Today we’d like to introduce you to Melvin Davis Jr. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Melvin Davis Jr is an Atlanta born/Detroit-bred photographer and audio engineer with an innate desire to share his global experiences through creative originals. With 25 plus years of sports and breaking news camera/audio work, alongside global travel, MDJ Original LLC was birthed from the myriad of original photographs taken all over the world. Several select photos were transferred to t-shirts and sweatshirts for men, women and children.
In 2020, still “the Man Behind the Camera” and active Alum of Clark Atlanta University, Davis envisioned rejuvenating the era of wearing the Letterman Jacket by creating a one of a kind for himself. What he didn’t anticipate was the positive movement it would spark, the attention of other interested CAU Panthers, alumni and supporters of all 107 HBCU schools throughout the United States and Canada, Today the Exclusive Letterman jacket and other MDJ Original designs join the wardrobe of several hundred HBCU Legends, supporters, individual creatives, and business owners desiring a fully customized jacket to represent their brand.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Maintaining every intricate aspect of quality customer service has been a learning curve, and at times overwhelming, for Mrs. MDJOriginal and I but it continues to be a blessing. My mind is blown away every time a new and even bigger opportunity arises to expand the MDJOriginal brand. Our key takeaways so far are definitely organization, time management and clear communication.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Anyone who knows me for at least the past 20 years will confirm that I am a proud Clark Atlanta University Alum, passionate about my belief in God, and a perfectionist regarding any media production. Following graduating from Clark Atlanta University, camera and audio engineering gigs helped develop my professional career. I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the relationships and experience acquired during my freelance tenure at Georgia Tech, The Food Network and BET. Before transitioning to CNN in Atlanta, I spent nearly 20 years with Fox News Channel, where I was afforded the opportunity to travel the world with breaking news. My wife named me “the Man Behind the Camera’ because of my passion for still photography and video, which enhanced with each country visited during my ten years of non-stop world travel. Many refer to me as “that news guy” who knows ALOT about audio and technical operations. LOL! My wife often complains about how often I comment on the poor quality of film and sound whenever I notice it.
If I had to pick one thing I’m most proud of, it would be my three children. Watching them respectively at ages 30, 13 and 12, form imprints and develop into their own individual crafts puts a smile on my face at each milestone achieved.
What sets me apart from others is my creative mind. I’m less likely to be influenced by the trend and have always developed my own sense of style. I’m a loyalist, sometimes to a fault, but family ties and sound friendships are very important to me. I consider myself a perfectionist, so nothing I do goes public until it’s received my very own stamp of approval.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Favorite childhood memory…..Wow! I laughed with the wife because she was spot on with this answer. Guess she saw the souvernir photo enough for her to remember. One of my best childhood memories is going to Bourbon Street in New Orleans with my Dad at the age of 14.
Contact Info:
- Email: mdjoriginalt@gmail.com
- Website: www.mdjoriginal.com
- Instagram: @mdjoriginalt
Image Credits:
MDJOriginal LLC
