Tell us about your background and your inspiration.
"I have a really diverse portfolio from local product photography to national campaign commercial photography, but my love is landscape, travel and water photography.
I started taking photos and processing 35mm film in the later 90's back in high school. One of my first jobs was at an "Eckerds" store where they had the latest available 1 hour film development. I look back now and realize how fundamental this was in my love for photography. Immediately after high school I bought a new Nikon n65, a wide angle lens, and hit the road, traveling the US Mexico and Costa Rica with a few friends and of course my camera in hand! I really never set a camera down since then."
At the time I was really hesitant about starting photography as a business just because it was always personal to me and I didn't want criticism.
"In 2006 my wife and I found out we were having identical twin boys. This was taking place right after we just bought a new home in a collapsing economy. Then I started Modus Photography as a hopeful additional income source. As a second job I would deliver pizza and slap flyers on all the pizza boxes that were being delivered in hopes of getting phone calls. At the time I was really hesitant about starting photography as a business just because it was always personal to me and I didn't want criticism. I soon realized growing my business as a photographer allowed me to be more creative and continue to be challenged by shooting all the time no matter what I could. I always felt whatever I could learn would only help me understand the language of photography even more."
I slowly grew my art and print portfolio while I was still working my primary occupation until I was able to make the scary and exciting leap and go full time photographer and hosting my gallery owner...
"With encouragement from the local cultural arts alliance in 2009, I entered my first juried art show and took home an executive award! I slowly grew my art and print portfolio while I was still working my primary occupation until I was able to make the scary and exciting leap and go full time as a photographer and gallery studio owner. I have not looked back and have solely hosted my work since 2014. I have just been announced as '2021 South Walton's Artist of the Year'."
Which Bay Photo products do you offer?
"I mainly offer the MetalPrints (both framed and free floating) as well as the Deckled Edge Fine Art Prints (on Moab Entrada Bright Rag paper) as framed artwork. We have tried a lot different mediums and have found that these are the right products not only for my style of shooting, but also for my clients, as I know they will have received the best."
How do you display and sell your work?
"I'm very fortunate to have a brick and mortar lifestyle gallery where I exclusively host my photography. The gallery is located in a small beach community in Grayton Beach, Florida."
How has the pandemic shifted your business?
"The pandemic really pushed me to research and find the right online store presence so I could also offer my products virtually. This has been a very difficult thing to achieve and we have built many sites that have failed. I have just recently joined the team at ArtStorefronts.com and I am so excited about being able to have clients have the same experience and products online as they do in the lifestyle photography gallery."
What's next for your business?
"I am really excited about the next phase in my business and career! There are really three areas of focus for me:
1) Introduce Fine Art Photography
I have just entered into the world of medium format and bought a PhaseOne xfiq4 150 and plan on introducing fine art photography to the area. We have built out the upstairs portion of the gallery that is dedicated to limited edition fine art photography.
2) Teach Workshops
Over the past few years I have found that I love teaching photo workshops and I am developing this on a local level domestic and international. I have hopes of launching this by summer 2021. I recently have built out a sprinter van to accommodate a full day out on location.
3) Travel
I love to travel and plan on continuing developing workshops in locations around select spots around the globe."
Any advice for fellow photographers during this time?
"Shoot when the weather is horrible or shoot a concept that you are not familiar with, and make sure you are uncomfortable. Push yourself and your camera gear. As photographers we live in a world of fleeting moments that are always changing and we have to at least attempt to get the shot. If you don't get the shot at least you have experienced the moment."
"It is never too late to be who you might have been." - George Elliot
Special Thanks to Chandler Williams
The Modus Gallery has received the award of excellence with tripadvisor for 4 years in a row. Chandler is excited that The Modus Gallery has recently been designated as a "Trusted Art Seller" with The Art Storefronts Organization, which means buyers can shop with confidence, and know that the organization stands behind the quality and value of their products, fulfilled by Bay Photo.
This is a great little article and very encouraging. Nice to hear a success story of persistence and talent joined together.