Today we’d like to introduce you to Zhairie’ Hightower.
Zhairie’, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been doing photography professionally for about 3 1/2 years now. I got my start in photography by just completely taking a chance on myself in college. I’ve always been into cameras and taking pictures since middle school because my mom would always get me a small digital camera every other year for Christmas. I would do small photoshoots on there with one of my cousins and edit my own pictures on my phone, so it was like a natural gift for me in away. I didn’t know that it would actually end up as my profession in the future as I wanted to do other things in the art field as a teen such as dance and culinary arts. Once I graduated high school in 2014, I took a gap year off before I just rushed back into school not really knowing what I was wanting to do with my adult life as the things I was into I wasn’t as passionate about anymore. I felt a little lost but with encouragement from a family member, I decided to sign up for school in the fall of 2015.
Once I got to college in 2015, I signed up for the program Design & Media Production where we learned a multitude of things such as video editing techniques, Photoshop, website coding/designing, and more. We never really focused on photography in class but I had a friend who wanted to get into modeling so I would do random mini photoshoots with her on the small digital camera that I had already for practice. Later in school around September 2016, I and a friend at the time decided that we wanted to start a YouTube channel together. I made my first big investment using my school refund check to buy a DSLR camera so that we would shoot our content on it. From there, I begin learning more about professional cameras and the things they could do.
In October of 2016 is when I officially decided that I wanted to start taking pictures professionally. It all started with a simple photo-shoot at the state fair here in Georgia. The photos that I took came out really nice and I was so excited about it. That same night is when I came up with the name Whimsical Photography and I decided to take photography more seriously that day forth. It was something that I knew I could see myself doing for as long as possible and always having an interest in it ever since my business has grown into a known brand that is growing and expanding with every shoot that I do.
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?
It most definitely hasn’t been a smooth road for me. I was faced with many obstacles at the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey such as being overwhelmed, lack of creative inspiration and the pressure of being the first entrepreneur in my family. Sometimes I wanted to give up but I knew I had to keep going and set a good example for those around me. I wanted to show them that no matter what if you follow your dreams and not listen to the naysayers, you can achieve everything you put your mind to. Knowing that in my mind, I just had to keep going and push through whatever doubts I was having at the time.
Whimsical Photography – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
What my business Whimsical Photography usually specializes in is portrait, creative, and urban styled content but I can do other styles of photography as well. I’m most known for bringing a 90s inspired feel and vibrancy to the creative/urban shoots that I do. What sets me apart from others is that I always try to think outside of the box and do things I haven’t seen when it comes to shooting portrait styled photography and adding my own twist to it. I’m most proud of all the accomplishments that I’ve made in only 3 1/2 years in business and at such a young age at that. From inspiring others to be themselves all the way down to the amazing customers and supporters I’ve gained. I’m 100% grateful to God for it all.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I look forward to keep putting out amazing content that people love to see and working with those who love what I have to offer. In the future, I hope to continue to grow and expand the Whimsical Photography brand by branching out into the entertainment business and shooting dope photos (maybe even videos) for certain artists in the industry.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 4783217953
- Email: zhairiehightower@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/whimsicalphotography_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zhairie.hightower
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Image Credit:
Zhairie’ Hightower of Whimsical Photography
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