Today we’d like to introduce you to Darren Roberts.
Hi Darren, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I started taking photographs as a child, mainly due to the fact my grandparents always had disposable cameras laying around and fully supported me doing whatever I wanted. My grandfather would also record everything involving me, so it was just mimicking at first, but turns out I had a bit of an eye for photography. As I went into high school, I found that my school offered a new photography course. It was, by far, my favorite time photographing that I can recall. I had to use an older film camera and had to develop my own film. I learned how to properly use chemicals to produce art, figured out new ways to use an enlarger, and got a little into photomontage that I ended up using for my last exam and got an A. My teacher was also new to photography and had been taking the course himself before teaching the class. I feel this really helped our teacher understand any issue we had as students because he himself was a student. When we asked questions, he wouldn’t act like he knew more than us, but rather had just learned about this himself, and was quite willing to pass along his skills. I became less afraid about asking important questions, specifically ones that had to do directly with myself and what I had come to really enjoy. I think that solidified that photography was going to have a significant part in my life. I took a few courses in college, and once I returned home, I started shooting whatever I could. Friend, friends’ kiddos, and then shot my first wedding. I know everyone says when they find what they love it’s a powerful moment. I can’t explain anything other than that. When I was standing at the back of the church as I watched two people, I had come to love share their own love with their family, I knew I wanted to be a part of this process forever. I kept shooting my friends weddings until all of my friends we married. Then it was time to branch out. I got my first non-friend wedding and felt the same amount of love being with. complete strangers. After the first, I couldn’t get enough and have been shooting weddings since.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Haha, no. But I also feel that has helped mold me into the person I am today. I feel that if things always work out the way they should, the story isn’t as interesting. Not that there is anything wrong with everything working out like it should, but that has definitely not happened in this tale. My best friend that I used to be married to (Ex-wife just sounds harsh) always supported my photography. She would push me to get out and shoot even when the ‘imposter syndrome’ was heavy some days. She refused to let me give up and for that, I am forever grateful. Oddly we didn’t have a photographer for our wedding haha. But life works in magical ways and, while we did not work out romantically, she is still such a strong force of support in my work and life. My son also had some health scares when he was around two years old that did let photography fall on my priority list, as it should. However, after three years with no scares, I have started to pour myself back into my work. The experience has also helped me to remember I want to work twice as hard to make this my entire way of life, so I also get to enjoy more time being a father: My absolutely favorite job title I have. And to add to an already complicated life, I came out in 2020, at the age of 30. I didn’t know what I was doing, and honestly still don’t! But it’s also part of the process: Figuring things out as life happens. I wanted my kiddo to know that even if life doesn’t go the way you want, you can still have a happily ever after!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My true passion lies with weddings. I can’t explain why other than I truly thrive under chaotic pressure. I am very ADHD, but it’s strange when I get to an event, all of my concerns melt as soon as I see the bride/groom. It is no longer about me; it is now up to me to make sure that this is the day they will never forget. I do my best work when no one is paying attention. I like to just blend into the background. I think this is why I try to get very comfortable with my clients. I want them to feel like I’m an old friend, who just so happens to take pictures. I love getting to capture part of someone’s story, so I usually say my style is a bit photojournalistic. While my heart truly belongs to weddings, I absolutely love anything involving a camera in my hand. I also do quite a bit of portrait work, recently started taking more sport teams shoots (usually my child’s soccer team), and also enjoy the chaos of event photography. I also strive for my clients to feel like they have a safe space when working with me. As part of the Pastel Cartel, and I have had friends in situations where they did NOT feel so great with the person taking my photos. So, naturally, I want ANYONE, including my beautiful LGBTQIA+ individuals to have someone they can be their absolute truest self without any thought of judgment.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I remember writing an essay in college roughly asking a similar question. While my whole life has, in a way, changed, my answer has not. I don’t believe it’s about having luxurious things in life, about fancy cars, or being flashy. while those things can be fun. To me, it’s the look of joy from my child from being able to take him to school every day and pick him up twice a week. It’s the five hours on a Friday I got to spend at the State Fair with my little man without a care in the world. My time is valuable, and I don’t want to waste it not doing what I love. I think having a child helped solidify that as well… I want my child to remember me being there for every single soccer game, every school trip, every musical performance. I want him to know he is loved unconditionally and deeply. I want to leave the world a kinder place for my little boy. He is going to change the world one day, and I want him to know he has all the power to do so. So, it may not be everyone’s definition of successful, but it works quite well for me.
Pricing:
- Wedding Package One: $2500 (Details on website)
- Wedding Package Two: $3800 (Details on website)
- Wedding Package Three: $5000 (Details on website)
- Portrait Session – Starting at $300 (Details on Website)
- Maternity/Newborn Session- Starting at $400 (Details on website)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.darrenlroberts.com
- Instagram: @photoshock_88
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/darrenlrobertsphotography
Image Credits
Zachary Wilson
