Today we’d like to introduce you to NaRok.
Hi NaRok, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Before the social media era. I was a young aspiring artist that wanted to become a film director. Growing up, my influences were Spike Lee & Hype Williams. I also was very inspired by my mother’s magazine subscriptions to hip hop magazines & Black Media. Spending time going through the magazines and paying attention to the details and reading the stories of famous black celebrities, I conjured up my thoughts and said to myself, “One day that will be you”.
Growing up on Section 8 in many parts of Atlanta. I didn’t always have access to camera equipment but we did have a lot of disposable cameras. I also remember my mother’s long-time friend, “Simone Green” who is formerly Death Row’s Photographer, she took me and a group a kids around Atlanta to take pictures with disposable cameras and that was a great way to inspire us as kids. She also had her own photography studio on Auburn Ave Called “Golden Girls Photography”. I remember as a kid visiting her studio on hot summer days when auburn Ave had the block flooded with art, music, and food.
It wasn’t until my senior year in high school, when I was able to take a photography class as an elective that I was able to educate myself about the history of photography and how to be a photographer. Around that time, I had a point and shoot camera that took double A batteries that my aunt gave me. At this time period, I was heavily influenced by the music videos put out at that time which was 2011-2013. Directors like Benny Boom, Director X and Colin Tilley were my top favorites. I had an idea at this time which would ultimately become the name of my company, “PressPlayTv”. Which was my original name and later on, I switched it to “PRESSPLAYTVLIVE LLC”.
After High School, I got my first job at the airport and I was able to buy my first DSLR camera. Every chance I got, I took that camera to the city to capture literally everything, lol. I was more into landscape photography back then. I then started to reach out artists and the opportunities started to come. I was also going to Georgia Perimeter College in Clarkston which is now Georgia States Campus. There I met so many of my clients and friends that I still have today. I took more to the Mac Lab they had given us access to because I didn’t have my own at the time. I think I spent more time in there than I did in class, lol. Eventually, I realized that I needed to buy my own MacBook and I left after my first semester and did not return.
Around 2014-2015 I had bought my own backdrop set up and lights. I was still living with mother but I had transformed my whole room into a photography studio. I started taking pictures for indie artists that went to my college such as “217atl” back then he was in a group called “The Ratchets”, many other artists as well. You can still see some of this work if you scroll all the way down on my Instagram page. Around this time, I Met Tone (@tonethegoat). I had knew about him from his songs released from previous years. I wanted to work with him so I hit his Instagram and asked if I could take pictures for him. Little did I know, this would turn into me becoming a Behind The Scenes Guy on set with other artists years later for Boosie, DC Young Fly, and etc. because he was starting his Directing Career. I was starting to gain interest of my peers once they saw me on the scene. Around this time, I also took a Class at “PeopleTv Atlanta” which is Comcast Channel 24. It’s a public broadcasting channel in the Atlanta area. I did that course to produce content on that tv channel which would eventually come in handy later in 2017.
I started to gain clientele and I eventually met a label owner named Jaxz. He was an Indie Show curator. I was introduced to him by a friend I had at the time. He was looking for someone on his team to help him with the artists he had at the time. This would open me up to a world I was just learning about which was the Indie Scene. Networking around that time was so fun. I feel like you really had to be there. Around this time, it was always something going on in Atlanta that you could pull up on. Not to say that it isn’t now, but the vibe on the indie scene just felt really cool around that time. I was then introduced to many artists on the scene and captured pictures and video performance footage. I also had my cousin Dae (@bigdaerayee) here who was on the scene doing work for The Coalition DJs. She would bring me to events to get pictures and footage of celebrities. What A Time! It was then I started getting recognition as “PressPlayTV”.
In January 2017, I curated a list of indie Artists, and released it on Instagram and told people to vote for their favorite artists to be featured on “PRESSPLAYTVLIVE’s Freshman List”. It was my take on the XXL’s Freshman List. Little did I know it would blow up on Instagram and I was flooded with comments and direct messages, lol. I did a series of yellow backdrop photos of the artists chosen. They were all given a photoshoot, interview, and a chance to freestyle. I even caught flack from curators and artists on Instagram because I may not have been aware of the artists they knew. It was such a great idea and I was glad I was able to execute it and get it aired on “People TV Atlanta” which I spoke about earlier. That 2015 certificate definitely came in handy.
As years went, I kept on shooting and traveled with many artists. I’ve gotten blog placements with my work attached and printed work as well. My work has definitely progressed over the years and I’ve learned so much about the music industry/ Film industry. One of my hidden talents is that I also make music. I think that’s going to be a part of my future journey. Developing my fan base and curating my own content. I’m also planning on opening my own Production Studio Soon. I plan on going back to the basics soon on my first idea which was film directing. I can’t wait to see where God takes me next.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth isn’t the word, lol. I’ve bumped my head many times on this journey but that’s just a part of life. You turn those “L’s” into “Lessons”.
My advice to up and coming photographers is to be firm with your pricing, know your worth sound cliché but you truly have to know what you’re worth. The amount of work you put in and the quality. That’s what your charging for. Put rules in place like non-refundable deposits so you won’t waste your time on cancellations or broken promises. Also, be open to constructive criticism and no matter how great you think you are at photography, there is always something new to learn. It’s also great to look back on photography basics to keep your mind sharp.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a Photographer & Creative Director.
I specialize in photographing musicians.
I’m known for my photography work.
I would say I’m mostly proud of my work but most importantly myself. It was so many times I got frustrated and wanted to give everything up but I didn’t. I kept going.
I think when you have a passion for something, it sets you apart from people that do things for just the money and not the art. Of course, I want to get paid, please don’t get me wrong, lol but when you do it for the art, it just feels right.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @PRESSPLAYTVLIVE
- Youtube: NAROKSTUDIOS
- SoundCloud: PRESSPLAYTVLIVE
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/narok/1412887286
