Today we’d like to introduce you to Nate Sheets.
Hi Nate, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My girlfriend at the time, now wife, liked when I would take “cool” photos with my phone, so she pushed me to get an actual camera. There was a K-Mart down the street going out of business and had a canon camera kit go on sale, she made me put it on a credit card. I immediately became obsessed with the technical side, I wanted to learn everything about how the camera worked. I then started flipping homes with my dad on the side, when we finished a home his real estate agent had a photographer come in and photograph it. I decided to go home and start emailing every agent I could find and give it a shot. I did a terrible job, the agent absolutely scorched me about my images! But it pushed me to learn some new methods of shooting real estate photography, which eventually led to large luxury real estate.
I no longer shoot real estate photography, I’m proud to say that. I only shoot for architects, designers, builders, and construction firms.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. There were constant challenges for the first few years of shooting, along with some questionable business decisions that put me in a financial bind. My biggest struggle though out this process was learning that I am a business owner, not a photographer. I think it’s really easy to not realize that in this industry. Once I dialed that in it changed how I treated relationships, finances, and my images.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an architecture and design photographer. I don’t necessarily know what I’m known for, I hope it’s being easy to work with while creating beautiful imagery. My shoots often last 10 hours give or take, so being easy to work with and be around is just as important as the final result I believe. I’m most proud that I get to label myself as an architectural photographer. To me, this is a dream career, I do what I love all day and enjoy it daily. I am also most proud that I’ve grown into this role as an architectural photographer and never gave up on taking my imagery to the next level.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Understanding that you are a business owner now and not just a photographer. I think this is key to growth and staying firm and true to yourself. Photography is often considered a hobby, or something that anyone with a camera can do, which is simply not true. Making that pivot into a business owner role gave me confidence in decision-making business-wise and creatively.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: natesheetsphoto.com
- Instagram: @natesheetsphoto
