Latest / Port City Profiles / From Counselor to Portrait Photographer w/ Kevin Titus | Ep 4

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From Counselor to Portrait Photographer w/ Kevin Titus | Ep 4 · Port City Profiles

• 0:00
  When I was shooting $100 shoots, you're so involved in trying to stay afloat that it's hard to sit back and reap the afterglow of a good shoot, right?
• 0:07
  Now, because I positioned myself not cheaply, I'm able to put 100% of myself into every session, then sit back and enjoy after we've crushed it together.
• 0:17
  I'd shoot twice a week max, and I'd pour myself into my clients, and once the session's over, we're both like pumped about it, and when they see the final photos, they're like absolutely pumped, and there's no better feeling.
• 0:27
  So Wilmington's full of so many cool businesses doing great work, and most of them never get to tell you how they're helping and more importantly, why they're helping here in the community.
• 0:36
  So I decided I'm going to ask them.
• 0:38
  I'm your host, Rich Cardona, and this is Port City Profiles.
• 0:42
  We got another guest in here today for Port City Profiles, and I have come to know him little by little, but I, how do I say this?
• 0:49
  I'm like fond of him.
• 0:50
  He really reminds me of a mentor of mine.
• 0:53
  His name is Chris Doe.
• 0:54
  There's just kind of a measured kind of tonality.
• 0:57
  He's even.
• 0:59
  And what Kevin does here, you're about to learn in a second, is he takes some wonderful pictures, and that is the dumbest down version I could possibly give you.
• 1:07
  But Kevin, please tell me the name of your, or tell us your name and
• 1:11
  your business and what you would say you provide to Wilmington.
• 1:14
  Okay.
• 1:14
  So thanks for having me.
• 1:16
  First of all, my last, my first name is Kevin.
• 1:18
  My last name is Clytius.
• 1:20
  No one pronounces it right.
• 1:21
  No one spells it right.
• 1:22
  It rhymes with righteous.
• 1:24
  Okay.
• 1:24
  But the reason I go with Titus, which is my middle name is because it's easier to say and spell.
• 1:29
  You would think anyway, it's your Hollywood name.
• 1:30
  Yeah.
• 1:31
  Kevin Titus just sounds cool.
• 1:32
  I thought.
• 1:33
  So Kevin Titus' photo is my business.
• 1:35
  I take portraits for a living, primarily headshots, branding portraits, some fashion editorial stuff.
• 1:42
  That's what I've been doing for the past 12 years.
• 1:44
  What is the difference between like I was a general photographer or a generalist compared to like what you're doing?
• 1:53
  And like, did it start like that?
• 1:54
  Like, this is exactly the lane I want to go into?
• 1:57
  Or was it like, let me just get good with a camera?
• 1:59
  I definitely was trying to get good with the camera first.
• 2:02
  So I was taking pictures of everything.
• 2:04
  I did every genre known to man, weddings, engagements, newborns, couples, families.
• 2:09
  I tried street photography, which in Wilmington is like impossible.
• 2:12
  And I landed on portraits because that was like what I gravitated towards.
• 2:16
  Why?
• 2:17
  I think it's the people because I have a background in counseling.
• 2:20
  Yes.
• 2:20
  And so...
• 2:22
  I was just like, I really enjoy the process of getting to know someone.
• 2:26
  And they get more relaxed the more they talk to me.
• 2:28
  And when their guard is let down,
• 2:31
  I get a photo real quick.
• 2:32
  You know what I mean?
• 2:34
  Like, it's just like when they're relaxed, it makes a huge difference.
• 2:38
  And that was always gratifying for me.
• 2:40
  So I started leaning in more into portraits.
• 2:43
  You studied counseling.
• 2:44
  Yeah, I have a master's in counseling from NC State.
• 2:45
  You're just drawn to people.
• 2:46
  So you just like you just went through like an exploratory phase and you landed back right where you like to be.
• 2:53
  Exactly.
• 2:54
  Yeah.
• 2:54
  Full circle.
• 2:55
  And tell me about your background then in studying that.
• 2:57
  So did you actually counsel people?
• 2:58
  Yes, I did.
• 2:59
  So I graduated from NC State with my master's in 2011.
• 3:03
  Sweet.
• 3:05
  Found a job a few months later in doing psychosocial rehabilitation.
• 3:09
  So I was working with the severe and persistent mental illness population.
• 3:13
  We're talking...
• 3:14
  schizophrenia schizoaffective bipolar major depression I did that for a couple years I was working toward licensure as a therapist and I did some some some therapy as well and right around the two or three year mark I found photography and the reason I found it was because I was trying to find a hobby just to get my mind off of work
• 3:35
  Because work can be heavy, naturally.
• 3:36
  Yes.
• 3:37
  So I found a camera on Amazon.
• 3:39
  And long story short, that side, that little hobby turned into a side hustle, which within two or three years matched my income from my job.
• 3:49
  That's fast.
• 3:50
  Yeah, pretty fast.
• 3:51
  Yeah.
• 3:52
  Did you feel like you were betraying what you studied for?
• 3:56
  You know, kind of.
• 3:58
  No one's ever asked me that.
• 4:00
  I did kind of feel like I was making such a huge pivot.
• 4:06
  And I was like, man, I'm almost letting down the clients I had built relationships with for the past, you know, however many years.
• 4:13
  But I knew that I was going to ultimately let myself down if I didn't pursue this interest of mine.
• 4:17
  Yeah.
• 4:18
  And it didn't take me long, Rich, to realize that working with photography clients, you're putting exactly to use the skills that you build up as a therapist and counselor.
• 4:29
  It's 100% transferable.
• 4:31
  Tell me some of this stuff.
• 4:32
  So tell me how you could compare a counseling session to a session with me who hates taking pictures and hate how I look, which could definitely happen when I enlist in your services.
• 4:43
  But tell me how it compares.
• 4:44
  Well, I mean, I think, first of all, it's a privilege to take photos of people because when they get in front of your camera, all their insecurities surface to the top.
• 4:55
  100%.
• 4:55
  And I feel a responsibility to address them and validate them.
• 5:00
  So I think that's what...
• 5:02
  I find especially gratifying is because when people are in front of the camera, they freeze up.
• 5:06
  Yes.
• 5:07
  They say the negative self-talk starts immediately.
• 5:09
  Yes.
• 5:10
  Can you take off 10 pounds?
• 5:12
  Can you retouch?
• 5:13
  We deserve that.
• 5:14
  Yeah.
• 5:14
  I mean, every time.
• 5:15
  He's all the wide angle and he's like, oh.
• 5:17
  You're like, oh my God.
• 5:17
  Yeah.
• 5:18
  You see yourself and if you're not used to getting good photos, you build up the narrative that you're just not photogenic.
• 5:24
  Yeah.
• 5:25
  You never take a good picture.
• 5:27
  And that's false.
• 5:28
  Like I have never met a client that I'm, I'm like, Oh, impossible to get a good photo of.
• 5:33
  Like I can do it.
• 5:35
  And, uh, but more importantly, I think it's addressing those issues first before we even start taking photos.
• 5:41
  I don't jump into it and just start snapping photos.
• 5:44
  It's about the validating and hearing their concerns.
• 5:48
  What are some of the things for lack of a better term, icebreakers that you do to kind of get them like being present with you and comfortable.
• 5:54
  Well, the first thing I ask is, what are we envisioning for this shoot?
• 5:59
  What do you want out of these photos?
• 6:02
  So everyone has a want, whether they verbalize it or not before they come to the session.
• 6:05
  So if you're an actor, you want to be discovered by casting directors.
• 6:10
  You want a killer headshot.
• 6:12
  Yeah.
• 6:12
  Yeah.
• 6:12
  If you're an entrepreneur or business owner, you want a headshot that's going to show authority or leadership, depending on your position.
• 6:19
  Same thing if you're a corporate executive.
• 6:20
  You want to command respect, right?
• 6:22
  Like this person's the real deal.
• 6:24
  So depending on what they want, I have them verbalize that.
• 6:28
  And then we kind of reverse engineer how we can come to that, how we can arrange the shoot, how they're going to appear, what the wardrobe is going to be like, how we're going to light it, what's the backdrop, what's the pose, what's the expression.
• 6:40
  All that is like a puzzle.
• 6:42
  But you have to know the end goal first.
• 6:44
  And then you actually have to coach them through every step of the way versus just jumping in and taking a photo, which is amazing.
• 6:50
  Never the answer.
• 6:51
  Let me ask you this.
• 6:52
  On the subject of coaching, for example, I very much understand like we're both kind of creative entrepreneurs and I deal with a lot of that stuff as well.
• 7:00
  And there's this line I have where in my head I've made a reel about it where I'm like, you're the boss.
• 7:04
  Yeah, I'm like this thumbnail is trash.
• 7:07
  Like we need to do this or whatever.
• 7:09
  And obviously I don't put it that way, but I'm like, if you want to click through rate, it's kind of like scrolling through Netflix.
• 7:15
  What catches your attention?
• 7:15
  We want to do the same thing on YouTube.
• 7:17
  And I don't think this thumbnail accomplishes it.
• 7:19
  It's like, oh, I got my brand colors.
• 7:20
  I like it and blah, blah, blah.
• 7:21
  And I'm like, okay, my head, I'm like, you're the boss.
• 7:24
  Talk to me about how how you how you do that sensitively to someone who might be
• 7:30
  maybe resistant or reluctant to maybe a suggestions that you make or do you even make suggestions?
• 7:35
  So I don't want to say that I that I've never had a client like push back.
• 7:40
  But I think because I asked the questions beforehand, they it's not often that they go like, that's not going to work.
• 7:48
  So I think the answer to that is really asking them questions.
• 7:51
  And if they have objections prior to, if they already have preconceived notions of what's not going to work, just gently asking why.
• 7:58
  Like, what makes you think that?
• 7:59
  I'm curious.
• 7:59
  Like, tell me more about that.
• 8:00
  This is why you're like Chris.
• 8:01
  Which is the counseling aspect, right?
• 8:04
  And again, it's not manipulative.
• 8:06
  It's more so curiosity because you got to be genuinely interested in what their experience is.
• 8:11
  Yep.
• 8:12
  And why do they feel something is not going to work?
• 8:15
  And then you can kind of explore that.
• 8:18
  And at the end of the day, they are the boss.
• 8:20
  I'm never going to force someone to pose a certain way if they're not going to be comfortable.
• 8:23
  But I think ultimately it's why do you think this is not going to work?
• 8:28
  Yeah.
• 8:28
  So can you paint the picture for me of, you know, kind of like what people are thinking when they initially enlist your services?
• 8:38
  Like, what are some of these goals that they have?
• 8:41
  I know you mentioned like, you know, commanding presence or whatever, but I think there's like another layer to it, which is where your counseling comes in.
• 8:47
  It's like some sort of inner something that they're trying to satisfy.
• 8:51
  Like, what are some of the things that you've discovered that people really want?
• 8:55
  I don't know if a lot of clients come into it thinking that deeply about it.
• 8:59
  I think a lot of times they come to me because they have this surface level objective.
• 9:05
  Like, I need a new headshot.
• 9:07
  It's been 10 years, five years.
• 9:09
  And on the call, when they call and we talk about it, it turns out that they want more than a headshot.
• 9:15
  Of course.
• 9:16
  They want branding.
• 9:19
  If we're exploring deeper...
• 9:21
  They want respect.
• 9:22
  They want a new chapter, right?
• 9:24
  They want a new, a fresh beginning in their career, a career transition.
• 9:28
  But it starts with the headshot.
• 9:30
  But if you listen to that at face value and you say, oh, they just want a headshot, and then you just sell them a headshot, both of you lose out on that.
• 9:37
  Whereas if you ask questions, tell me about like, so what's making you come to me today?
• 9:41
  Like what happened in your career?
• 9:42
  Right?
• 9:43
  And then you explore and you're genuinely interested in their story.
• 9:46
  You find out that this person recently got divorced, got fired from their job, discovered that they're going to embrace a passion.
• 9:54
  Yeah, no, exactly.
• 9:56
  Or they just, they haven't, they're finally given this opportunity to explore something that they otherwise didn't have the courage to do it.
• 10:02
  Yeah.
• 10:03
  Right, because they have golden handcuffs and they're stuck at a job, but now they're fired and they can go and explore something else.
• 10:09
  And so if you don't ask that question,
• 10:13
  You just offer a headshot, which is, that's not necessarily the answer.
• 10:19
  It can be so much more than that.
• 10:20
  But if someone comes to me and they say, look, I just need a headshot.
• 10:23
  Like I get this quite a bit.
• 10:26
  I just want a headshot.
• 10:27
  Like my employer is telling me I got to go and find someone.
• 10:29
  I will turn them down.
• 10:30
  I will say like, we can do that.
• 10:32
  But I don't just do headshots in terms of like...
• 10:37
  A real quick session, you know?
• 10:39
  Or without you energy.
• 10:40
  Yeah.
• 10:40
  Daniel Priestley calls that.
• 10:41
  Yeah.
• 10:42
  Yes, exactly.
• 10:43
  Because I get excited about helping someone
• 10:46
  who is excited and who is looking forward to like having an amazing, amazing image they can put to use.
• 10:52
  Yeah.
• 10:52
  But if someone comes into the session or come like on the phone call, if they're just basically like, I just, and that's the key word, just the disqualifier.
• 11:01
  Notice how it just kind of like trivializes the whole thing.
• 11:04
  I just need this.
• 11:05
  I just need a quick session.
• 11:07
  That's not, that's not who I serve.
• 11:08
  It's really interesting that you say that.
• 11:10
  I had a prospect write me a,
• 11:13
  We've been in conversation for a little while.
• 11:16
  And then like, I feel like each iteration of the email I get is like, what if we took this off?
• 11:19
  What if we took this off?
• 11:21
  And it got to the point where for us as a, you know, media company, we were just going to be a production partner.
• 11:27
  And you and I know that's not what I'm necessarily interested in.
• 11:30
  Production to me is a commodity.
• 11:31
  It's more like what is the end goal?
• 11:33
  Very similar to what you do.
• 11:34
  And at the end of this, I put, which I think you would appreciate because it came from Chris.
• 11:39
  I just put, look, like if you have any concerns or reluctance about the value, then like this might not be the thing.
• 11:45
  I want people to be happy to pay us.
• 11:47
  Right.
• 11:47
  You know what I'm saying?
• 11:48
  Because if we're starting off almost like in the red, like it's hard to work up to black.
• 11:52
  Absolutely.
• 11:53
  I'd rather start in the black.
• 11:54
  And then like I think our chances of exceeding expectations together is probably higher.
• 11:59
  Yeah.
• 11:59
  Yes.
• 12:00
  Would you agree?
• 12:00
  I absolutely agree.
• 12:02
  If someone is already coming into it with objections, almost like they're sabotaging the whole thing from the start, not necessarily intentionally.
• 12:09
  Sure.
• 12:09
  But if they're so budget conscious that you can't really have a good foundation to build on, it's not a good fit.
• 12:16
  And I think that if you...
• 12:18
  As a business owner, if you go into it like, I need to have this client, it's not a good fit either.
• 12:25
  Oh, yeah.
• 12:25
  You can't approach it from a scarcity mindset.
• 12:27
  Oh, for sure.
• 12:28
  So it's on both sides.
• 12:29
  If your budget is so tight that this is going to kill you to get a headshot, I don't want someone going into debt or feeling like they're going to just empty their pockets for me.
• 12:40
  Jay-Z says, if you can't afford it twice, you can't afford it.
• 12:42
  Yeah.
• 12:43
  That's a good one.
• 12:44
  This is actually something you make content about.
• 12:46
  Yeah.
• 12:47
  So we'll come off a little bit of just exactly what you do, but talk about how you try and support other creatives.
• 12:54
  Yeah.
• 12:54
  You are pretty adamant about...
• 12:58
  being valued appropriately yeah uh you charge a premium confidently um you are not interested in like you kind of said like very budget conscious people is there a moment where you're like i have to shift because i'm attracting the wrong people and this is the the hill i'm gonna die on in terms of being a premium photographer you know yeah photographer well i'll say this a few years ago this is back in like pre-covid a couple years before that even i was doing shoots for a hundred dollars a pop not every shoot but i had a client in particular i'm not a person who's
• 13:28
  that was paying me a hundred dollars and it wasn't just a quick shoot.
• 13:30
  It was like a three hour shoot.
• 13:31
  I would have to edit same day or next day.
• 13:34
  And, you know, I, you know, it didn't take long to realize like, Oh dude, what am I doing?
• 13:40
  Right.
• 13:40
  Yeah.
• 13:40
  And I, so I, I say that proudly because I don't ever want to come across like as some unapproachable person,
• 13:48
  you know, guru, like that never ever charge low.
• 13:51
  Like I charge low, like most people who start out and I learned my lesson and I know how transformative it is to charge appropriately and how that affects your lifestyle and the kind of clients that you attract.
• 14:05
  So so, yeah, I'm passionate about talking about that and helping empower other creatives do the same.
• 14:10
  I think when you're making that transition from low to premium, though, like throughout that, you're starting to uncover what is actually really valuable to people.
• 14:20
  And I think that's kind of like the secret sauce.
• 14:22
  or whatever, which is very much why I think you're as successful as you are, because it's much more than just anything.
• 14:29
  So let's get back to some of these sessions.
• 14:32
  I've seen, last time we met, I forget her name, and what's her name, the actress that you have?
• 14:38
  Oh, Christy.
• 14:39
  That came on my feed, and I was like, good lord.
• 14:42
  And I mean this, no disrespect to my beautiful wife or anything like that, but I was just like, this is a stunning picture.
• 14:49
  And I'm like, wow, I just...
• 14:51
  Thank you for lack of a better term.
• 14:52
  Like, I'm sorry, I just usually don't see that kind of stuff around Wilmington or whatever.
• 14:56
  But tell me about post post session.
• 15:02
  What's kind of the process is and then like, what are your clients saying when you're done?
• 15:07
  Yeah.
• 15:08
  Well, after the session, I send my clients a gallery of their final photos, all retouched, and they can download them right from the gallery.
• 15:18
  And then I always get their feedback, too.
• 15:20
  Like, how is everything going?
• 15:22
  Are you happy with everything?
• 15:23
  I ask them where they're going to put it or how they're going to use it.
• 15:27
  Why do you ask that?
• 15:28
  Well, I just want to ask because sometimes, for example, if someone's coming to me for LinkedIn,
• 15:32
  Exactly.
• 15:32
  I knew you were going to say that.
• 15:33
  Yeah.
• 15:33
  So the gallery offers a high resolution and a web optimized.
• 15:38
  And sometimes people will put the high resolution.
• 15:39
  So I quickly learned if you put a high res photo on LinkedIn, either it won't accept it because it's too large or they'll compress it and it looks shitty.
• 15:46
  Yeah.
• 15:46
  So I'm like, if we're going to, yeah, if we're going to take a really good headshot, I want it to look really good.
• 15:51
  And that last step is important.
• 15:52
  So I say, hey, listen.
• 15:54
  If you're going to use it for your email signature or LinkedIn, this is the crop you need.
• 15:58
  Or I'll even say, I'll even just do it for them.
• 16:00
  And just say, download this and upload it, and you'll be good.
• 16:03
  So it just depends on how they're going to use it.
• 16:05
  If it's a model coming to me for a portfolio, I'll have a gallery divided into the genres that they're doing.
• 16:12
  So it could be modeling digitals, commercial lifestyle, fashion, whatever.
• 16:18
  And I'll tell them where they can submit their photos to a modeling agency.
• 16:22
  Um, yeah, all that matters.
• 16:25
  When people have all these photos, do you have return clients?
• 16:29
  Like how often do people, cause like you said, someone might go, it's been 10 years since I had a headshot, um, for you, not like it's an upsell, but it's like, we should stay fresh.
• 16:38
  We should stay fresh.
• 16:39
  Like, what does that look like?
• 16:40
  Or what would you suggest to people who maybe just came off a fresh branding shoot?
• 16:43
  Yeah.
• 16:44
  So I mean, typically, I would say every year to two years if you're doing branding, especially if you're like a small business owner or entrepreneur, because those assets can quickly get stale, depending on how consensual you are in posting.
• 16:59
  Now, if you're coming to me for a corporate headshot and you're an executive, you may not need to come back every two years.
• 17:04
  But I would say, as we get older, we look a little bit different.
• 17:08
  And I think it's a safe bet every few years to update your headshot.
• 17:13
  I know how easy it is to go a long time without that.
• 17:16
  So I don't have a formal process, too, of like reaching out every year to every client.
• 17:21
  But I will go through old work in the past two or three years.
• 17:26
  And I'll be like, oh, I wonder how Shelly's doing.
• 17:28
  I'm going to text her and just like say, hey, this looks amazing.
• 17:31
  How are you?
• 17:32
  Let me know if you want to do another session.
• 17:34
  And they just come back for that.
• 17:36
  Now, you serve Wilmington.
• 17:38
  Do you serve outside of Wilmington as well?
• 17:40
  I do, but in the last few years, not so much.
• 17:43
  Because ever since having kids, I really want to stay home.
• 17:46
  Yeah, yeah.
• 17:47
  So I used to do a lot of work out of state.
• 17:50
  I was on the road a lot in the mid-Atlantic region, like Maryland, Virginia, D.C.
• 17:55
  But now I primarily serve Wilmington.
• 17:57
  Okay.
• 17:57
  Ever photographed anyone famous?
• 18:00
  Just out of curiosity?
• 18:01
  A few people.
• 18:03
  No one huge.
• 18:04
  Kevin Hart.
• 18:06
  Did you hear that?
• 18:08
  Nolan Huge, Kevin Hart.
• 18:09
  Yeah, yeah.
• 18:11
  Only a couple.
• 18:12
  I haven't done a lot of celebrity work.
• 18:14
  Obviously, that shoot with Kevin and Lighthouse Films was amazing.
• 18:18
  Unbelievable.
• 18:19
  Yeah, I got some amazing shots.
• 18:21
  And I have to give a big shout out to Tyler Zubai for bringing me on to that shoot.
• 18:26
  Sweet.
• 18:27
  But yeah, it's been a while since I've done...
• 18:32
  celebrity work because the writer's strike, you know, the SAG strike, all that kind of affected the work.
• 18:38
  Okay, so then coming back to Wilmington, then can you talk to me?
• 18:43
  Well, let me put this two ways.
• 18:45
  Tell me the people that you're currently working with and is there, I would say, a lane that you are drawn to?
• 18:52
  Not like the quality of work is going to be different, but like a type of shoot that you might enjoy more.
• 18:56
  So who are you working with currently?
• 18:58
  And which lane are you like...
• 19:00
  gravitate towards a little bit more yeah so i mean i think business owners who want like an editorial like branding i love that kind of session okay so entrepreneurs who want their own images because there's no corporate policy or guideline you know like i don't mind following the rules if someone's like i need this blazer and tie and this color but it's it's too formulaic i'm a creative so i want to do my own thing yeah um
• 19:27
  So people who appreciate the kind of editorial, elevated aesthetic, if they're an entrepreneur, I think actors too.
• 19:36
  Okay.
• 19:36
  I love theatrical headshots.
• 19:39
  Yeah, exactly.
• 19:40
  Something dramatic and edgy and moody, I absolutely love.
• 19:44
  When you say editorial, like I'm an entrepreneur and I want to work with you and maybe this is what I would wear.
• 19:50
  This does not feel editorial.
• 19:51
  What do you mean by that?
• 19:52
  Yeah, that's a good question because editorial is thrown around a lot.
• 19:55
  Yeah.
• 19:55
  So I think Vogue and like high fashion, I'm like, I don't know.
• 19:58
  So editorial by nature just means something that's like published in a publication.
• 20:02
  Okay.
• 20:03
  So it could be like Wall Street Journal editorial, but that's not necessarily fashion leaning.
• 20:07
  That's just news.
• 20:08
  Right.
• 20:08
  So I think you're right.
• 20:09
  Vogue or GQ.
• 20:11
  Mm-hmm.
• 20:12
  Ultimately, think about something that you would see in a magazine spread, in a story.
• 20:17
  And I think when you say editorial, most people think like fashion, which is what I'm referring to.
• 20:22
  So something that you would see that's kind of a fashion twist.
• 20:25
  I want something that's like fashion forward, but not too like trendy.
• 20:30
  Yeah, elevated.
• 20:31
  Do you shoot at a specific location or can it be on location as well?
• 20:35
  So I have a home studio.
• 20:36
  Okay.
• 20:36
  But I can shoot on location as well.
• 20:39
  Now, I forgot to ask you this, I think, at the very beginning, which is a lot of the basis for everything.
• 20:44
  Like, you're a business owner, you solve problems, I solve problems.
• 20:48
  What...
• 20:49
  are you acutely familiar with that brought you here?
• 20:53
  Like, it seems like it was just curiosity, but I always do believe like you're solving a problem that you're very much familiar with.
• 20:59
  Like, were you not comfortable on camera?
• 21:01
  Do you not like being like...
• 21:03
  You know, that's something that I've discovered that only in the past year or two is because I never forced myself to get in front of the camera.
• 21:10
  And I was like, I should do this just to see what it's like.
• 21:13
  And it's very uncomfortable.
• 21:15
  But like anything, you put in the reps and you become more comfortable.
• 21:20
  I started putting out content in the last year or so.
• 21:22
  Yeah, that's great.
• 21:22
  Thank you.
• 21:23
  And I think it's, again, you keep doing it, you get more comfortable with it, you see results, and it's motivating.
• 21:29
  Mm-hmm.
• 21:30
  So I guess I just kind of put myself in the trenches as well and so I can learn how it feels to be in front of the camera.
• 21:37
  Mm-hmm.
• 21:38
  When this is all done and you have taken an inquiry, taken them to the shoot, you're complete with the shoot and maybe they post their headshot or they tag you on Instagram.
• 21:49
  Tell me like how this is for you at the end, the kind of like fulfillment that you get from it.
• 21:53
  Or like, does that make your day better?
• 21:55
  And you're just like, I'm going to just hang out with my kids.
• 21:57
  This is the best.
• 21:58
  Yeah.
• 21:58
  I mean, I'm going to tie this back to.
• 22:02
  the content that I create for creatives as far as the business content.
• 22:06
  The reason why I love what I do is because I don't, I'm not burning myself out.
• 22:11
  When I was shooting a hundred dollar shoots and $300 shoots, even you're so involved in trying to stay afloat that it's hard to sit back and reap the, the afterglow of a good shoot right now, because I positioned myself not cheaply,
• 22:27
  I'm able to put 100% of myself into every session and then sit back and enjoy after we've crushed it together.
• 22:36
  So that's exactly what I do is I shoot twice a week max.
• 22:40
  And I pour myself into my clients.
• 22:43
  And once the session's over, we're both like pumped about it.
• 22:46
  And when they see the final photos, they're like absolutely pumped.
• 22:49
  And there's no better feeling, especially when you get that good, like five star review on Google.
• 22:52
  It's like, yes, it's like so validating.
• 22:54
  Of course.
• 22:55
  Yeah.
• 22:56
  For people in Wilmington who are desiring to work with you, what would you tell them and where would you tell them to find you?
• 23:02
  Yeah, I would say you can find me on my website, kevintitusphoto.com.
• 23:06
  Also Instagram, my handle is kevintitusphoto.
• 23:09
  And if they're curious at all about the process, I think putting myself in their shoes.
• 23:14
  If someone is anxious or nervous.
• 23:16
  I'm literally that guy right now.
• 23:18
  Okay.
• 23:18
  We can role play if we need to.
• 23:19
  I don't care.
• 23:21
  If someone's anxious or nervous about whatever they're thinking about, whether it's a headshot, branding session, or even if they don't have a certain objective, but they want nice photos.
• 23:31
  Yes.
• 23:31
  I would say the first step is a conversation.
• 23:35
  And I want to encourage people to just explore that because I'm interested in learning what they want.
• 23:42
  And I have no qualms in telling them, oh, here's what you're looking for.
• 23:47
  We're not the best fit, but here's where you can go.
• 23:49
  Let's do this right now.
• 23:50
  Okay.
• 23:50
  Okay.
• 23:51
  Um, because I think it's, it's just going to be a good demonstration, but like, it's actually legitimately relevant.
• 23:57
  I love it.
• 23:57
  I'm in the hot seat.
• 23:58
  So, yeah.
• 23:58
  So, I mean, like for me, like I want absolutely fresh pictures.
• 24:03
  I want to be on the river walk, you know, where it's kind of like dim and the lights hanging on.
• 24:08
  And I just have these like random things that pop in my mind.
• 24:12
  I don't have a goal for those other than like, I have a website and I'm very proud of the website, but I'm consistently just showcasing proof.
• 24:19
  Mm hmm.
• 24:19
  But as I lean into personal branding, and I would argue that some of the stuff you're doing is personal branding because you have a desire to help other creative entrepreneurs on the business side.
• 24:29
  I want to lean into my personal brand, man.
• 24:31
  Like I'm in my mid freaking 40s.
• 24:33
  I'm in sometimes better shape than I was when I was in the Marine Corps, you know, and like I'm tatted up, fresh and whatever.
• 24:40
  And I'm a dad.
• 24:41
  I'm in this different phase.
• 24:42
  I don't know what the goal is.
• 24:43
  Yeah.
• 24:44
  But I do know I want some good looking freaking pictures.
• 24:46
  Okay.
• 24:47
  Yeah.
• 24:47
  That's where I'm at.
• 24:48
  So I would say this, when I hear you describe that, I'm picturing all the different facets of your identity.
• 24:57
  You're a dad, you're an entrepreneur, right?
• 24:59
  You have made Wilmington your home, even though there's opportunities or there have been opportunities to go elsewhere.
• 25:04
  This is the longest we've stayed anywhere.
• 25:05
  Yeah.
• 25:05
  Okay.
• 25:06
  That's amazing.
• 25:06
  So I think imagery that is going to, it's going to work for you and really speak to you is exactly that.
• 25:14
  Think about the scenes that match those facets.
• 25:16
  So like you working out at the gym, not necessarily like fitness photos for a cover of like muscle and fitness, but you, that's part of your identity is staying in shape.
• 25:25
  Right?
• 25:25
  Very much.
• 25:26
  So that would be one part of the shoot.
• 25:28
  The other part would be family.
• 25:29
  I would argue family is first for you.
• 25:31
  Oh my gosh, yes.
• 25:31
  Right?
• 25:32
  So family, and not just like pose.
• 25:33
  I'm glad that you know that.
• 25:34
  Yeah, absolutely.
• 25:35
  It's very clear through your stories.
• 25:37
  And you do a great job of like giving us a peek into your life.
• 25:40
  Appreciate it.
• 25:41
  I think that showing you with your family, not in a posed way, but in a candid way.
• 25:46
  would be another opportunity as part of the shoot, right?
• 25:49
  The other thing would be some kind of backdrop of Wilmington because you've made that your home.
• 25:54
  Yeah.
• 25:55
  Right?
• 25:56
  So if I were to put together a shoot for you, a branding shoot, it would incorporate all those aspects in a way that speaks to you and that's natural to your style too.
• 26:06
  Yeah.
• 26:06
  Because it can't be forced.
• 26:08
  Mm-hmm.
• 26:08
  So I would not say like, hey, we're going to make you GQ and wear this blazer if that's not your style.
• 26:14
  Because the wardrobe matters less than...
• 26:18
  What is authentic to you?
• 26:20
  How would I leverage these differently than I would potentially like I do the short videos on Instagram stories?
• 26:26
  Like, I could tell you like this is, yeah, I'm not exaggerating.
• 26:31
  This is something I want.
• 26:32
  But again, Kevin, I don't know where I'm going to put all these things.
• 26:35
  Like, does it go on my website?
• 26:36
  Is it just on the about me page or does this go wherever I want, whenever I want?
• 26:41
  Great question.
• 26:42
  So I don't want to get too tactical because I know that some people are going to be bored by this.
• 26:47
  But so we know that Reels appeals to audiences, to new audiences on Instagram.
• 26:52
  So if you post a Reel, you're getting new people exposed to you.
• 26:56
  Carousel posts are also doing very well, especially in the last few months.
• 27:01
  So carousel posts are an opportunity for you to tell a story through a series of photos or videos.
• 27:06
  So I would say you can mix in some of these photos that we take.
• 27:09
  into your carousel posts.
• 27:11
  And it doesn't have to be something that you do once.
• 27:14
  Just like video, you can recycle and repost photos.
• 27:18
  So there's an opportunity for you to start a carousel post with you working out of the gym.
• 27:23
  And that could be part of the story.
• 27:25
  Another post a few weeks later could be you with your family and talk about your values as a family man and how it relates to your business.
• 27:32
  So there's there's so many ways that you can kind of put it to use and different.
• 27:37
  I can't think of the word, but like you can vary it up.
• 27:40
  Yeah.
• 27:41
  What would you categorize this type of thing that I'm asking you?
• 27:46
  Like, what kind of shoot is this or what is the objective that I've kind of told you?
• 27:51
  And are there any more questions you would have for me generally?
• 27:53
  Like, let's just assume price is not a factor.
• 27:55
  It's like, yeah, I know you're the best.
• 27:56
  I'm going with you.
• 27:57
  Yeah.
• 27:58
  And any questions you would ask me for more clarity?
• 28:00
  And then what would you categorize this type of shoot as?
• 28:03
  I think that I would ask you if you have any reference photos, because a lot of times people will come to me with a vision, and something put that vision there, right?
• 28:10
  Oh, very good.
• 28:11
  So I would say, what are some of the people that you've seen?
• 28:13
  What are some photos that you've seen that really inspire you to get a photo shoot done?
• 28:17
  And I'll tell you a funny story.
• 28:18
  The first time I got a photo shoot done myself was in 2011, and it was because I went through a breakup.
• 28:24
  And...
• 28:25
  And right after that breakup, my ex-girlfriend at the time had some photos done and they looked phenomenal.
• 28:30
  I'm like, oh, my God, I got to do the same thing.
• 28:33
  Clap back.
• 28:33
  Yeah, I got to clap back.
• 28:34
  So I got some photos to end.
• 28:36
  They're OK.
• 28:36
  But it made me feel amazing to be like important, you know, in front of the camera.
• 28:42
  And so there was a reason why I had a photo shoot done.
• 28:46
  So there always needs to be a reason.
• 28:48
  Yes.
• 28:48
  And then anything you want to put out there to any aspiring photographers, you know, who might catch this.
• 28:53
  I know how important that is to you to kind of like rise, you know, like help everyone elevate to an extent.
• 28:59
  What would you tell them?
• 29:00
  I would say invest in yourself.
• 29:03
  And it doesn't have to be investing a fortune, but dedicate some portion of the money that you make if you're doing it for money into learning about the craft, learning about the business side.
• 29:14
  And don't ignore the business side because that is the biggest lever that you can pull to grow as a creative professional.
• 29:22
  My Instagram content, I'd like to think, has a lot of value.
• 29:26
  So you don't have to even spend money to get value and invest yourself.
• 29:30
  But business coaching, courses, any kind of guide or tutorial that you can find that speaks to you.
• 29:36
  What's been the biggest lever for you out of these?
• 29:39
  You know, I want to say it was investing in workshops.
• 29:44
  I did a meetup.
• 29:44
  Like, like prac app?
• 29:45
  Like, like you're like doing things at the workshop or just learning?
• 29:49
  Learning.
• 29:49
  Okay.
• 29:50
  Learning.
• 29:50
  Yeah.
• 29:50
  I don't know if I've ever done a workshop where I'm learning the technical aspects.
• 29:53
  Yeah.
• 29:54
  But the business side, when I, when I went to an event slash workshop in 2018 in Puerto Rico,
• 30:01
  And that opened my eye.
• 30:02
  It changed everything for me.
• 30:04
  I went from, I just take photos of like seniors and whatever, like family portraits to, oh, there's a thing called commercial photography where people shoot for brands and companies and they charge for licensing and they're doing day rates and creative fees.
• 30:19
  And you just learn all these things.
• 30:22
  And that just raised the bar for me to figure out like, oh, I can do this for a living and not have to do it $300 at a time.
• 30:27
  Yeah.
• 30:28
  So investing in yourself is huge.
• 30:30
  All right.
• 30:30
  Well, you guys know where to find Kevin.
• 30:32
  Dude, thank you so much for coming on Port City Profiles.
• 30:34
  I appreciate you.
• 30:34
  And we'll find you online.