We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anthony Fitzpatrick. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anthony below.
Hi Anthony, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is something that I have to deal with on a daily basis. I’m constantly reminding myself that where I am now, is further than I was yesterday. I wouldn’t say that I’ve fully overcome the thought of not belonging in the field of photography, but I have been able to settle in on the fact that my skillset has grown and improved tremendously since I’ve started. I also remind myself that I’ve given creatively to the field of photography as a mentor and creative. This is what keeps me going.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a creative at heart and photography is how I’ve chosen to express my creativity. As a photographer, I’m focused on making sure every client I encounter has a memorable photoshoot and receives timeless images. I want the experience of working with Fitz Frames Photography to be something that sets the bar for how other creatives interact with their clients.
This way of thinking has been imbedded in me since I was a child. My father was a photographer as well. As a child he’d take me and my siblings on excursions through the City of Orlando and take pictures of us in different locations. I didn’t understand why he was doing it back then, but after having my first child in 2013, I understood how important is it to capture moments of the people you love. My father was also someone who taught me to treat everyone with the upmost respect and give more than you take. These ideals are the foundation for how I treat my clients.
After taking pictures of my daughter, I was hooked. From there, it was just a matter of time until others begin asking me for pricing for photos for their own family. I was blessed enough to be surrounded by a group of friends from college, all black males, who also had cameras. We bounced ideas off of each other and sharpened our skills for a couple years. During this time is when I developed the most as a photographer. I’m extremely grateful to John Kornegay, LaRon White, Anthony Andrews, and Rodney Callwood. They motivated me to continue taking pictures and turn what was just a hobby into a business.
As a photographer, I’m extremely passionate about the black experience, with special attention being paid to black fathers. I’m working on a project for black fathers to have space to communicate freely, learn, grown and be relaxed around other black fathers. A safe space to be themselves and be able to return to their families and friends whole.
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?
During my journey I’ve learned that communication is the most important aspect of any business. Setting expectations but also learning others expectations. I’d also say that time management is very important. Being able to set aside time for the minute task will also put you in a position to finish strong. Lastly, I believe that confidence is important. I’ve struggled with this the most, but I’m constantly reminding myself that what I see as a photographer and my decisions when behind the lens is what has brought me this far.
My advice for others on this journey is to believe in what you can do and work on the things you can’t. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and don’t ever compare yourself to others.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I LOVE collaborating with other creatives. I’m always looking for professionals who have great ideas and need help executing them. A simple IG message or email is all I need to get my creative juices flowing. Being professional is the key though. I love to have fun, but at the same time, the creative process should always yield results that match the effort put into whatever project we are trying to complete.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fitzframesphotography.com
- Instagram: @FitzFramesPhotos
- Facebook: Fitz Frames Photography
- Twitter: @Fitz_Frames_It
Image Credits
Fitz Frames Photography
