Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenneth Hines Jr.
Hi Kenneth, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In June 2000, my family took a 9-week vacation in an RV across America and Canada, where I gained interest in taking photos of the places I visited. I did not know anything about photography at that time and simply captured photos to remember the places I had traveled to. The memories were special and preserving them was the most important thing for me at that time. It was not until December 2007, when one of my aunts bought me my first digital camera, followed by early 2008, during my senior year at Columbia High School in Decatur, that photography as a career ever came about. My Advanced Economics teacher, Pat Roberts, was the person responsible for that taking place. She saw me taking photos of my friends and of events happening around school and she said I should consider putting my work out there online and seeing what people’s responses were to it. To my surprise, it was incredibly positive, and she helped me do everything necessary to form my business.
During my Freshman year in college, I saved up everything I could, to purchase my first DSLR camera. My first project ever photographed was with a friend of mine on campus, who was in the same choir as I was and that many in my choir thought I should photograph. Who knew the initial person I photographed would go on to be Miss Kentucky 2010, Djuan Trent, a top 10 semi-finalist for Miss America 2011? After my Freshman year in 2009, I took the following year off to focus on my business. I worked as a Wedding, Fashion and Interior photographer with a local model & talent agent, Marcus Jackson of Caliber Enterprises, who provided numerous opportunities for me, that I probably would not have had the opportunity to do on my own. I was privileged to work with Ludacris, Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Cynthia Bailey, including photographing her 2010 Wedding and featured in numerous magazines, such as JEZEBEL, Life & Style Weekly, The Atlantan and Celebrity Bride Guide. Throughout my entire beginning I always wanted to capture the best imagery possible, regardless of the equipment I was able to obtain at the time and constantly improved on my knowledge of photography and mastering my own unique creative style.
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?
Oh gosh, no! I had never forgotten the things people had said or done to me when I first started. A seasoned photographer shared with me in 2009, that I was not a great photographer and wouldn’t make it because my images lacked creativity. That angered me, but I am not someone who shows emotion and chooses to keep it bottled inside. The positive is that I express my emotion through my art and oddly enough, it is when I am vexed that my imagery is at its peak! I felt the only way something would not be possible is if I never attempted in the first place. If I failed, I failed, but at least I could say I attempted. Many people felt I was beneath them and wasn’t a serious professional photographer in the making, because I chose to use Sony cameras and not the industry standard at that time, Canon and Nikon. I did not obtain many jobs because of this, but it didn’t rattle me. I was not going to change what I was comfortable with and was going to utilize what I had.
Who knew that a decade later, Sony would become the number one camera manufacturer over those companies, with numerous photographers switching to Sony! I suppose I saw the future before others. Being a young black photographer in this industry has had its fair share of hindrances, to where during my time with my agency, it was seen to not have images of myself displayed online. It was a great move because once people signed the contracts and I showed up there was nothing they could do. I’d commence in the job I was hired to do and that was it. I simply never saw anything in my career as unattainable. It’s by God’s grace that I can say I have worked and do work for some of the largest names in my industry. I broke many barriers that most people saw as not being possible for me and that brings a lot of joy to me. I am profoundly grateful for God’s blessings in that and simply never giving up on myself!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am commonly known online as Professor Hines. I am a Multi-Discipline Photographer, meaning I do not specialize in a specific genre of photography and photograph everything, from Weddings to Fashion, to Landscapes and Street photography. I am also a public speaker and teacher of photography, through my community and various companies I partner with. I am based in Atlanta and New York City and also an Ambassador for ZEISS Camera Lenses, Google and SIRUI Imaging and formerly with Sony Electronics (2017-2019). At the time of this article, I have been photographing professionally for 12 years and a total of 20 years. Most people typically recognize me for my Street photography and being an artist that is always available to help other creatives online, through my Instagram and YouTube channel.
One of my recent gratifying moments is becoming the “face” for Adobe Lightroom 2021. For those utilizing Adobe’s software programs, specifically Lightroom CC, my photo is the splash screen cover for the program. To know that millions around the world are viewing one of my photos every single day is an absolutely incredible feeling! I also have a couple of my images in Best Buy stores in the United States and Canada, which took place during my time as a Sony Ambassador. Local to Atlanta I was a featured photographer during the Atlanta Design Festival in 2020, in collaboration with Portman Architects (designers of the famed Marriott Marquis and Hyatt Regency Hotels in downtown Atlanta). My style is very distinct and my love for what I do I feel is what sets me apart from others. I am always challenging myself to improve what I do. People enjoy my work and what I produce now, but I never settle and always look to what is next for me to do in my life. My passion for what I do, combined with the importance of worship and ministry I feel is what allows my images to be as impactful as they are. I do not feel I am doing anything that is significantly different from other artists, but it seems to resonate with people on my outlook of photography, life and willingness to continuously help others succeed in the arts.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can visit my website at professorhines.com for all of what is available, such as my online store, which includes a lot of my Fine Art limited edition pieces and opportunities to participate in workshops or photo projects I may be working on or that others may want to have me a part of. I am always interested in working with new creatives.
Contact Info:
- Email: professorhines@hotmail.com
- Website: www.professorhines.com
- Instagram: @professorhines
- Facebook: @professorhines
- Twitter: @professorhines
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/professorhineschoice
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/professorhines
