Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Publication Date

2024

College

Entertainment and Music Business, Mike Curb College of

Department

Entertainment Industry Studies

BURS Faculty Advisor

Armon Means

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Abstract

What Fuels Me as a Photographer?

Many photographers don’t realize their ability and opportunity to give back and make a difference. I believe photography extends beyond taking a series of photographs. For me, it is my way of serving others, connecting with people, and sharing their stories. I believe photography is a powerful tool to inspire change in communities—especially in those that are underserved. Photos are visual statements of humanity: an abstract of our failures, ignorance, arrogance, compassion, resilience, progress, and so much more. I want my photography to go beyond a small circle of influence. All of us have seen how one photo can raise awareness, ignite conversation, open doors, and generate moral and financial support. So, with any photo I take, I start with the question, how can I share their story?

The New Orleans Outreach Project, "Conflicted"

My first photography project will focus on my hometown New Orleans, LA. My New Orleans Project, Conflicted, is a narrative photo exhibition about my insider-outsider identity. It is fair to say many locals have a love-hate relationship with New Orleans. My goal is to capture this relationship from two perspectives. I want to get the idealized version of the well-loved city while simultaneously showcasing the frustration and pain of living there. My photographic documentary will include portraits of my family members who still live there. Their stories will touch on racial disparity, the city’s slow progress to recovery, the extreme mismanagement of funds, poor leadership, and what happened to the “Jewel of the South”. Street photography will best show how many areas were abandoned while others thrived. I want to represent photography’s power so that the viewer may understand New Orleans’ culture better. After all, you must not just hear it, you must see it. Once completed, I would like to raise awareness and support to help fund more art initiatives and programs for the City of New Orleans.

A Photographer is Born

It was at Belmont University that I decided to pursue my passion: the arts. My life changed when I declared photography as my minor instead of marketing. I always had a love for the art form, but it wasn’t until middle school that I realized I enjoyed being behind the camera more than being in front of it. All my life, people said I had a future in modeling because of my height. But what I felt when taking a photo could not compare. While I enjoyed photography and made it to the AP level, I felt like my love for music was stronger post-high school graduation. This feeling was why I decided to apply to Belmont University in the fall of 2019. Throughout my studies, I was able to explore the music business and help artists as they pursued their musical dreams. It started to change when I began working with local artists at my internship. Too often, I found myself working harder and wanting it more than them. Disappointed, I decided to take a chance on myself and pursue photography full-time.

Seeing and experiencing disappointment when working with various artists forced me to look inward. Their lack of discipline pushed me to seek out opportunities, establish contacts, and work hard. Due to this mindset, Belmont has recognized and afforded me some incredible opportunities. I was one of four students selected to shoot NASCAR’s Speedway Race. I was hired as the event photographer for Marty Dickens’ Valentine’s Day Celebration with Governor Bill Lee. My body of work KALON was featured at The Watkins Art Gallery (WAG) for two consecutive weeks. And I have worked with BMG and other record labels and signed artists. I am extremely grateful to all my teachers for mentoring me outside the classroom, sharing in my dream, and encouraging me to take risks. Because of their generosity and support, I want to give back to Belmont. I realized almost all of Belmont's campus photos were taken during the day, but rarely do people get to see how stunning Belmont's campus is at night. Several times I have found myself mesmerized looking at the night lights shining throughout the campus. Why is this important? Because beauty made me feel safe. It also made me feel proud. After speaking with a faculty member and Marty Dickens, I pitched the idea to have a series of photos taken of Belmont University at night. Once again, my desire to serve extends to the Belmont community as well.

Nashville: The Heart and Soul of Music

Stopping at serving the Belmont community would not feel right considering the incredible city I live in. Nashville is notorious for its plethora of recording studios throughout the region. I am aiming to make every studio look like a million bucks. So far, studios don’t brand themselves with the same intentions as country singers. Incorporating a highly recognizable brand and photography experience into a business model will be very successful. With enough networking, creative concepts, and Belmont’s support, I feel confident that I can garner success with this new endeavor. Based on the feedback that I have received from some of Belmont’s staff, I know the concept is worth exploring. But what about service? How does this help a community? A photo is another way of telling a story. I want to capture the heart and soul of Nashville’s music scene through the capturing of recording studios. Where is just as important as who, and that is why their stories need to be told.

Why Me?

As a young photographer, I must choose to believe there is room for one more person who wants to take photos. I want to use my creativity and knowledge along with this opportunity to establish important and meaningful bodies of work. Success in this industry means having the proper photography equipment. Pursuing the projects I want to do is made easier when I have the tools that are necessary to make a photo not just great, but incredible. What drives me as an artist apart from serving communities is changing someone’s perspective. I know the New Orleans Outreach Project, Conflicted, will cause a shift in how we perceive party cities. The Belmont Project is meant to show how beauty and image can go hand in hand with showcasing the campus's safety. And finally, my endeavor to capture studios throughout Nashville will give people another way of appreciating the origins of music. Just like every person has a story, so does every building.

I want to be an advocate of real change by showing acts of service in and through the work that I do. If I want my photos to change people’s lives, then I have to participate in that change. As a photographer, I must be a participant and not a bystander. I will never forget when my ninth-grade history teacher Mr. Davidson said, “It’s better to follow your passions rather than chasing the money to live the comfortable “American Dream”. If pursuing my passion and living out my dream makes my life a little uncomfortable, then I'm okay with that. I'll choose a life modest lifestyle any day doing what I love and helping people before I choose a life simply to make a lot of money. My faith and love for this medium is what ultimately drives and pushes me to do this. Deciding to take a chance on myself is no easy feat, but I know I must try.

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