We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Isaiah Owens (IRO) a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Isaiah , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
The way that I found my purpose for photography was once I noticed that I was able to change peoples lives with taking just a photo. With me taking photos I was inspiring young kids and young adults that they could do what I do such as taking photos. I was able to show how fun it is to take photos , the opportunites that come with it. I have been able to experience some really cool things just by being booked as photographer. I have been able to be in rooms with some amazing people or even people that I have been wanting to work with for awhile, they were at first people I seen on instagram that I wanted to work with, now we have become amazing friends and work hard to create fire content for our instagram followers and the city of Detroit.
The other way that I found my purpose was when I was able to donate to University Of Michigan Cardiology Department to better the technology there because I have a heart defect. When they published my story to help them raise money they put my photography business name at the end of the article which made my day and made me realize also I have a bigger purpose than just taking photos.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Isaiah Owens also known as IRO . I am a local Photographer from Belleville Michigan but I do most of all my bookings in the metro Detroit area. I started taking photos the start of 2021 doing model workshops. I was showing aspiring models how to model and network on social media so that they could become professional models and also learn how to get paid for modeling. The most exciting part about what I do is seeing my Clients face light up after they see a couple photos that I just took from there photoshoots that we are doing. That lets me know that my photos are really good and I know what I am doing. Another Exciting thing about what I do is just seeing the city of Detroit in so many other ways that I have never seen it like. Such as other creators coming together to network together and also just seeing places and food spots in Detroit that I have never been to.
I want people to know that I am more than just a photographer I can also help you with your marketing tactics on social media. I can help organize your page and help you understand how to use your business page and use different features on there that not a lot of people are going to tell you unless there is a big fee.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three qualities that I believe that were very most impactful in my photography journey number one Is patience second is having God in my life and not being sensitive. The reason that I say patience is because you’re gonna have to be patient with all your clients and what it is that they might want to do. You’re gonna have to be patient with all the opportunities that you want to come your way. It will not happen overnight , you are going to have to grind and work hard for everything that you want to do. Second is having God in your life . I know that without God I am nothing. God blessed my hands with the camera to take everyone’s idea and turn it into in life. God has also lead me to accomplish one of my biggest goals which was being Able to donate back to the University Of Michigan Cardiology Department. That was one of my biggest accomplishments I would say being able to give back to the University Of Michigan Hospital. Lastly I will say being not being sensitive. If you want to be apart of this industry or any industry that you want to be in you have to know how to deal with people. You have to know how to deal with peoples emotions and know that If you want be working for big companies such as nike or just a major celebrites or big artist its not gonna be easy dealing with.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I want to be in the position which I can do photoshoots for big clothing brands. I would to work with Fashion Nova, I would also love to be a partner of them to help get brand ambassadors and also help them all become models. Besides that I want to also collab with other photographers in the Detroit Area. The reason that I say that is because I believe that if we work together more we can all become elite photographers in the city and also if people ever need a photographer or even a videographer they can come to Detroit to find the best and get the best work that they want. I do believe that we do have the best Photographers and Videographers in Michigan. I also want to manage more people outside of modeling, whether they are a recording artist, model, photographer , painter I would love to help with there social media such as instagram and help them get there brands out there more and teach them the skills that they need to run a professional
Instagram page.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iro_entx2?igsh=d2FsN3k4dnVubW9l
- Other: Twitch Link: https://twitch.tv/iro_ent
Image Credits
You can find them all on Instagram.
@Rickyjermere
@Nevaehab_
@Jaychefbehavior
@Detroitdar_
@gennstyles
@plainjanechula
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