Today we’d like to introduce you to Connor Roberson.
Hi Connor, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey in photography started out like the plot of a cheesy Hallmark movie, with a happy accident, an impulse purchase, and a lot of encouragement from friends and family.
Back in early 2020, I had picked up a new part-time job as a dockhand with a little local business by the name of Casual Crabbing with Tia. This job would eventually become a full-time endeavor unbeknownst to me at the time, but it offered me a really interesting opportunity, to be around two of my favorite things at the same time. One would be the outdoors, the other would-be people smiling, laughing, learning, and just having a great time in general.
Now rarely do you have both of those things in the same place at the same time. There’s not a whole lot of places in the world left where you can experience the best nature has to offer while cultivating a truly genuine smile or laugh. I had been taking photos on my phone like everyone else for most of my adult life but I was never satisfied with the way they turned out, as I didn’t feel they reflected the way I saw the world.
So, I set out on a journey to show as many people as I could how the world looked through my eyes and hopefully convey some of the awe and happiness that I was able to experience being in those places and around those people. Naturally, I did the dumbest thing possible. I went out and bought a camera I couldn’t afford and a license for some editing software I had no idea how to use.
Mind you, I hadn’t even held a proper camera before. I went in totally blind with no idea how or what I was doing. But I decided to go all the way.
After 2 years, 1 Instagram page, untold hours scouring YouTube tutorials, and a lot of cussing, here I am.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been an up-and-down journey for sure. One of the hardest things I found was trying to figure out if the work or the photos I was taking/doing were even any good. I mean sure, I thought they looked alright, but who was I to say? I just picked up a camera off the shelf at Best Buy remember? Photography, like any form of art, is largely subjective and I had no clue if the way I saw things was appealing to anyone else but myself.
Aside from that, one of the hardest things I found was getting good, honest feedback, then taking that and trying to figure out how to improve.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
So here at Silver Fox Snapshots, I specialize in mainly candid photography during events, as well as promoting local businesses. On a personal note, I really love wildlife and landscape/travel photography and I’d like to wrap that into the business in the future as well.
I’ve been pushing to focus mainly on breweries, distilleries, and food trucks/pop-ups. I’ll honestly do any type of work people want done. I love learning new skills and growing my trade, I’ve been recently getting into more videography, drone coverage for events, and advertising which has been really fun but really challenging as well.
I can think of two things I’ve accomplished in my short journey so far that I’m really proud of. The first was having my first photo published in Charleston magazine for the March of Dimes Signature Chef Auction. The second would be a partnership I’ve recently set up with Charleston Distilling Co. working on their events and product photography.
As far as what sets me apart from others? I’d have to say it would be my personality and my drive. I didn’t attend any schools or workshops to acquire my skill set. I taught myself everything I know and I think that offers a really unique point of view. When you’re taking classes, you only learn the right way to do things. When you teach yourself, you’re going to make mistakes, and you have to learn from them. I think that process gives you a perspective and understanding that you sometimes just don’t get in a classroom, and it has helped me get a better fundamental understanding of why and how I need to do things to get the results I want.
What matters most to you? Why?
I’m not sure exactly. I’m flying by the seat of my pants here!
I suppose it’d have to be something like proving to myself that I can do this, and being a good role model for my daughter.
I feel like, if I can succeed at this, then anyone can do it. I’d love to be able to sit down with my daughter one day and tell her the story of how her goofy dad went out on a limb, followed his dream, and made something out of it with nothing but the somewhat empty space between his ears.
Contact Info:
- Email: silverfoxsnapshots@gmail.com
- Website: www.silverfoxsnapshots.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silverfoxsnapshots/
