Meet Neely Townes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Neely Townes.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Neely. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
This past year, I really fell in love with dance. I wanted to move to Atlanta to pursue a dance career, but I wanted to make sure I could find a way to make some stable income. I’m still in college so I didn’t need a “big girl job”, but I still wanted to make some good money while building relationships within the dance world. So when I started thinking about opportunities within the dance world, I realized how often dancers need new pictures. With the heightened importance of a good social media presence, I saw a great opportunity to become a photographer. Instagram is, in a sense, your “resume” in the dance world, so you always need updated pictures and videos. So I picked up a camera. I had no idea how to use it, but my friend showed me a few things, and then I just got to work. I started shooting pictures for people, and suddenly I began to build up a pretty great brand. With every photoshoot, I genuinely felt like I was getting better and better. And that’s how I formed up my business! I have fallen in love with photography, and it has helped me grow so much in my creativity. I love that it gives me one-on-one time with people to really get to know them. And I love when I get to shoot pictures for a person who is also very creative because it gives us the space to really make some dope images.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Starting off was really hard. When I moved to Atlanta, I didn’t know many people so I had no clientele. I’m the kind of person who is willing to put in the work all day, but you can’t really put in the work if you don’t have clients. However, slowly over time, as people began to come to me and post pictures I had taken, I gained more and more clients. If you make good art, people will come. But it takes time to build up a good reputation. My best advice is to always be very warm and welcoming to people. When you create a space of comfortability and love, people will want to be around you.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m still very new in the photography world (only been shooting since this past April), so I’m still down for trying anything. But I guess you could say my specialization is in studio photography. I’ve started using Cam Kirk Studios to shoot a lot. This studio is an incredible space – the ambiance is really cool and a lot of rappers come there to do shoots. The people that work at the studio are very hands on and will help you breathe your vision to life. I think what really sets me apart, though, is my skill in directing people. My eye has become quite developed to body angles and how to make people look very natural in front of the camera. So some of my proudest moments are when I have someone come in who feels very uncomfortable in front of the camera. But then, throughout the session, as I direct them – “tilt your head to the left, give me more shoulder, stick your hips back, okay now give me deep eyes”, etc. – they end up feeling very comfortable and confident in front of the camera. They may have started out stiff, but then I am able to coach them to a position that makes the pictures look alive. That, to me, is a really great feeling and I feel like that really sets me apart from other photographers. Lastly, I’m pretty well developed in my editing skills. I definitely gear more towards bright, sharp images, and I really, really love making “dope, atl-inspired” photos.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe in God and in his goodness and sovereignty. Most of the time, I feel like my life is out of control lol. But in reality, I know that God is directing my path and watching over me. I’ve seen God provide in many times of need. Even this summer, I knew I wanted to be in Atlanta, but I didn’t know where I would live, how I would make money, or how I would begin to develop myself as a dancer and be seen by the right people. But God blessed me with a place to say, and he gifted me with an eye for photography (which I never knew I had). A brand new dance studio (Xcel Studios) was also opened in Atlanta this summer, and it became my home for training every single day. And I just know God provided that studio for me to train at and for me to be seen by the right people. Nothing in life is ever easy. And nothing is ever just certain. But that’s where faith comes in. I trust that even when I have no clue of what’s going on, God will provide for me my “daily bread” and that is enough for me.

Pricing:

• $150 for 3 hour shoots (20 edited pics)
• $100 for 1 hour headshot session
• $75 mini shoots (5-7 edits)

Contact Info:

• Phone: 2055204450
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @yungceophotography

Image Credit:
– Neely Townes

Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.