May 8, 2017

Meet DeMarco A. Miller of DeMargot Photography

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to DeMarco A. Miller.

DeMarco A., let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a self-taught photographer originally from Cleveland, Ohio. Growing up I was the guy who always had a camera. In my mind I thought it necessary to have a camera in order to document and catalog memorable occasions and trips that Id end up taking. My career as a photographer began as my career in Corporate America was came to an end. In 2012, I lost my 9-5 job and had no idea what to do next. At the time, jobs were not too plentiful. Photography was always a serious hobby of mine. I shot a wedding and a birthday party for fun and the feedback I got was really good, good enough that I had people wanting to pay me for my work.

Of course, I was thinking…. “hmmm I might be on to something.” I didn’t think on it too hard at first but in the back of my mind I knew I needed to find a way to earn, what better way than to do something that you are passionate about. That was more than enough motivation for me.

With one of my last checks, I bought a new camera. One of my closest friends helped my get a lens that cost around $800 at the time, a fortune for the unemployed. In my mind, that sealed the deal, I was now in debt to a dear friend and had to make some money to pay back the lens if nothing else. But also, it was the idea that someone believed in my talent, my drive and ambition, someone other than myself. There were only a handful of people at the time who actually supported me, they know who they are and they never gave up on me.

Like most people starting out, I shot any and everything often friends, toys, and pets I never looked back. Early on in my journey, in my second year of making a living as a photographer, I was fortunate enough to land a contract with a studio that specialized in shooting hotels all over the world. In my mind this was the formal training that I never had being self-taught, I thought to myself “now I can get any all questions I have answered and learn what I do not already know.”

As a Photography Director I once work with said, “I was the perfect kind of raw photographer with natural talent that he could mold, I was like putty in his hands.” I parted ways with that studio two years ago and began to work on building a business in Atlanta and that how I ended up where I am today.

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?
No, it has definitely not been a smooth road. Lots of setbacks, rework, failures, and so on. But one constant is that every failure was really a success. It sounds cliché but you really do learn quite a bit from failures and setbacks so long as you don’t give up and keep at it no matter how hard. Staying positive and focusing on having positive energy goes a long way and you attract other positive things.

Self-doubt, no cash, learning curve, rejection, and the notion that everyone is a photographer all played a part in the challenges I faced early on.

Thanks to my business background I may have had it a bit easier than some from the business development stand point. I already knew how to write a business plan, create business forms, and tackle any sales and marketing initiatives.

On the flipside, my learning curve as a photographer was steep. I was learning how to improve my skill and technique, learning how to edit, and doing business development all while trying to make a buck, a one man wrecking crew.

Being humbled in life.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with DeMargot Photography – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I make my living in the business of photography as an Architectural and Interior Photographer primarily. I also shoot a good bit of Food & Restaurants.

Like most tales that start-ups have, I had hopes and dreams of making it as a small business. Today, it is a real business that is competitive and produces commercially viable content to its clients.

I think the story of the journey is what helps to set us apart. Humble beginnings, for sure. I appreciate every interaction and opportunity, they don’t always work out but appreciated nonetheless. Relationships, being on time, calling if you going to be late, managing expectations, these all go into separating from the pack.

Also, when trying to make your dream into a reality finances are important and its ok to have a side job to make ends meet while building your business. When I first started, I was against the idea of having a part-time job because it meant that I was not a full-time photographer, absolutely false. Gotta start somewhere and without a pile of cash on hand, a second job sounds fitting. I don’t have as much time as I used to but during slow weeks, you might find me picking you up for a night on the town, as your Uber Driver.

I now look at the word “struggle” and think “test of character.”

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Honestly, I am very optimistic about the future, everyday really does present a new opportunity in my world. It wasn’t always the case and lots of hard work is one of the constant requirements.

Aside from wanting to grow both personally and professionally, I see myself creating more brand awareness for the business as well as meeting new potential clients

No big changes in the immediate future. I have a few projects planned for later in the year. Eventually, I would like to share my acquired knowledge in a teaching and mentoring capacity, respectively.

At the end of the day I love being behind the camera and as long as I can keep shooting and improving the future is bright!

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