients, expansive equipments.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a freelance photographer, artist, and graphic designer in Dallas, Texas. I specialize in portraits and studio photography. I’m proud of how far I’ve come on this journey and the connections I’ve made.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was very reserved and quiet, had my head stuck inside my sketchbooks. I was always interested in learning new thing to help me improve my art. Now, I believe I’m more open and free-spirited, willing to put everything I’ve learned into action.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visionshotme/
