Today we’d like to introduce you to Larry Miller Jr.
Hi Larry, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Well, I started in 2019 when I finished graduate school with my Masters in Media Design and could not find a job in the graphic design field that would accept me. Their reason for not excepting me was because I did not have enough experience. This leads to me thinking for myself and taking matters in my own hands to make ends meet. I started putting my degree to use by becoming a full-time teacher and planned to use my income to fund my start-up photography and film business. Within a month of being a teacher, I used my first check to get my first camera and started networking doing free to low paid jobs just so I could build my portfolio and also gain some skills and insights on what clients liked and disliked about my work. Fast forward to now, I own “Don Photography and Film LLC” based in Dallas, Texas. I love to shoot portraits in studio but also lifestyle and editorial photos for different venues or celebrities. My first love was video so I specialize in short visuals to bring a new brand identity to small businesses or even visuals of products or client lifestyles or boutiques. Being in the photography and film industry for three years has taught me to be original and keep it simple in the creative process.
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?
Although it has not been a smooth road business has gotten better each year. Some of the struggles along the way is dealing with unprofessional clients that show up late to their sessions and expect their time to be reimbursed by me or the studio that is rented out. Another hassle is getting clients to pay you what your worth and not what someone else told them photographers should be charging, along with clients expecting all the original raw photos that were taken to be sent to them for free instead of paying for extra photos. I have came across clients letting other photographers work on work that is not their own and that can be frustrating as well.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am first a student and then a creative. I do photography and film. I specialize in portraits and visuals. I am most known for my slow b-roll shots and my portrait headshots and the way my editing looks so natural. I am most proud of what I have accomplished the last three years as a photographer and filmmaker. I have worked with so many dope personalities in the Dallas industry and also have worked with artist “Nana Kofi” out of Atlanta a couple of times as well. I would love to get more clientele out in Atlanta.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I believe this industry will expand its biggest within the next couple of years! More people will want video instead of pictures and or want pictures to be animated.
Contact Info:
- Email: d.o.nphotographybookings@gmail.com
- Website: donphotography.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donphotographyllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kre8tivemillz/
Image Credits:
Instagrams: @mercy_____________________ @osolmusic @hannahsinterlude
