We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Perkins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Perkins, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
During my childhood, I struggled with resilience, often becoming overly emotional and fixating on the negatives in life. This made it challenging to overcome obstacles. However, as I grew older, I turned to prayer and actively worked on managing my emotions and thoughts. Through this process, I found strength and resilience that I attribute to my faith in God. His guidance and blessings have provided solutions to my problems.
This newfound resilience has significantly benefited my photography career. Instead of letting setbacks and rejections from local celebrities, influencers, and musicians deter me, I’ve learned to persevere. I no longer get bent out of shape over small things. Despite encountering numerous “no’s,” I’ve discovered opportunities for growth in each rejection.
Interestingly, some of the individuals who initially turned me down have later approached me for assistance or services. This reaffirms the importance of resilience and maintaining a positive mindset. By relying on God and embracing resilience, I’ve been able to navigate challenges and achieve success in my photography endeavors.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
From a young age, I was drawn to pictures and films, spending hours watching movies and capturing moments with my camera. I vividly recall receiving my first camera as a gift from my grandma when I was just six years old. I was enamored with it, carrying it everywhere and immersing myself in the world of photography. Despite the inevitable loss and eventual breakage of that camera, my passion for capturing images persisted.
As I grew older, my love for cameras and film deepened, eventually leading me to pursue a career as a photographer. Despite my initial doubts, I now find myself with two Canon cameras, a testament to how far I’ve come. However, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. There have been moments of doubt and frustration, where it seemed like my hard work would never pay off and my photos would go unnoticed.
But recently, there’s been a shift in my perspective. When I tagged Canon in a video showcasing my work, their response praising the nostalgic feel of my photos gave me a boost of confidence. It’s not just Canon; I’ve received praise from many others who have admired my work. This validation has been both humbling and empowering.
Lately, I’ve been focusing on sports and portrait photography, thanks in large part to the opportunities provided by Breaking Point Martial Arts in Apopka. The owner, Charlie Benham, has been incredibly supportive, granting me numerous opportunities to showcase my skills. This collaboration has been a tremendous blessing and has propelled me forward in my journey as a photographer.
While I have aspirations of attending school to further my education in photography, for now, I’m content with where I am. I’m grateful for the progress I’ve made and excited for what the future holds.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Patience is a virtue that I am deeply grateful for, bestowed upon me by the grace of God. As a wise and wonderful individual once said, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” This quote resonates with me as patience plays a crucial role in my life, particularly in my profession as a photographer.
In the realm of photography, patience is paramount. It’s about waiting for the perfect moment, the ideal lighting, the right composition. Patience is not merely a virtue; it’s a skill that defines the essence of my craft. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to capture the essence of a scene or convey the emotions that lie within.
Confidence is another indispensable trait in my line of work. People can discern confidence from a mile away, and it’s a quality that attracts clients and collaborators alike. Confidence makes me approachable, trustworthy, and reliable a professional worth working with.
Moreover, honesty is a principle that guides me through both the highs and lows of my journey as a photographer. There are moments when I must confront the reality of a subpar image and acknowledge that I’ve fallen short. Yet, it’s through this honesty with myself that I find the strength to persevere and improve.
In a world where authenticity is often obscured by pretense, I strive to embody these virtues patience, confidence, and honesty in my personal and professional life. They are the pillars upon which I build my career and navigate the complexities of the human experience.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I’m eagerly seeking collaborations with fellow creatives whether they’re musicians, models, actors, filmmakers, other photographers, or anyone else with a passion for artistic expression. My goal is to connect with like minded individuals who are willing to push the boundaries of their comfort zones and explore new horizons together.
If you’re interested in collaborating and embarking on a creative journey, feel free to reach out to me via my Instagram handle @444hrrtz or through my email at [email protected]. I’m constantly checking both platforms and am actively engaged in seeking out new opportunities for collaboration. Let’s come together and create something extraordinary.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shotbyperkins444.myportfolio.com
- Instagram: 444hrrtz
- Twitter: film2099
Image Credits
photos taken by perkins /444hrrtz
