Meet Vine City Videographer and Photographer: Greg Owens

Today we’d like to introduce you to Greg Owens.

Greg, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After serving 12 years in the Navy and traveling the world I began to fall in love with taking pictures with more interest into all the different details that go into taking a picture from just a vacation memory to be able to tell a story with my photographs. I moved to Atlanta in 2012 to attend the Art Institute of Atlanta to major in Videography. After completion, I landed my first internship with Hitz187.9 Streetwatchradio the number one internet radio station in Atlanta. Working with the radio station allowed me to network my way into various freelance opportunities from taking pictures and video for birthday parties and weddings. Traveling around Atlanta I have also completed profile pieces for local businesses to help them with content for their websites to boost business. I now work with a group of talented people in various fields of entertainment for a company called OnTheRiseATL. We are dedicated to bringing all of the up and coming talent in Atlanta right into the faces of everyone interested in music, video, photography, sound production and behind the scenes. With interviews we allow people to tell their stories and we give them a format to show their talents.

Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road at all. From learning that just having a nice camera doesn’t mean you will be able to take the perfect picture to trying to get a foot in an industry that is overran with hobby style photographers and videographers it has been a true test of how much I love what I do and how much work I’m willing to put into it. You have to love what I do like it’s a part of your soul or this industry will chew you up and spit you out then walk all over you.

How would you describe the type of kid you were growing up?
Growing up in Louisville, Kentucky I was a very active kid that would stay outside the house until the very last minute. Me and my friends would dressed in our parent’s military uniforms and go play Army in the woods. I loved to go swimming and fishing with my friends or playing basketball and flag football. My high school years I jumped from under 6′ to over 6′ and ended up playing ball and running track. I went into the Navy right out of high school and spent the next 12 years traveling the world meeting people and seeing sights that sparked my interest in photography then videography.

Is there a specific memory from when you were younger that you really miss?
When I was about 10 a few friends and myself decided to plan a war in the woods near our homes on Fort Knox Army base. We took food and snacks along with pocket knives and sheets to make forts and sleep on. After spending all day fighting we decided to head home but realized we had no idea which way was home. We stayed lost the whole night and we could hear the base police looking for us but we thought it was so cool trying to avoid them. That was one of the best days of my childhood because we were free and felt we were in control of our own lives as well as being scared out of our minds.

What are your plans for the future?
My future is wide open but I know that I will have my own production company here in Atlanta in the next year or two. I also have a few ideas I have been working and planning on for years that I will take to the next level summer of 2017. And I will always continue to help and support the wonderful music and art scene here in Atlanta.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.ontheriseatl.com/
• Phone: (270) 319 9631
• Email: swtvcameraboss@gmail.com
• Instagram: bigodacameraboss

Image Credit:
Natassja Janae
Lexc Alexis
Eboni Berry
Ricardo Berry