Today we’d like to introduce you to Timothy Walker.
Timothy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
So, the path I am currently on started as a little kid. I always use to draw cartoon characters. I remember taking a survey in elementary school about my strengths and what I should be when I grow up. The test came back saying, you should be an artist. I remember saying, an artist doesn’t make much money, not knowing that being an artist comes in different forms. Once, I started playing football and running track. Me drawing again was out the questions because I didn’t have time to draw. So, fast forward to high school at David W. Carter. With my very first paycheck, I decided to purchase a camera. For some reason, I wanted that camera, and it cost me my whole paycheck. During this time, I am in the process of deciding what degree to follow in college. So, I signed up to take a class called “multimedia & designs.” When I started the course, I knew what I was going to college for “Computer Graphics Design.” Now, this whole time, I was playing football and believed that I was going to the NFL. I had tons of colleges sending me letters and coming to watch me play. I even got invited to “invite only” football camps from Nike and Reebok (those were a big deal back then).
Surprisingly I had Ivy League schools like Princeton and Dartmouth talking with me about going to their schools. So, what happened? I got hurt during my senior year and was also dealing with coaches that had other objectives (just way too much, to get into). I decided to go the Mary-Hardin Baylor (which is a D-III football powerhouse now) to play football and get my degree in Computer Graphics Design. A few things happened while I was at this school. It was as if it was where I was supposed to go. I was doing pretty good in football, but I was achieving more in the Computer Graphic Design area. In football, I got awards like the national player of the week, best returner, news articles and was on ESPN for the D-III national championship game.
I believe my picture is still on the UMHB Wikipedia page. Then, on the computer graphics side, I won an award for the best designer, I created an organization called “Design Cru,” to help students obtain experience before graduating. I filmed four short-film movies, design a 3-D building for a church, filmed guest speakers, President Bush Sr. & Texas State Governor Rick Perry, secured a contract for my organization to capture all of the College graduations and created an intern with the athletic department. When I was filming with the athletic department, I realized that I loved filming more than graphic design, web design, and animation. So, I graduated expecting to get a job in the computer graphic design industry. I had the hardest time getting a job, and after six months, I was able to get a job in the I.T. industry. I never stopped trying to get a job in computer graphic designs, and finally, I did.
I had a son on the way, and I was working in my field of interest. One day before my son was born, the company laid everyone off and said they were going in a different direction. At this point, I thought my life was going down in flames with no way up. I did, however, have a few things going for me: my wife & new son and my family. I took a low paying I.T. job, to pay the bills. I gave myself two years to work at this company before I made a change. A year later, my little sister was getting married, and she wanted me to film her wedding. My wife would always tell me, “I think you should start filming because you are always talking about filming something.” Then, my little sister said, “brother, I think you should start filming weddings.” I thought about what both of them said and started working towards filming weddings. My mom was very supportive and was able to help me get the equipment needed to begin my journey. This was the light I needed to get back to my correct path. My sister asked me to film her wedding. I wanted to make sure that I had some experience before filming my little sister wedding (you can’t mess up your little sister wedding video, lol). Once I started shooting my first wedding; I was booked every weekend for the rest of the year. I was able to quit my job within two years on the date I started, which was a huge blessing. The birth of Highlight U Productions was created, and we have been going strong for five years now.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has not been smooth at all. I have my peaks and valleys, like most people. I have been disappointed too many times to count; people quit on me or tried to destroy what I have built. The worst moment came when I didn’t have a place to call my own, and business was very slow. I believe you need these failed moments to create a better future. My life journey has been crazy, but everything happens for a reason. I thought I would have played in the NFL, but other things changed that. I never thought I would become a film-maker, but here I am. I have failed a lot, cried, and been disappointed a lot. My most significant success has come from those moments. Despite it all, I have never given up and will always fight for a better future. With the Most High in my corner, there is nothing I can’t do.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Highlight U Productions – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I have two companies that have the same services Highlight U Productions (for corporate clients) and Highlight Weds (for weddings and family events). A large amount of business comes from corporate clients. We do both video and photography. We are an all-around company that creates commercials, interviews, live events, movies, documentaries, training videos, sfx, product photography, headshots, real estate photography, aerial photography, and food photography. We have worked with Audi, Mountain Dew, Complex, Hyundai, Harvey Martin Dream Foundation, Finish Line, Michael Crabtree Foundation, DeMarco Murry Foundation, Aramark, Baylor University, Mary-Hardin Baylor Univesity, SMU, NCAA, YMCA, Barclays and many more. I have been told that I am very talented and that my company looks like a “10 years and running” company. What sets my company apart from others is the love I put into my work and how we build relationships with our clients on a family level. This approach has proven to work well for my company. The world has tons of people that can film and take photographs, but not everyone has excellent interpersonal skills.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
At Highlight U Productions, we are adding content management to go along with our photography and video services. There are tons of small to medium businesses that need assistance in this area. We are also planning to build a multi-purpose studio; all photographers/videographers can use.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.highlightuproductions.com
- Phone: 469-569-4758
- Email: twalker@wehighlightu.com
- Instagram: @highlightu_pro
- Facebook: @highlightu_pro
- Twitter: @highlightu_pro
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBEM6BwPzUifkAUbhQW7AQQ?
Image Credit:
Mark Allen, Sheran Goodspeed Keyton, May, Euforeans, J.R. Bradford
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