Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Mullings.
Hi Kevin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My start in the arts began as a child, drawing everything from random objects in my room to creating my own comic books for classmates at school. Watching music videos and movies when I was younger had me daydreaming about one day directing my own short films or creating photographs that made people stop and look. Even back then, I loved the idea of bringing creative ideas to life.
As I was finishing high school, I fell in love with graphic design and realized I had a real talent for it. I would finish my assignments early and spend the extra time helping my teacher with the annual yearbook, working on both the design and photography. That experience even led me to create custom MySpace layouts for friends, which was a lot of fun at the time.
I went on to study graphic design in college, and shortly after, in 2013, I bought my first camera. At first, I just wanted to use my own photos in my designs, but it didn’t take long before photography became my newest passion. I found a group of friends who shared the same interest, and we’d spend hours walking through Philadelphia and New York City capturing street photography. Later, when my job brought me to South Florida, those streets became Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
Today, South Florida is my creative playground, and over the years I discovered my niche: fitness and wellness. It’s an industry that’s constantly moving and evolving, and it’s exciting to tell those stories through photography and video.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think you get very far in anything if the road is completely smooth. And if it is, the fall can be a lot harder than you expect. It’s kind of like the stock market. At first glance, it looks like it’s always going up, but when you step back and look at it over the years, you realize it’s full of ups and downs. Growth happens because of those ups and downs, and I think life works the same way.
For me, most of the challenges have been mental. It’s easy to convince yourself that you don’t have the right equipment, that you’re not experienced enough, that you don’t know enough yet, or that you can’t pull something off. I’ve learned that those thoughts can hold you back more than anything else. If I’ve learned one thing, it’s that believing in yourself goes a long way. You may not be able to accomplish something today, but if you’re willing to learn and keep pushing, you can absolutely figure it out tomorrow or somewhere down the road. That’s been true throughout my own journey.
One challenge that’s a little more practical is availability. Because of my background and the people I’ve met, I’ve built a pretty large network. At one point, while working a full-time 9-5 job, I wanted to get into real estate photography. Then reality hit. I remember getting a text from a client around 10 in the morning asking, “Can you photograph a home today at 1 pm?” Meanwhile, I was sitting at work trying to figure out how I was going to make that happen. It didn’t take long for me to realize that real estate photography wasn’t the right fit for my schedule.
That experience taught me something about myself. I enjoy planning projects and giving them the attention they deserve. I can absolutely jump into action when needed, but I also know that doing my best work comes from having a plan in place rather than constantly reacting to last-minute requests.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a photographer/videographer, also known as a multimedia producer. I kind of dislike that “professional” term, but it is what works best to fit both industries into one. My niche is fitness and wellness brands; typically, think of your local or favorite athlete, personal trainer, or person/business offering wellness services. I am not simply showing up with a camera. I understand how gyms, trainers, supplement companies, and wellness brands market themselves because I’ve worked extensively in branding, marketing, and e-commerce.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Networking has been one of the biggest reasons I’ve grown, both personally and professionally. Moving to South Florida was one of the best decisions I ever made because it forced me out of my comfort zone. I left behind everything I knew in New Jersey and Philadelphia and had to build relationships with people I’d never met.
I remember walking up to a group of strangers at an event and asking if I could join the conversation. It was intimidating, but that one moment led to countless new connections. Today, I’ll meet someone new and realize we have over 100 mutual connections on Instagram, even though I wasn’t raised in South Florida.
That experience taught me that opportunities come from putting yourself out there. Networking isn’t about collecting contacts; It’s about building genuine relationships, and that’s something I’ll always value.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kevinmullings.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevtoodope
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-mullings-3b3aa471/
