Today we’d like to introduce you to Arin Phillips.
Arin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As strange as it sounds, I became a photographer because my high school didn’t have a program that would train me to be a stunt double.
I’ll explain because it sounds very strange. From day one as a freshman, my high school was very interested in developing students that were studying what they wanted as a career. So freshman year you decided if you were interested in Math, Science, Literature or Art. Each year your subject got more specific.
In middle school and most of high school, I was convinced I was going to be jumping off buildings in a film one day. When my counselor asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up and I said the words, ” a stunt double” she obviously told me to pick something else. I thought, “well, my parents are artists. Everyone else in my family draws or paints so Art would like second nature. …right?” That freshman year I had Art 101, Drawing 101, Graphic design 101, Photography 101.
The moment I held a camera I knew this was something I’d pursue for a lifetime. And the rest is history as they say.
It wasn’t always Fashion Photography because I was still holding onto an idea of an adventurous career. It went from Stunt double to Ariel Photographer, to Sports Photography. My love for Fashion Photography happened when I went to College at Watkins College of Art, Film & Design.
At that time I realized I could combine my personal joy of dressing up and wearing heels with an artistic storyline all with a camera in hand. And that concept changed my world. I wanted to be a published fashion photographer more than I wanted air in my lungs.
I moved from Nashville, TN to San Diego, CA September of 2018. A short year later I have been published three times and have more in the works. I have had amazing opportunities to work with local designers and modeling agencies. I’m so grateful for the countless opportunities and trust my client’s place in me to deliver their editorials, look books and product photography at a fast pace.
I call San Diego my ‘forever home’ because it’s been so good to me. My career has advanced so far in such a short period of time that it still feels like a dream to me sometimes.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nothing worth fighting for is ever easy.
My story hasn’t been all roses and sunshine but I feel that it’s more beneficial to focus on the goals that I’ve met than the struggles.
One big challenge for me was finding the genre of photography I wanted to focus on. Because it was so different from my childhood career fantasies I spent a lot of time-fighting the desire to pursue Fashion Photography. Once I knew, if I didn’t pursue this with everything I had in me I’d regret it for the rest of my life… everything fell into place.
Tell us more about your work.
I specialize in designing fashion, and lifestyle photography sessions for models developing their professional books. I also specialize in creating editorials for publications using local designer’s piece creating images that showcase their masterpieces. I can do look books for designers as well.
Most of my clients fall into one of two categories. They are models and actors either working towards getting signed with an agent or are already signed that need specific book updates. Or they are in the second categories and are designers looking to have their works showcased in an editorial or that need a look book produced for their new line.
I believe that my creative eye, or voice as some call it, sets me apart from other photographers. I think that makes me successful in creating cohesive themes that work for my client’s. I have had both traditional training and have self-taught myself camera tricks. I learned a lot of traditional photography practices during my time at Watkins College of Art, Film & Design. And have also taken the time to learn how to achieve lighting characteristics with and without fancy studio equipment making me adaptable.
I’m most proud of being able to create teams of creatives that can work together and get their names published.
Each published editorial is a proud moment for me because that’s when I know I’ve done a job that will move so many team members and their goals forward towards the next goal. No one can be successful on their own.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
SO many people deserve so much credit in helping me get to this point in my life.
Ms. Ayers, My high school photography teacher, because she saw potential in me that I didn’t see. She took the time to fuel that potential that turned into a passion to be a photographer.
My mom and dad who bought me my first camera. For showing me the meaning of being an entrepreneur, all its joys that hard work brings. If I hadn’t of watched them running a business during my childhood I would not even know where to begin with my own business.
I’m forever grateful to my second family who have been so supportive of me moving to California to chase this dream and for being so generous with their resources. I truly would not be reaching all these milestones if they were not in my corner.
My whole family has been so supportive while I work towards building this. They have celebrated with me when I reached a goal. More importantly, they have also helped me stay focused.
Pricing:
- Model Development Sessions are $250
- Model/Acting Comp Cards $350
- Collaborations on Editorial shoots are $450
- Half Day Rate $450
- Full Day Rate $900
- Flash Sale -$75 per look (Posted to IG stories Once a month)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.arinpphoto.com
- Phone: 615.892.0585
- Email: hello@arinpphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arinphillipsphoto/
Image Credit:
1st Horizontal image: Me holding Camera taken by Jess Sharp of SD Photo Squad
The other images are either Behind the Scenes pics of me working, tear sheets or images I created.
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