Today we’d like to introduce you to Will Robinson.
Will, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a fashion and portrait photographer from Jackson, MS. Being from the South has definitely influenced me as an artist because it is rich with so much blackness, culture, and history. Especially here in Mississippi. I’d always dreamed of being an artist and it feels as if it was destined for me to venture into this lane of creative expression because of the artistic influence from my family and some of my friends around me. I’ve always used various mediums of art as a way of expressing myself but photography is my medium of preference because not only can I express myself and tell my own story, but I can tell the story of my subjects as well.
As far back as I can remember, I’d been into the arts since I was in preschool. I grew up watching various anime and Bob Ross on the PBS channel and begging my mom to buy me various “How to Draw” books and random art supplies so I could learn, practice, and experiment with my budding creative skills. As I got older and more seasoned with my abilities, I became hungry to learn even more about art and to try different techniques with my skills and looking back, I can really appreciate my art classes throughout my elementary, middle, and high school years. They really set the tone for who I grew to be today.
In 2009, I started playing around with graphic design because of the Tumblr trends and aesthetics. This was also around the time when people were really into that ‘Picnik/Picassa’ software era with the over the top graphics and effects on photos and profile pictures. I even used the software to edit and design pictures and even party flyers for my friends and peers, too. The difference for me was that I was actually pretty good at it and it made me want to try my hand at photoshop and really get invested into the whole graphic design trend. I even got a hold of this crazy, jailbroken version of photoshop and started playing around with that and fell even more in love with the possibilities and capabilities of photoshop. It ultimately inspired me to major in Graphic Design when I went to college.
In 2011, I enrolled at The University of Southern Mississippi and majored in Graphic Design. Throughout the course of my college years, I learned to really love art and design, even so much that I began to dabble in photography. I remember taking two photography courses in 2012 and absolutely loving it. Photography was so organic and natural for me. It just felt right and I didn’t have to work hard to be good at it. So I invested my time into perfecting it. I even learned how to merge what I’d been learning as a graphic designer into my photography. From there, ‘ROBNSN Photography’ became a thing. Over the years, my appreciation for art and photography continued to grow as my business continued to thrive. Today, I’ve garnered some pretty notable publications over the last couple of years, I’ve built a pretty solid clientele, and I’ve even got some major things in the works to further expand the brand of ROBNSN Photography in the future. So stay tuned!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing worth having ever comes easy but I’ve never really been the type of guy to give up and quit on myself. I learned early that if I bet on myself, I’ll never lose and I’ll always come out on top. There were times when I couldn’t afford better equipment and even get people to take my work and me as a photographer serious but I never let that take my eyes off the prize. I knew what was for me and I always believed in myself and my abilities. I’m the poster child for working with what you have and this mindset made me a better photographer. My hustle was different because I had to work just a little harder and I had something to prove to myself. My circumstances and disadvantages put me in positions to where I had to learn to be resourceful even with limited equipment and this made me a lot stronger as a photographer and it also makes me more appreciative of where I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As of today, I am a full-time professional photographer under the business name: ROBNSN Photography. I specialize in portraiture and fashion photography. I have an editorial style and essence to my work and I’d like to think that my work really connects to people. I really love photographing black people and using my work to tell visual stories of the black experience. I believe in showcasing us in the most beautiful and rich light and perspective that doesn’t have be reminiscent of our history of black trauma. I feel like there is already enough work and content out there that constantly reminds us where we came from and I, personally, want to showcase us as black people existing, living, loving and being the beautiful people that we are. I am proud of my body of work and that people are able to connect to my work. I like that my work makes people feel.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I see the photography industry continuing to grow and flourish over the next 5-10 years. I’ve been in the industry now going on nine years and so much has changed, progressed, and improved. There is a deeper appreciation for photography now. I love how much the work has progressed and how so many artists have become so unapologetic with their work. As photographers, we are the visual storytellers of the world and the times we are living in and with so much passion in the work now and I can’t wait to see where it goes and what stories it will tell.
Contact Info:
- Email: robinsonnphotos@gmail.com
- Website: robnsnphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koolwill/
Image Credits
Joshua Windham Jeremiah White Devonna Curtis Annamarie Christopher De’Angelo Richardson Lila Geddie Warren Fleming Carmen Smith
