Daily Inspiration: Meet Colin Warren

Today we’d like to introduce you to Colin Warren. 

Hi Colin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I first picked up a camera when I was in middle school. I had always had liked photography and playing with my parents’ camcorder and their digital camera though. There was a camera shop in my town I grew up in, which is where I got my first camera. It was a Canon C70 film camera that I would use for about 2 years until I traded it for another newer version of a Canon film camera in the rebel series. I used those camera sporadically through high school in addition to a flip camcorder which me and my friends would use to make our own home videos. The Jackass and CKY series with Bam Margera had a big impact on me and my friend group recording our own stunts and what we thought was cool. Up until we gradated high school, I was always using my camcorder or film camera to make something but once I went off the college, I didn’t use my cameras as much. Fast forward 4 years and I had graduated college and I had a little bit of money saved up and I had purchased my first “real” camera which was a Canon SL2 starter kit. At the time I lived in Washington DC, and I was trying to get some gigs in the city to build a portfolio, but I was not having any luck. It wasn’t until I moved to Orlando, FL I got my first gig, and it was pretty major for someone who had never truly shot a concert. I was working for a DJ who was playing at EDC Orlando on the main stage in one of the main slots. It was a pretty incredible experience, and I thought my pictures came out great from the show, but the client was not necessarily as ecstatic as I was with the photos. They were not bad granted some of them were not great looking back on them, but it taught me something important which is communicate with your client what they want in pictures and how you can help them achieve their vision. So, from that point, I was able to continue to get more gigs in the Orlando area, mostly in the EDM scene at local clubs and venues. Fast forward about 3 years my day job took me to Dallas, TX where I reside today. With a newer and more professional equipment I set out to continue with photo and video but despite being a big city, this move allowed me to get more into the country music scene as far as my photography goes. Texas has a very robust music scene where there are a lot of up-and-coming artists and younger artists who are trying to make a name for themselves. This was great for me because it has lend itself to many more opportunities and the ability to grow a network with other artists throughout the state and region. It has also allowed me to the opportunity to work with some of the biggest names in country music. This is what I have continued doing to this day and where I have put a lot of focus to continue to grow my network with more household names. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has not always been smooth. The biggest obstacle was getting started and that’s where it seems a lot of the questions come is how can I get into a concert and shoot a show or how can I just get an opportunity to build my portfolio. You’re going to get a lot of no’s or just no responses before you get a yes. That’s something which I think a lot of people get discouraged at first, but you just have to continue on and reaching out to people you want to work with or just people that will give you an opportunity. From there you have to be grateful and make the most of that opportunity because you do not know if you will get it again. Another thing and this was just for me, but I did a lot of work for free. I know a lot of people have their own thoughts on doing work for free, but for me, I found it was worth it to use those opportunities to network with the people I was around and allow myself to get my foot in the door. That was more valuable to me than getting paid at first. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
One thing that I specialize in is concert photography. I really love music first and foremost and I love the energy you feel from being at a concert. I also love working with other artists that may not even be photographers or videographers, but just artists in general. Being around other creative people charges my battery up to speak and inspires me to capture them in their element. With that said, concerts usually carry a lot of emotion and energy and I enjoy getting to freeze time with those moments and share them with the artist and with the world. 

I do not know if I am known for anything, but I would say what sets me apart from others is just how I capture the emotion of the band or the artist during a show, before a show, or after, and how I edit it to capture a certain feel. I am not sure if that makes sense, but I really try to make the images authentic and real when I am editing them. On another note, what sets me apart I think is my drive and work ethic. The music industry really is not easy, it is truly a grind regardless of what your position is. I try and set myself apart by working hard and giving the client a product that they look at, and they’re like “Damn, that’s badass. “ 

Something I am most proud of is being able to help photograph Morgan Wallen’s record-breaking sold-out show at Globe Life Field this past October. That was really cool, and Morgan even shared a handful of my pictures on his Instagram. That was an incredible opportunity and just shows you what can happen when you are somewhere in the right place at the right time. I was there taking pictures for an incredibly talented artist and my friend Jake Worthington who was opening up for Morgan and when I was backstage Morgan’s photographer David Lehr had asked if I wanted to help shoot the concert and I was like, “Uhhh hell yeah” I am incredibly grateful to David for allowing me to opportunity and to Jake to just even be in that position to take those pictures. That was a really fun night. 

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
Do not get discouraged when people tell you no. Do not get discouraged when someone does not like your work. 

Do not change your style or whatever it is that makes you unique or sets you apart from others to try and fit into whatever the fads, trends, or anything else in the industry. Be true to who you are and how you like to capture a moment or define your artistry. Not everyone will like it, but you will find someone who does and who respects your work and who you are for being yourself. 

Work hard, be nice to people, always help where and when you can even if it does not pertain to your job. If you can help pick up after a show or breakdown and you have the ability to, do it. More often than not people will take someone who is a good hang and not a total asshole over someone who may have amazing work but is just a d*ck to be around. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.colinwarrenmedia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colinwarren

Image Credits
Colin Warren