Meet Benjamin Kenneth Tomlinson of EPN Productions in Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Benjamin Kenneth Tomlinson.

Benjamin, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My story began as most do, from very small beginnings. I got accepted to Southern Polytechnic State University (now known as Kennesaw State University) as a Software Engineering student. I just moved away from home with nothing, but my bike, my car and several boxes that needed to be moved up four flights of stairs. I was 17 and was quite timid. After a devastating financial crisis at home, there was no money to pay for school, so the funds had to be borrowed. I wasn’t sure that this thing called “college” was something I was truly cut out for. However, I quickly realized, that there are a few things I would keep in mind and cherish to this day. Starting with FAMILY: my brother, niece, and nephew helped me move in which shifted my feeling of being outcasted and alone, to feel supported and loved. As I began college, having flunked out of the Math Placement test, I was placed at the bottom of the academic totem pole, starting in remedial math classes. I overlooked my discrepancies and continued through freshman year, quickly acquiring FRIENDS, but also realized that they come and go about as quickly as the sunsets. Fast forward through Sophomore year, junior year and several failed relationships later, I begin to hone in and FOCUS on my identity. This includes more healthy (smaller) friend circles and more calculated adult decisions. As I trudge through college, I am taken under the wing of several mentors and recently joined one of the greatest student organizations I know, The National Society of Black Engineers.

Fast forward to the present day, things have come full circle. Thanks to the support of friends and family, I have opposed what statistics may say about individuals in my demographic and am finishing up a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering. Thanks to being focused, I have counteracted my remedial disposition from Freshman year and will graduate with a double minor in Mathematics and Industrial Engineering. Thanks to those who taught me all that they know, I now mentor and inspire others to express themselves before the world. To seek what cannot be sought, achieve what cannot be perceived and do what must be done.

It has been a multi-faceted journey (with several details left out) to get where I am today, but the main takeaways I still chuckle to myself about in agreement, are these things:

Never forgetting the FAMILY you came from, for these are the people who literally bred you into existence. This caters to my outgoing humanitarian side of giving back to my family’s place of origin, in Westmoreland, Jamaica.

FRIENDSHIP is indeed rare, but just like a diamond, once in its purest form, it is a precious and formidable gem to behold… you just might need to apply a bit of pressure to it.

Of course, FUN also is important because it offsets hard work. “Work hard, play hard and pray without ceasing.” (to keep the ”play” from getting out of hand) This system is necessary to maintain equilibrium.

As grown adults, it is important to FOCUS on our goals and never lose sight of them. I was inspired by this the most and started a photography business, EPN Productions, where I encourage expression in my community through pictures. The focus has been embedded it into the tagline of EPN Productions, “Where we progress towards our FUTURE and keep our PHOCUS in the now.”

Speaking of FUTURE… if you never forget where you come from, you will never lose sight of where you are going.

These five aspects of life: Family, Friends, Fun Focus and Future, paint a vast and captivating picture of what wakes me up every morning. I LIVE for the culture and enjoy catching all of the angles and moments we create every day. I am excited to continue into the next chapters of my life, filled with gratitude, servitude, and aptitude. I am thankful to Voyage ATL and can’t wait to see what FUTURE stories will be shared.

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?
A combination of several financial crises and refining my true identity. From 2014-2015, I suffered from acute insomnia and depression, not belonging to any particular friend groups and began tunneling myself into a state of depression. Over time, I have lost more friends than I have gained, but the ones I do have today really do matter.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the EPN Productions story. Tell us more about it.
EPN Productions is a small business venture I started in 2018. To my friends and colleagues, I am always known for the one “gassing everyone up” and motivating those around me. EPN Productions is meant to promote expression and implement brand strategies through the art of photography. At EPN I work primarily with individuals who seek to send a message – models, public speakers, small business owners, etc. I work with these customers and subjects as a way to convey a message to society, whether it be their brand, their craft, their personality, or their dope outfit.

EPN Productions is derived from the “Eye Phocus Now” movement which alludes to individuals focusing in on who they really are and making the best of each moment. It is important to understand that our brand is part of who we are, no matter how many layers there are to it. I encourage an atmosphere “Where we progress towards our FUTURE and keep our PHOCUS in the now.”

Aside from my customizable quote system, competitive prices, collection of discounts and my network of brand ambassadors, what sets EPN apart is its core values. I believe in making things work for both customer and supplier and value collaboration overcompensation. The end goal of EPN is to establish clear communication channels within the millennial population, reimagine societal norms and alleviate hateful, discriminatory rhetoric towards each other. One day, I hope this will push us toward creating avenues for beautiful, unique men and women to express themselves confidently and freely to the world that awaits what they have to offer.

I am most proud of none other than my customers, subjects and brand ambassadors!!!

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in luck, I believe in purpose, passion, and pursuit. I owe the current and future growth of my business to the blessings from above and the support from those around me.

Pricing:

• Summer Graduates 30% OFF deal: https://tinyurl.com/gradszn19
• Quick & Easy Professional Headshots! 20 edits + 20 minutes = $20 (plus optional gratuity)
• Book your next event or party with me! 10% OFF

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bengineerfuture.com/home/epnportfolio/
• Phone: 770 852 0749
• Email: b_future@outlook.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_eyephocusnow/
• Other: https://tinyurl.com/epnsamples

Image Credit:
EPN Productions

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