Today we’d like to introduce you to Stefan “STEFDON” Douglas.
Hi Stefan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Florida – Graphics Design/Photography/Djing my journey all started out of pure frustration. Simply, from wanting to turn one of my self-portraits into a cartoon.
So one day in the summer of 2018, I decided to finally put myself to the test. By opening Photoshop, then YouTube, and searched something along the lines of “How to turn a photo into a cartoon” and clicked the first result. Watch and pause, for a couple of minutes between Photoshop and YouTube – then the rest was history.
With my disciplined mindset of being original, I decided to take it upon myself to complete the rest of my self-portrait solo. After the completion of my first self-portrait, it was posted on my personal Instagram and it received motivating feedback. Knowing myself, I decided to do three free self-portraits for three friends/people I perceived as having a great following. This worked in reference to the free portraits for those three friends/people, but I believe I only got one paid client from this mini-campaign.
Then I moved on from self-portrait, started logos and more, and that is where I started making some money. At this time I was completing my undergraduate degree in recreation and sports management at Florida International University in Miami, FL.
In my dorm room or on-campus, I made logos, flyers, business cards, promo videos, shirt designs, and djied. These projects looking back were rewarding with ups and downs. I made logos, shirt designs, business cards, flyers, and djied for my fraternity (Phi Delta Theta). Then, flyers and designs for a student-owned company called Miami Nightlife Entertainment (MNLE). Also, was motivated enough to become the creative director for a student organization called the American Marketing Association (AMA).
Aside from these ventures, in the spring of 2020, during COVID, I returned home – West Palm Beach, FL. And decided DJing wasn’t serving me anymore. So I sold all my DJ equipment on OfferUp and invested in my first camera (Sony a6100) via Amazon. Being the person I am, I went out and took pictures without any direction in auto. Both in my free time and when I used to do DoorDash, Uber, and Instacart. Then I returned to campus, in the fall, and offered my services to my big in my fraternity and another student on-campus. Which produced a few promotional videos for homecoming and graduation photos.
South Carolina – Photography/Videography
Present day, I reside in Hopkins, South Carolina. Since being here for almost nine months, I have pushed myself to network in my day job at Best Buy. Which has done wonders for me because it has allowed me to be challenged by my new network. This new network has challenged me to invest in better equipment and knowledge in reference to my photography/videography journey.
Now, I can proudly say that I have completed four-music videos for three local artists and several photoshoots. All just from opening my mouth and not being scared to market myself in my day job at Best Buy. Although, I would love for my day job to be a part of a creative team in a social media agency. Truly, it will be a reality one day because I am thankful for my skills and moving at 100 mph – not slowing down. And guided by a quote from the late Nipsey Hussle “Opportunity, preparation, they meet, it’s nice.”
I don’t know where I will reside next between South Carolina and Florida, but I know I will not be slowing down.
Alright, 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?
I would say my struggles are the “unknown”. In other words, since I am self-taught – with the help of YouTube, I do not know all the formal techniques to get projects done. And when I finally find a video via YouTube, it’s like an overbearing amount of knowledge. So I tend to want to give up, try to avoid, or be scared of projects.
Even worse, my current pc setup, which used to seem like a beast for a lot of my beginning projects. Is now taking hours to render or export premiere pro/after-effect projects. Causing weeks of turnaround time for projects, mixed in with my other struggles and shortcomings.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Currently, I am a freelance creative (Graphic Designer, Photographer, and Videographer). I would like to say I am striving to be a jack-of-creative trades. Therefore, I am offering more than one service. This is usually done by a separate person in a creative agency. While doing this I always try to also strive to be original in my ideas with my clients.
I would say that I am most proud of my ability to be my biggest fan and support system, which is making sure I don’t get in the way of myself by quitting.
Graphic Design – STEFDON CREATES.
Photography & Videography – TINGS – Photo & Video.
What were you like growing up?
I was born to two Jamaican parents, so culture and music were the biggest things I grew up around.
Growing up, I spent most of my time around mp3 players, computers, CDs, and home entertainment systems at home, as opposed to outside playing within the neighborhood. So I believe my personality and interests started to develop into wanting to create and innovate.
Pricing:
- Logos – (Starting at $200)
- Photoshoot – $100 (Shoot & Editing)
- Videography – $300 (Shoot & Editing)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stefdon_ting/
Image Credits
D’andre Dunkley, @rashadmann, Liz A’Beth Patterson (@Lizthesingerr), @ricardotheflamer, Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
