Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Nwokocha.
Hi Eric, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
So I have only been a photographer for just over a year, and I take pictures of a ton of things. I first had an interest in photography when I was a senior in high school because I was on the yearbook staff and got my first mini extra tiny taste of photojournalism. I had always been interested since then but never put in enough effort to improve beyond taking pictures with my phone until last year. Our church, the Faith-Filled Church, was getting back into form post-pandemic, and one of the needs we had was new pictures of our pastors and services, which I took. From there, I had just been going to any local concert, show, or photo walk, and taking, editing, and delivering pictures of anyone and anything that was willing. I would go to concerts where I didn’t even know the artists performing, just because I wanted the experience to improve at concert photography. I’d take my friends to selfie museums and take pictures of them, and I’d volunteer to do any headshot, birthday shoot, or event available.
Slowly but surely, I started to improve the quality of my work, developed relationships with musicians, keep myself available, and it just started to grow from there, and now I take pictures of a whole bunch of things, from people to landscapes, to real estate, to concerts, and I get to make visions real for a lot of people, including myself. It wasn’t easy all the time, and it’s still not easy at times, but I find satisfaction in seeing the improvement in my photos from when I first started. From my conceptual eye improving to editing getting easier and more efficient and continuing to push the creative boundaries, I try to have everything I do be as original and impressive as possible. It’s still important for me to stay as far away as I can from comparison to myself, my friends, to other photographers because that will keep me from being the full me that God made me be and negatively influence the work I put out. I’d want the world to know that I’m literally a regular dude with a camera that’s benefiting from walking in the purpose God predestined for me way before I was born and that I love making ideas and concepts come to real life artistically, whether that’s through photography, videography, design, or any other medium.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been smooth at times, and it’s been a little bumpy at times. Photography the business is notorious for “slow seasons” where people aren’t really booking and “busy seasons” where it feels like I have no time to rest because there’s a shoot to edit. But it’s been good overall! One of the struggles I had initially was trying to figure out what I should focus on, as there are 82672282 different types of photography. I gravitated towards being involved in the areas I’d be involved in even if I wasn’t a photographer, like concerts/live music, clothing/fashion, and real estate. Another issue I’ve had in the past was dealing with my first ever slow season, where I had to get especially creative in terms of encouraging people to not only book my services but stay engaged with the content I was continuing to put out.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a photographer, and I specialize in portraiture, live music/concerts, branding, and real estate! I take pictures and create media for musicians, churches, clothing brands, entrepreneurs, podcasters, other photographers, and property management companies. I think one thing that sets me apart from others is just the fact that I’m 100% myself. I think being fully myself 100% of the time frees me from comparison, allows me to put my unique perspective on anything, whether that’s a concert, photoshoot, video, or anything else, and allows people, clients, and followers to connect with a real person, not just their work, and I think they appreciate that. I’m sure there are more “talented” photographers than me, as there should be, and yet some people choose to work with me anyway, and I think that is due in part to the fact that they can connect with me. The authenticity and letting people in allowing them to do that.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
That I’ve only owned my camera for a year and a half! I literally bought my camera four days before Christmas of 2020, and a lot of people can’t believe that I’ve only been a photographer for a year. They always think I’ve been doing it for 3-5 years or longer.
Pricing:
- Indoor Studio Photoshoot – $300
- Graduation Photoshoot – $275
- Concert Photos – $350
- Event (birthday,baby shower, conference) – $350
Contact Info:
- Website: Ericnwokocha.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/nwokocha__
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Eric-Nwokocha-Photography-108982171691549/
- Twitter: Twitter.com/nwokocha__
- Other: https://linktr.ee/nwokocha
Image Credits
Jaye Hill
Eric Nwokocha
