Today we’d like to introduce you to Five.
Hi Five, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Art and Fashion has been a way I’ve used to express myself for some time now. First, it just started with the camera on my phone and my bro and I taking photos for Instagram. It was something I enjoyed doing coming up with a story to tell and finding the right outfit and location to help contribute to the story. All my friends told me I should get a camera but at the time, it was not something I took serious I just enjoyed the escape. Then one Christmas my parents got me a starter camera. Then with all the extra time being at home during the pandemic, I finally had the time to use it. During this time, storytelling and creating art was the only therapy I had. After shooting a couple of friends, I fell in love with something new with photography which was helping people fall in love with how they looked and tell their own stories. I preach self-love and being able to help others love the way they look fills me with so much joy. Then after some weeks of thinking, I decided I was ready to become a Boss! To own something that was completely mine, to be in control of all the money coming in and to not have someone dictate my paycheck. Most importantly, to give the world art in hopes that individuals from different backgrounds can come together and escape whatever it is they are going through and connect with one another and bring them joy. Once I jumped and started the business with a lot of support and networking and endless hours of Youtube University, I have connected with a lot of talented individuals in the Kansas City Creative community, I have been published, shot a professional athlete, booked at least a month in advanced and have other great things coming in the near future. Photography is just only the beginning…
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wouldn’t necessarily say the road has been smooth; most of the hurdles I’ve had to go through so far have been mental. Building the confidence within myself to believe that my work is great I am my biggest critic always have been but I am usually a very confident person so getting that confidence in something new was a challenge. Taking that confidence with me during newborn, maternity and engagement shoots has been key. Those kind of shoots makes me the most nervous along with weddings just due to how special those situations are and wanting to capture and deliver the moment that the client will absolutely love. The learning curve also was not easy. I made a switch in camera companies and the biggest one being skin retouching and photoshop. I made a big leap in February but I am nowhere close to where I want to be skill-wise. As I look forward with where I want to take my career, I know a lot of bumps and challenges are coming my way. Finding a mentor figure, continuing to learn the business side so that 90% of my shoots are paid and that I’m also getting paid what I am worth, connecting with magazines and modeling agencies, and brands to do shoots for them, getting clients outside of Kansas City, learning video, podcast and clothing have and will continue to be challenged in the future as my business grows. With determination and hard work and belief, I know I’ll overcome those challenges ahead.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an artist that loves to create, inspire, entertain and express. My passion is creating art and stories for everyone to enjoy as well as give a platform for others to express and tell their stories. I specialize in Editorial, Portrait, Fashion and Art photography although that does not limit my talents, I have shot engagements, newborn, senior photos and maternity shoots. I love uplifting and making others feel amazing about themselves. I try to preach self-love in as many ways as possible so seeing client’s faces bright up when they see themselves fills my heart. I love to connect individuals especially individuals who normally would not hang out in the same circle but can relate with one another while looking at one of my collections.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
That the actual name of my brand is Five “times” Media. “Five” represents myself. I played College ball and my number was five and my teammates started calling me “Five” and still to this day even before I created the business and decided to go by that full-time called me “Five”. So the brand is really a math equation Five(me) X(times) Media(my art) = the fire that I produce.
Pricing:
- 1 hour = 150
- 2 hours = 250
- LinkedIn Headshots = $75 (30 mins)
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.fivexmedia.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fivexmedia/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FiveXMediaLLC
Image Credits:
