Today, we’d like to introduce you to Larry Miller.
Hi Larry, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My interest in photography and videography all started when gave up my dream of playing in the NFL. Although I have an extensive background in graphic design, 3D Design, and Animation, I never saw myself loving photography and videography the way I do now. After gaining my graphic design degree from Bemidji State University I studied for my Master’s in Media Design at Full Sail University.
My goal was to work for a Fortune 500 company and run its marketing and advertising sector.
Unfortunately, I found out real soon what too much knowledge and not enough experience would get you in the corporate world. No one would hire me because I was either too qualified or not experienced enough in the field. With no luck hunting for a career in marketing and advertising, I began working as a teacher and found that I loved teaching what I knew to others, so I became a technology teacher.
After being a teacher and creating a lifestyle based on my salary, I found that teachers didn’t make too much money and would need additional income if I wanted to be financially comfortable. Realizing I was in the same position I was in before but with some income now, I knew I had to hone my skill set to make extra income, so I bought my first camera, a Canon T9 Rebel. Oh, how times have changed and evolved.
After securing a camera, I needed a subject, so I practiced on my cousin “Kia Leiani,” a local artist/actor from the DFW. I started working on videos first as I was in my Master’s program while all of these things were transpiring, and we were hitting Premiere Pro and After Effects hard, so my knowledge of these programs was growing rapidly. I practiced what I learned from my master’s program and applied it to my personal work and rinse and repeat. I started to build a good sense of video, picking up more and more gigs and even working down at the Nines bar every weekend for a year or so.
Videos were going great, but I also longed for more knowledge in another area as I wanted to be versatile as an artist and be able to provide services in all sorts of ways so no one would ever tell me that I wasn’t experienced enough in the field again. That’s when I began researching how to do photography, and we are here now. After countless research sessions and study sessions to tweak and fix my style the way I intend to give my clients quality content, it is paying off.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No road is smooth unless it is rebuilt, but even a smooth road has many cracks and potholes underneath. With that being said, the road has not been easy whatsoever, but if not for those triumphs, I would not be the business owner I am today.
One thing we struggled with as a company was learning the documentation side of running a business.
This is by far one of the biggest challenges for a lot of companies.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe you can tell us more about your work next?
I am a 7th-grade Intro to Programming teacher who specializes in graphic design, media design, and much more. I am known for my knowledge of technology and my stunning videos and pictures. I am most proud of my decision-making in life.
What sets me apart from others is the research I put behind every service that is offered and the fact that I actually love helping people. Seeing their brands grow and excel in life. That is what makes me want to keep going.
We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking.
Risk-taking is a tricky subject.
I believe in taking calculated risks and not just risking everything on one thing, basically putting all your eggs in one basket. So, I can say risk-taking is important in business and growing your business, but what’s more important is knowing when and where to take those risks!
I believe every business owner in every industry has taken some sort of major risk to get to where they are today because they started. They started a business and didn’t just talk about it. The biggest risk is to start.
Contact Info:
- Website: donphotography.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donsnapz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kre8tivemillz
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsItuvco3KAv7SnyFGcj92Q
Image Credits
Arianna(@ariannaalora), Onome (@tobimusiccc), and Mercedes Highgate (@mercy_________________)
