Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicholas Douglass.
Nicholas, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m currently a senior attending San José State University. I began my journey as a photographer after acing a beginner photography course with Ajay Fay as our professor in 2017. He told me that Photography was definitely up my alley and that I should consider it as a major. I heeded his advice and quickly invested in a studio set up. This was no easy task, as I needed to find a location and appropriate equipment.
A few months past after I realized my college dorm would make the best location. I also acquired soft lights, LEDs, and various stands to accompany my camera. I began shooting studio productions in the spring of 2018. Since then, I’ve taken over 30,000 photos with numerous talented models and friends. I’ve learned so much, and am invigorated to continue shooting this Fall of 2019.
Great, 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?
As a freelance photographer, my biggest challenges have been gaining respect from both my colleagues within photography, as well as models and others looking to collaborate. These challenges come in the form of negotiating rates, booking times, and establishing how the photos will be used after they’ve been relinquished to the client. It’s a common story that often clients will put filters over our work, forget to credit the photographer, and sometimes are unable to fathom the amount of work a studio production costs along with post-production. For the most part, I try to provide the best services, but over the year I’ve become keen on evaluating who is equally invested in our endeavors.
Please tell us about your work.
Since making a name for oneself isn’t easy within a school of 25+ thousand students. I guess I’ve always thought that if I can cultivate the best work by providing 110% effort that eventually it will show and clients won’t help but to flock for their portraits. I developed a corny early slogan that goes “help me to help you achieve your photogenic potential” and since then it’s been a staple of brand.
As for my work, I generally produce headshots and some full-length productions depending on the project. I dabbled in outdoor shoots this summer of 2019, but, it has proven more difficult than the studio. So I remain confident in the studio here (currently) in the apartments. And while it is a “make-shift” studio, it is fully functional.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I was adopted at the age of three from Ukraine. So one of my fondest memories as a child was being introduced to the watermelon. My parents swear I ate almost three in one night. Back in Ukraine, not many people can afford luxurious and exotic fruits such as watermelons (at the time). Course, things have changed.
Pricing:
- Students: 10-12 edits for $50; recommended 1-2 outfits
- non-students: 10-12 edits for $100; recommended 1-2 outfits
- additional edits are to the discretion of the artist, and costs may vary
Contact Info:
- Address: 27 N 6th St, San Jose, CA 95112
- Website: https://www.douglassportraits.com
- Phone: 4085440274
- Email: Nich.Douglass@Gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dougie16_5/
Image Credit:
All work is mine, and I reserve the right to them
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