Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerry Walker.
Hi Jerry, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I worked for a very successful photography company for 6 years where I worked my way up from a PT photographer all the way up to a regional manager.
Jan 2019 (the week of my birthday) the photography company suddenly without warning shut down nationwide closing over 200 studios across the USA.
None of the employees received any severance pay or anything, I lost my car, my apartment, and shortly after even went through a bad breakup calling off my wedding.
I was at my lowest point in life… going from a six years career to DEAD BROKE seemingly overnight.
I decided to start taking photo sessions in my living room under the name Atlanta Portrait Studio.
I set up a small background in my living room and came up with package prices and even made a free webpage online.
I was broke and determined. After much prayer and faith… and depressing times… I began to pay my bills by taking customers from my living room.
Which, started to get a little risky during covid. I decided it was time to find a studio space! Little did I know I would have to sell both my legs and arms to afford a small storefront space as they are NOT CHEAP!
I had given up looking, then… randomly I received an email from the same shopping center where I used to work.. omg… they were offering me a space… In the same center where I suddenly lost my job… this seemed like fate… so I negotiated a contract with the center and Atlanta Portrait Studio’s storefront location was born!
This month June 2022 marks the one-year anniversary for Atlanta Portrait Studio’s first official location and I am proud to say that the business is thriving functioning now with me and two employees.
I hope that my story will encourage someone who has been thrown a curve ball in life or who is at their lowest to not give up and keep going because there is always a bigger blessing on the other side!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Atlanta Portrait Studio specializes in family portraits and children but we also do other things such as graduation photos, business headshots and high fashion shoots.
So far I am most proud of keeping the business going 100 % alone as a solo owner which is very hard to do.
I also kept the business open this whole time while completely funding it out of pocket which is also very difficult to accomplish.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in a very small town in Mississippi. I didn’t go to a big fancy school or even know that paying to park your car was a thing until I moved to Atlanta as an adult.
I have always stuck out from the crowd and always had “outrageous” dreams and wishes.
I’ve always been kind-hearted but firm in knowing exactly what I want and how I want it.
Pricing:
- Packages A B C or VIP
- A 160
- B 250
- C 360
- VIP 700
Contact Info:
- Website: AtlantaPortraitStudio.com
- Instagram: @atlantaportraitstudio
- Facebook: @atlantaportraitstudio
Image Credits
Jerry Walker Atlanta Portrait Studio
