Mr. Wright Interviewed About Being a Teacher and a Photographer!!!

Interviewed by aspiring photographer and student Stephanie Embrey

1. Why did you want to become a photographer?

I have always enjoyed and loved the art of photography. As a kid I remember getting a Kodak 110 camera and shooting pictures of my little world. I never had the talents to draw or paint as an artist but I have an appreciation for the arts. I feel that photography is my way of expression through art.

This love for photography led to a work-study job at Averett University to pay for college. I became the Sports Media Photographer for the Athletic Department at Averett. I worked and contributed to the development of the sports media guide and the athletic department website.

This love for photography and the need for extra monies have now turned into a business. The Wright Photography was created in 2006 by my wife Kerri and I. My wife and I had always flirted with the idea of turning our hobby of photography into a business. That dream became reality last year. It has taken some time to generate a profit but business is starting to take off. We have invested in a professional website that will launch in late July or early August.

The simple answer to the question is to share and practice my love of photography, to capture the memories of others, a challenge in the small business world, to realize a dream coming true, and of course the supplemental monies are exciting as well.

2. What is your favorite kind of picture to take?

My personal favorite picture to take is anything in black and white. I believe that black and white can tell a story just as well as color. Black and White pictures can be classy and timeless.

At the same time capturing pictures of people in their elements is always interesting because each event tells a story from the exposition to the finale whether it is a wedding, beauty pageant, commercial, or portraits.

3. How do you process your film?

My wife Kerri is mastering the art of the digital darkroom with Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0. After she cleans up the photos and has enhanced them to full potential we send the final copies to a digital print service known as Shutterfly.

I do have some experience and know the basics of darkroom photography but, with the popularity and advancing technology in digital photography it is not a focus of our company. Although, one day we would like incorporate a darkroom into our studio.

4. Would you ever consider having interns? Why or why not?

Being a teacher and self-taught photographer, of course, I would definitely consider having interns. I would love to teach my love and talents of photography. Having interns would be an outstanding way of expanding our business. If the intern(s) are talented and work well with the company they may be hired on.

5. Tell me what you are leaning towards most, teaching or photography? Why?

Teaching is my first love. I enjoy working with students and my colleagues in the Social Studies Department to help students find success. I like the feeling of having the opportunity to teach and influence our future. I do not see myself doing anything else full-time other than teaching. Teaching has been my dream job since I was in middle school.

With that said; we are hoping that the photography business takes off so financially we can live a little more comfortably. The photography business for me is a full-time job as well, especially being in the beginning stages of development and expansion. Not too mention we have three beautiful children (Keagan 4, Aislinn 2, and Caelan 8 months.) When I am not focused on school I am focused on growing the photography business so that it may be successful.

To simply answer your question, I will not be retiring from teaching anytime soon!

6. How do you balance teaching and being a photographer?

That is interesting that you ask the question using the word balance. Balance is the theme of our new website. My wife (Kerri) came up with the idea of balance in the form of Yin and Yang (you cannot have one without the other.) Balance is how I would describe our relationship, life, and business. Kerri and I always talk about balance in our lives which sometimes balance is lacking with both of us having professional careers on top of the photography business. It will be interesting to see how that theme of balance plays out online with the website. However, most of our business takes place on the weekend with a few scattered events during the week. Sometimes, one of us will take the event while the other takes the kids. It is a give and take, a balance if you will.

7. What are the best things about the photography business?

I believe the best thing about the photography business is the process of getting to know the client (customer service), learning about their desires for their special event/memories, the event itself is exciting because each event is a little different with different elements), so you never know what to expect, and the finished product (seeing the clients approval, excitement, and satisfaction.)

8. What is your favorite part of being a photographer?

I would say my favorite part of being a photographer is being able to work with my business partner and wife Kerri. We both share a passion for photography which allows us to be able to spend time together and work together as a team.

9. How does photography make an impact on your income?

The photography business does have a positive impact on our income. The extra money from the business allows us to have extra money to invest back into our business, to live, and be able to save for our family’s future. Not to get too much into how life has been in the past but it is nice to not be so strapped for cash and to be able to do more stuff as a family.

10. Where do you take most of your pictures?

Most of the pictures that our company takes at this point involve weddings, pageants, and portraits. We are currently working on an in home studio so therefore we usually take pictures on site of the event.

Stephanie,

Thank you so much for asking me to do this interview. It was an outstanding interview and I wish you the best of luck in your aspirations in becoming a photographer.

- Chad Wright

Petza Family Photo Shoot in Myrtle Beach