Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony “AJ” Franklin.
Anthony, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My story started about two years ago with a GoPro Camera, taking selfies and pictures of other people. Friends would tell me that the photos I took with my GoPro were great. That is when my passion for photography started to grow. Once you choose a side between camera brands, it is hard to switch over because of the cost involved. So, I did some research, and I ended up choosing Nikon. I bought my first entry-level DSLR and supplemented with that a book for Dummies to speed up the process of learning and to better my craft. I also started watching YouTube videos which I used to understand different lighting situations and equipment I should by starting entry level. I started just taking graduation pictures of students on campus at Nova Southeastern University and then saved up enough money from these sessions to buy my first professional camera. Friends told me that it seemed like I had a natural eye for photography that I ended up learning a lot in such a short period.
That summer after I graduated undergrad, I started to receive inquiries about events, engagement sessions, and baby showers. I will never forget the first event that I did because it was one that messed up big time. But learning from my mistakes, I told myself that would not happen again. I did not want that one event to get me discouraged. I used it as a learning lesson that I was not on the high horse yet. In the summer of 2017, I was able to start my own company, FlyShots by Franklin, LLC. I finally found something that I was passionate about. I put a lot of work at my company that summer. The money I made would go straight back into my business. I purchased business cards, had a professional logo made and purchased marketing materials. To grow my portfolio, I chose to do a few events pro bono. I do not regret doing those events, because I looked at it from the standpoint of return on investment. From there it everything started to take off. Event after event, portrait sessions, engagements and evening added a wedding to my growing portfolio.
I started graduate school at Nova Southeastern University in the fall of 2017, I had to balance school work along with working and managing my business. I did that for an entire year until I graduated. I never planned to start my own photography business because my plan was always to become an attorney. That is when I had a tough choice to make, leave South Florida, where I was happy, where business was booming or go out of state for law school. I thought about it hard, but I ended choosing to go to the University of Kentucky College of Law. At times I questioned myself on why I decided to leave a place I called home; however, I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and don’t question life. I moved from South Florida, at the end of summer 2018. I thought everything was done and I would lose everything I have worked for. However, because I had built a solid client base and because of my hard work, clients have personally flown me back to South Florida for weddings and events.
I can honestly say that, as a twenty-five-year-old African-American male, who has had to work everything I have today, that I am thankful to be where I am right now, in law school, a self-taught photographer/videographer and the CEO of FlyShots by Franklin, LLC. If I had asked myself, five years ago where I would be today, photography would not have been in the picture. Coming up on what will be two years since the founding of FlyShots by Franklin, LLC in May 2019, is a blessing in which I am very thankful for. I started with one entry-level camera, but now I have three professional cameras. I started just doing photography but now added I added videography. I learned that you can never become comfortable in your position because there is always someone who is better than what you do and how you do it, which pushes my passion for learning every day to become a better photographer/videographer. Finally, I want to say that I am a well-rounded photographer, but my niche or specialty is portraits of people and events (i.e., weddings, baby showers, corporate events, etc.).
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My biggest challenge was finding who I was going to be. I needed to find my identity and what was going to be my style of shooting/editing. When I first started, I was caught up in trying to mimic what other photographers were doing, whether I saw it on Instagram or YouTube. But eventually, I realized that wasn’t my style when reflecting on my work regarding editing the color contrast, lighting, and exposure of an image. Another issue I faced, was money to buy better equipment. Breaking into the photography industry is expensive. Where a good camera lens would cost anywhere $1,500 to $2500 or where a good, solid, professional camera, can be over $3,000, could discourage some people from taking the next step into becoming a true professional. You could always depend on friends or family to help you out, but I wanted this to be me. I wanted to show I could build a business from the ground up without any help at the age of 23 at the time. So, I took a huge risk and bought camera equipment more than $5,000 and placed it on a credit card. Combined with the frustration of not having a large client base, at times, I didn’t know if I would be able to pay it off within the twelve-month timeframe I was given. The struggle was hard, almost making me questioned did I make the right decision. I wanted to give up, but I endured tough times.
Nonetheless, here I am today after very rough times, I am proud to say in the words of Antonio Brown, “business is booming.”Throughout all of this and even going through this “breaking in phase,” I focused on the possibilities of having a successful business, not on the potential for failure. Going through this made me appreciate what I had built and overcome.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’m passionate about my work as well as my client’s satisfaction and will go above and beyond to produce the highest quality images or video for them! I will go to great lengths to capture the right moment for a client through my motto “All about the Angle,” even if that means laying on the ground, stepping in a puddle or even climbing a tree. With a variety of offerings to choose from, I am sure clients will be happy working with me whatever the occasion may be whether it’s weddings, graduation portraits, family portraits, events and much more. My specialty and what I am well known for is portraits of people and events (i.e., weddings, baby showers, corporate events, etc.). Although I have just added videography to my business, my strong suit is still photography. I know I am not the best at what I do, but I shoot every event or every portrait session like I am the best.
I am proud to capture moments of people that they can look back and reflect on that particular moment in time. When I see clients reactions through text or in person to my work, that only fuels me to be a get better and be better for the next client. My company has thrived off of word of mouth which is why I take every session or event very seriously. The work I send to clients is a reflection of my business which is why I try to capture moments that they can tell their friends and family about.
What sets me apart from others is my attention to detail. Understanding my client’s needs is something I take very seriously because a clients word goes a long way with others especially in the South Florida community. I am very patient and considerate to make sure the clients get the most out there session or event they hired me to do. The biggest thing that I am a well-rounded photographer. Although I have my strong suites, you ask me to take a picture of anything I will do it and it well.
What’s your outlook for the industry over the next 5-10 years?
The industry seems to be moving from DSLR cameras to mirrorless cameras and equipment seems to be getting more expensive.
Pricing:
- Eveent Photography – $150 per hour (Does not include Videography) Subject to travel charges
- Event Videography – $375 2-3 hours of coverage, 2-3 min Recap Highlight Video (packages may receive discounted rate with photography bundle) (Subject to Travel Charges)
- Gradution Session – $125 per hour, including outfit changes (Subject to Travel Charges)
- Portrait Session – $125, 1 hour, 1 Location, 20 High Resolution Images (Subject to Travel Charges)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.franklinfly.photos/
- Phone: 8505165434
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flyshotsbyfranklin/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franklinfly.photos/
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
