Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony McMillon II.
Hi Anthony, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey with photography started my junior year of college. I was encouraged by one of my professors (Mrs. Oliano) at the time to take the class. As a free elective, I took her graphic design class and she saw a creative vision in me that I didn’t really see in myself at the time. As the semester was coming to a close, she encouraged me to give her photography course a try. At the time, I didn’t really have too much of an interest in being a photographer. If I’m honest, my interests were to pursue something more of the lines of film and even to act. But as I learned more about photography throughout the course, my love for the craft would start to grow. After that course was over, I would continue to take pictures for friends and family who were interested in being in front of the camera. The more pictures I took, the more people would compliment my work. It felt good to know that I was given the ability to not only create something that people liked but could also last a lifetime. I also saw it as an opportunity to learn an area of art that could branch off into the other aspects of the industry that I really want to tap into (such as acting, directing and filmmaking). I would decide to pursue this newfound hobby as a side hustle. This eventually leads me to create my company, ‘Crestwood Productions’.
I started taking pictures under this new venture in late 2018. Since then, I’ve been blessed to have done multiple portraits, graduate shoots and even a wedding. One of the biggest accomplishments I’ve achieved as a photographer so far was the opportunity to take behind the scene photos for the short film ‘A Worthy Punishment’. This is a film that is not only available on platforms such as Amazon Prime, YouTube and Apple TV, but it also stars up and coming actors such as Paul Jerry and Corey Laramore.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
For me, some of the struggles that I’ve had as of late were just learning everything that needs to be learned about photography as a whole. Many believe photography is just pointing a camera (of any kind), hitting a button and magically, images appear. When in reality, one has to consider cameras, lenses (when to use them), the settings of the camera, the location, editing and the amount of time it would take you to get to the final product. All of this has to be considered and we haven’t even mentioned the price of all these things. When I decided to dive into the world of photography, I will admit that learning about these elements of the craft was intimidating for me. It still is. But thankfully, I have people in my life who are willing to give advice and show me different ways that I can improve and take my work to the next level. YouTube is a great asset to use as well.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I believe what sets me apart with my photography is my ability to tell a story through my work. I understand a statement like this can be vague or something that every photographer can say. But when I meet with a client before a single picture is taken, I really like to take a moment and get to know them more. Once I get to hear their story and what they want the images to represent, it allows me, as a photographer, to really develop a concept of what the final product can look like. It allows the clients/models to not only feel comfortable for the shoot but also bring out the emotion/feeling needed to be captured at the moment.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The most important characteristic of success is that you truly enjoy what you do. Having pure joy and passion for the craft that you invest in is what I believe to be a testament to what you are able to accomplish. Although there are times where we are tied up in the money or recognition for our work, there are people who have both of these things and still struggle to find that joy in what they are doing in life. And I believe I continue on my journey of pursuing something that I enjoy and make me want to get out of bed, then the money and recognition will come.
Contact Info:
- Email: thecrestwoodproductions@gmail.com
- Website: https://crestwoodproductions.myportfolio.com/introduction
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crestwood_productions/
