Today we’d like to introduce you to Keeton Holder.
Hi Keeton, 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?
I have always had a passion for creativity and imagination. Through many different methods, I’ve been able to express myself and my artistic inhibitions since I was a child. However, these expressions really started to materialize when I took an introduction to broadcast class in eighth grade. Not only did this introduce me to a visual medium that I had never experienced, but it also built the foundations of my knowledge in design and composition. I took these basics and from there, continued with film classes that I took throughout high school. It was these classes, along with my older brother, Cale, that taught me how to use a camera and to translate my internal vision into a product that communicated emotion as well as a story. Since grasping the techniques that construct a truly empowering visual creation, I’ve been able to transfer these skills into the mediums I most often work with today. Through 5 years of experience in photography and videography, and 3 years of graphic design, I have worked and researched the intricacies of each of these visual languages to strengthen my work, and more importantly, the stories that lie beneath it.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I am very grateful for the resources that I have been so fortunate to have that helped to accel my creative career. I’ve been blessed with an incredibly supportive family that provides me with supplies to enhance my skills and prepare me for the future. This was very important to me a few years ago when I went through the process of coming out as bisexual. This was a very difficult stage in my life as I was coping with depression and anxiety at the same time, both of which I still face today. I found it very difficult to produce work at the time because I was oftentimes afraid of rejection or that it would be misunderstood, reflecting my inner emotions towards the world. However, I was later able to incorporate these feelings and stories into my work. In fact, I decided to produce a short-subject documentary centering around queer teen stories during the summer proceeding my coming out. This documentary was eventually selected for screening at the All-American High School Film Festival – the largest student film festival in the world. The documentary was screened during the festival at the Times Square AMC theatre in New York City in October of 2019. This was incredibly liberating to experience and helped encourage me to further incorporate stories and issues that are personal to me into my work.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a digital media specialist, I mainly focus on three areas of content – photography, videography, and graphic design. While I have worked with clients in all three of these areas, I most often work in and am most known for portrait photography sessions. I’ve worked substantially with high school seniors for senior photo sessions, but also have been hired for family photos, maternity shots, and other miscellaneous shoots for one reason or another. Though this isn’t a specific piece of work, I am most proud of the brand I have built surrounding my media production. For as long as I can remember, I’ve believed that true success is found in the ability to do something you love. By building this brand, I’ve gathered many years of experience in fields that I am passionate about, and given myself opportunities to further these passions in the future. What sets me apart from others is that I put experience and learning before anything else when I work. Because of this, I have gained rare learning experiences that many people never get the opportunity to partake in. It’s also allowed me to maintain low pricing, as finances are held in a secondary position in my brand.
Any big plans?
I will be studying graphic design and photography at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, starting in the fall quarter of 2021. This will be a huge change both personally and creatively, but I am very excited to see what the new environment brings in personal growth and how these experiences will shape the stories I am able to tell going forward. Chicago is a culturally rich city that overflows with artistic minds and I cannot wait to contribute to and benefit from its vast creative influences.
Pricing:
- Photography – $55/hr for 1 hour, $45/hr for 2+ hours
- Videography and Graphic Design – Contact me for a quote!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.keetonholder.photography
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keetonholder/
Image Credits:
Adam Lock
