Today we’d like to introduce you to Gee Wilson.
Gee, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In 2012 I went to California with my father and his sisters. I was 17 at the time and one of my aunts was chosen to perform during the music matters segment of the BET awards. I recorded the entire trip on a Flip camera that needed to charge every two hours. I guess after watching me enjoy my role of the designated paparazzi, my dad suggested I get into photography/videography. I never gave it any thought before then, but when I got back to New York, I got a camera. It was a Canon Rebel T1i (I still use it to this day). I caught the train from the pawnshop in Flatbush and went right to SoHo. This was at the peak of the Tumblr hype. Meetups between young creatives and soon to be icons were happening all over the city, but Broadway Avenue had was different. Between 14th street and Canal street was the main stage.
On any day, you could spot Joey Badass, Justine Skye or Ian Connor on the scene. It was special because this was before the notoriety and success. Photographers like Versus, Andy Santiago, Carl Navy & Anthony Prince Leslie were among the first who captured and documented this era. They each had a unique perspective on the life, times and influencers of our generation. However, all of their work combined ultimately inspired my artistic style & approach early in my career. Right before I graduated high school, I linked up with a kid named Berg. He made a name for himself by being one of the few individuals who was popular among the “tumblr mix” and the “hood mix.” It was like he had dual citizenship. With his connections and creative direction, I was able to find consistent work and perfect my craft before heading off to college.
In 2013 I attended Delaware State University and soon after my first semester began, I created an organization called The Society for Visual Artist. It was a hub for creatives to gather, network and build on current and future projects. After college, I moved to Atlanta and expanded my skill set into digital marketing, content production and public relations. I started my first company, We Outside, which is a culmination of every reason why I picked up a camera almost ten years ago. When I was 17, I wanted to be a photographer. Today, I want to tell the story of what’s happening within our culture and how it came to be in addition to highlighting how it all affects the outside world. Using a plethora of integrated media tools, We Outside allow me that opportunity.
Great, 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?
The road to where I am now has been everything but easy. Early on my biggest challenge was learning how to use my equipment efficiently. I spent hours learning the use of all the features and mechanics on my camera and accessories. Post-production was my next challenge. Editing videos and photos on Lightroom and photoshop came easy. However, editing video on premiere pro is something I am still perfecting today. There is always new challenges in this industry. Consistency and commitment to learning everyday is key. Lastly, combining all of my skills towards one effort that sustains my lively hood is my main priority. Subjectively, We Outside Productions is the stage for my passions and abilities; however, objectively it is one of the earliest digital news platforms. Comparable to XXL, Pigeons & Planes, FADER, Paper etc.
We Outside Productions – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We Outside is more than just an event production company. We are a network for culture. Yes, we bring innovative ideas to life through entertainment and social gatherings. We also highlight influential individuals and progressive movements through creative events throughout the east coast. We can’t forget about our annual three day festival weekend of festivities in Atlanta, GA (We Outside Weekend). However, that is all our second priority. It is important that we enjoy ourselves, but it is our responsibility to work twice as hard. The primary effort of our company is to provide a vast network of digital media coverage for events, progressive influencers, and cultural icons. Our platform offers a plethora of content ranging from written stories, photography, promo shoots/videos, music videos, curated playlist, curated booklist, podcast & Q&A Interviews. Our main priority is to cultivate and maintain coverage on the stories outlets are not telling. We know what our market wants because We Outside consists of individuals who live and thrive within the bounds of the culture we are portraying. Our natural initiative allows us to reach a larger audience, allowing us to gain greater retention with our consumers while providing organic marketing for affiliated parties.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Perseverance and fluidity. I feel These are my strongest characteristics. My ability to keep going despite obstacles and adapt along the way is why I have gotten this far in life. We all have a plan for ourselves, but variables out of our control and more importantly the circumstances we have a direct influence on tend to alter our paths. Early on I learned to play the game of life without jeopardizing who I am through the process. That lesson is most valuable to my current and future success.
Contact Info:
- Website: Weoutsideproductions.com
- Phone: 4703744028
- Email: contact@weoutsideproductions.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/weoutsideproductions?igshid=1c6wxogquotuf
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weoutsideproductions-104883104637019/
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