Today we’d like to introduce you to Zuri Hill.
Zuri, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I got started by just wanting to be there for my brother. It was his senior prom, and the photographer canceled! So, I asked my mom to buy me a camera because I had always wanted to get into photography since our first trip to Florida at the age of eight. After taking pictures of family and close friends, my small business began to flourish and I started to gain business from people all over Atlanta! I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to book studio shoots at Genesis Atlanta, birthday parties throughout the metro Atlanta area, sporting events, and even fashion shows.
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?
No, being a photographer in Atlanta isn’t rare, so I had to find ways to stand out and be unique in my way. Of course, when I first started, I didn’t get many bookings which sometimes discouraged me, but I just continued to work hard and not give up. I want to launch programs in Atlanta that help uplift. My goal is to launch a photoshoot series that features kids who have been affected by bullying. I want to provide makeovers for about 30 kids and feature them every October which is Anti-bullying month. Their favorite images would hold a positive affirmation of their choice and we would blow up the images as a keepsake poster. Getting a chance to make a program like this happen would be me conquering one of my biggest challenges.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am a 17-year-old photographer and I specialize in portrait photography. I’d say that I’m known for my studio shoots simply because that’s what I get booked for the most and I think the studio is where I enjoy taking pictures the most. As a company, I am most proud of how versatile I’ve become, doing so many different types of shoots helped me grow and get even better than I imagined I would be. If anything sets me apart from other photographers, it would have to be my affordable rates and the fact that I give raw digital images for all shoots. In my one hour session, the client could leave with as many as 250-500 images that I captured for their special occasion.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I loved photography. I loved going outside and taking pictures of things I would see. I soon realized that the subject of my photography that I loved the most was people. I was a very active kid. I was a cheerleader in my earlier years and I currently play the trumpet in the Westlake High School Band program, which takes up a lot of my time. However, I always find time for my sessions. My parents bought me my first point and shot Nikon in 8th grade. That purchase made me feel so inspired that I started asking my family to come to outside locations for free photoshoots. My aunts told me one day that I did so well they wanted to pay me for the shoot. They each gave me $50 and that’s how I became known as the $50 Photo Shoot go to in my community. I have always considered myself to have a determined personality and I love trying new things. I feel like I grow as a photographer daily. I get inspired by so many things and I have to grab my camera and shoot!
Contact Info:
- Phone: (770) 800-1909
- Email: paparazzipiczbooking@gmail.com
- Instagram: @paparazzi_picz
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaparazziPicz/
Image Credit:
@paparazzi_picz
Zuri Hill
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