[cellphone ringing] TASH: Huh...
TASH: Hello?
MARIA: Hi Ike and Tash, it's Maria from B&H! TASH: Hey, how are you?
MARIA: Good, how are you? I heard you guys were gonna shoot a little bit today and prep around,
so I wanted to ask you 21 Questions!
Cool! Yeah, we're actually packing up our stuff right now.
MARIA: Awesome, great! So, can I jump right in?
Yes, let me just eat this one Dorito! [Maria laughs]
TASH: [laughs] Ok, I'm ready!
MARIA: Awesome. So, what exactly are you guys shooting today?
Um, well I'm working on some different influencer campaigns.
So, Ike is going to take some pictures of me for my blog.
And for the influencer stuff I've got going on. MARIA: Awesome
MARIA: And, so have you been keeping busy during this quarantine? Has this affected your workflow at all?
Um, I don't think it's affected our workflow.
I think initially, we thought it would--
and we definitely slowed down like everybody else--
but we are picking up.
And so, it's been really nice to kind of see how people have adjusted
and kind of switch their plans around and that we are able to still be included in them!
MARIA: Right. And I know you both work together, but you're also married, right?
So, who does what, and how does this work?
Oh, man. Um, yes. We do work together, and we are married.
Ike does weddings and engagements, and I do families and seniors.
But the truth is, is that we kind of do all of it together.
Um...
I have a little more flexibility though in deciding what I'm gonna do and what I don't,
just because we have small kids, and I'm, you know, momma.
So he leads all of our weddings and engagements,
and then I lead all of the family and senior sessions.
And then I handle all of the emails, and the marketing, and the social media and stuff like that.
So, that's kind of how we kind of divide up our responsibilities.
MARIA: That's awesome. And do you enjoy working together ALL of the time? You can be honest!
[Tash laughs] All of the time? Um...
If I'm gonna work with someone all of the time, I'm glad it's him.
Um, because it's nice to know that
our resources and our money and our time are not being split and divided.
And it also is really cool that I'm working with someone who understands
why this is important and why it matters to me.
And, um, we share kind of the same...
You know, we share the same goals and the same aspirations, and we find the same things fun.
I have a lot of friends who are photographers, and their husbands don't get it at all.
And so, I feel really thankful that mine does.
And that he's a part of helping to make sure that I can be the best that I can be.
Um, so yeah, I do like working with him. It's fun,
and we get a lot done and...
I love the back and forth and the flow of just like
our camaraderie when we go out together and do the work
MARIA: That's amazing! And so, what got you both started in photography and videography?
Um, so I, um...
I lost a family member about 11 years ago,
and had gotten really depressed.
And I picked up the camera to kind of distract myself.
And kind of found that I had some talent there.
And Ike was always there with me, like holding the reflector and stuff.
And so, as I was learning, he decided to pick up and learn too.
And he found his love for video.
And so, we just kind of experimenting,
and at one point, like, our passion got in the way of our real-time jobs.
And we were like, "What would happen if we just took a leap and saw what would happen?"
And so, here we are.
And that kind of how it got started.
And as we have, like, grown--as business owners and as individuals--
like, we've been able to find what we're good at both together and separately. And that's been really cool too.
MARIA: And so, what drew you to portraiture? Aside from all the other styles?
Yeah, no! That's a great question. Um...
I grew up in foster care and always longed for a family and family pictures.
I was always drawn to family images, and just like what the story would be behind the picture.
And so, when we started shooting, that's where I was naturally drawn
was just to be able to tell people's stories as a family.
Before I was a photographer, I was in youth development for 10 years--well, 15 years.
And so, I really missed working with young people and got super excited about this idea of senior portraits.
And Ike and I came into the photography industry
when the senior industry was really at the beginning and taking off.
And so, it was really fun to kind of be in it when it was forming.
So kind of that's how we started with portraits, and then, um...
We started shooting weddings, and Ike discovered he really loved weddings.
And so, we added that to our lineup as well.
And, um... Over time I realized that really wasn't my thing.
And so that's where we kind of decided that we were gonna spilt
and focus on the things that we love.
Not split in terms of do things separately, but take the lead in those individual areas.
That made sense for us. MARIA: That's great!
And, what's each of your go-to cameras?
I shoot with the D750.
I really loved the D700 and was really sad to part with it.
So, when we found the D750, I felt it was the closest thing to that body.
And Ike shoots with the Z6.
So, those are our two workhorses.
MARIA: And, you have a great family! How do you manage work and home life, since you work together?
Wait, is that a thing? People manage that? [both laugh]
Um, you know, um...
Our girls, especially our oldest, has always been a part of it.
It's like... It's just a part of our world.
And so I don't feel like we really struggle with managing it
because it's become more of a family business.
But I think what we have done is we created some boundaries for ourselves:
days that we don't shoot, times when we don't get on email.
You know, making sure that we have time in our schedule where we're taking our kids away
and spending time with them and we're together as a family.
So we really have over the years grown to develop some boundaries
to make sure that there is somewhat of balance.
But, I think the lines get really blurry when you live together, work together, raise kids together.
So... you know?
MARIA: And education is a big part of what you guys do as well.
So, since you're so busy, why take the time to educate others?
Oh gosh! Well...
That's a really great questions. We are really busy, but...
I think that there--for a long time--
there was a gap in the education in the industry.
And you couldn't find a lot of really strong Black educators.
And we can make an excuse that we're too busy to do that, but...
A lot what learned, we learned from other people,
or we learned from seeking out people to teach us.
And so we have grown so much, and we have made so many mistakes.
And we don't wanna see other people do that. And so, um...
I think education is important to us
because we wanna make sure that other voices that are like ours have an opportunity to live their dream,
to see their business be successful and to avoid a lot of the mistakes that we made.
Um, yeah. I think that's really why we do it.
It's just really important to us that other people get to build a life that they love, of freedom, of prosperity.
And so, um... That's the goal
MARIA: That's great. That's amazing.
And, social media has become a big business tool these days. How as it helped you?
Oh man. Social media is really fun, I think, because
it allows people to get to know Ike and I as the photographers, as a couple, as a family.
But it also allows us to have our own separate voices.
And so, we use social media to share about our lives and to really connect with our clients
and to let them see us outside of the camera.
But we also use social media as a means to introduct the world to, like, who we are are individual people.
Like, I'm a photographer, but I'm, like, so many other things.
And Ike is also a photographer, but he is also, you know,
drawn to so many other things and inspired by other things.
And, um... you don't always get to share that maybe on a website
or when you're sitting on a stage talking to people.
So I think that social media gives us a change to really give people the behind the scenes of who we are.
And to make them feel like they're connected to us
and that they're sharing and doing life with us on a more regular basis.
You know? MARIA: Sure!
MARIA: And so, you've mentioned so many different things that you do.
What's your favorite part of your work?
Oh man! I think my favorite--my personal favorite part of my work--
I know Ike's is gonna be a different response--
is the people. I love connecting with people.
I love community building.
I love, like, exhorting and encouraging people towards their dreams.
And I feel like photography gives me a way to do that on every level.
Whether it's working with a client and helping them to see themselves in a more confident way.
Or whether it's recording pictures for a family
and sharing their story in a way maybe they've never seen it before.
Or whether it's teaching other photographers, or mentoring other photographers.
Like there's so much pouring out that gets to happen.
And that fills me up so much, so...
MARIA: Awesome
And so, let's switch gears up a little bit.
What are some tips for wedding photographers dealing with postponed weddings due to COVID?
Well, we're gonna head out.
So, maybe we can finish this conversation on the road.
Does that work for you?
MARIA: Yeah! I wanna hear what Ike has to say.
Awesome!
[cars passing by in the distance]
[camera snapping] IKE: Perfect, perfect!
Oh hey! Ike here.
What's up? MARIA: Awesome!
So I guess we can go right back into the tips question.
IKE: Yes! MARIA: So, what are some tips for wedding photographers
dealing with postponed weddings during this COVID time?
Well, I would say some good tips are,
during this slow time, if you have any personal projects that you've been wanting to work on,
now is a good time to use free time to work on some personal projects.
Just to, like, expand the art form and maybe do some other creative things
that you actually might be able to incorporate later on when you start taking weddings again.
So, personal projects. Also...
You want to use this time to, you know, make sure your stuff is ready on your front end or your back end.
So, maybe doing some SEO, make sure your website's together, upgrade your portfolio.
So that, when things pick back up, if people find your website, like, they're ready to book you.
And they like what you have. Your stuff is up-to-date.
And, another tip would be go out there and get it.
So like, maybe do some Facebook marketing.
You know, maybe just try to see what to do to get customers.
And also, a bonus tip,
while we're on the phone with you guys at B&H, [Maria laughs]
I know you guys have a lot of courses on B&H Event Space
and you guys do a lot of education things. MARIA: Yeah!
So, if you're looking for tips to get better at this craft,
you know, B&H has a lot of, uh...
let's say courses or online things or...
Tools to help you make yourself better.
So... MARIA: Perfect!
Besides spending money! [both laugh]
MARIA: And Tash mentioned that your answer to your favorite part of work would be a little different from hers.
So, what's your favorite part of your work?
My favorite part? I like the shooting part.
Like, I like going out. Shooting and creating awesome pictures.
I say it in my head--I never said this out loud, but--I just like to create awesome photos.
So any time I get to create something new and awesome,
that's just my favorite part, is just shooting.
You know, being out in the mix, being creative, being technical, figuring out problems.
I just, I love it.
MARIA: Tash mentioned time management can be a little crazy,
especially with the two of you working together.
So, what did you guys do for breakfast this morning?
What? Breakfast who? [Maria laughs]
Who eats breakfast? What entrepreneur eats breakfast?
What do you mean "breakfast"?
No, I had coffee. I had the breakfast of champions.
Which is a cup of coffee [both laugh]
Now my kids ate breakfast. They ate.
My daughter had oatmeal. My other daughter, she had a bagel.
But me? I had coffee. Okay...
[both laugh]
Now brunch? That's a whole 'nother situation! You can talk about brunch.
[laughing continues]
MARIA: And, so would you rather
have one battery or one 32GB memory card at a wedding?
Hm, one battery or one 32GB...?
[inhales sharply] [groans]
A 32GB memory card, okay? [Maria laughs]
And here's why:
'Cause I've made it happen when shooting lower--
A lot of these cameras have lower megapixel options
And so, I remember one time, I got low on space.
I got to the reception.
And I switched to the lower file size. I think it was like 10, 12 megapixels.
'Cause they're still good enough to print.
And I knew in my head that, like, the reception photos weren't gonna be printed bigger.
Most of the time, they print the portraits.
So I figure, I was gonna finesse a 32GB memory card,
I would save the big space, the full size, for the portraits,
and then save--switch the a smaller file size for receptions and a lot of candid stuff.
So that's how I would work that out.
But a battery, yeah...
MARIA: That's a really good tip!
I know from experience! I'm like, "Oh! You know what?"
[chuckles] "Low megapixel."
Canon has medium raw, something like. Like, perfect.
[laughs]
MARIA: And you guys have traveled to a bunch of different locations for your shoots.
IKE: Mhmm What has been your favorite?
Um, you know. I'd say one of my favorite places was Greece.
Greece and Thailand, I think, tie.
'Cause, in Santorini, like, we did some shooting there.
And that place is wonderful.
And then I really loved Thailand.
Phuket for example. Phuket to be specific.
Phuket, I loved it there.
I loved the tropical. I loved the greenery. I love the texture, like.
And it was nice weather. The sunsets were beautiful.
So, yeah. Phuket!
And, if you weren't photographers, what would you be?
If I wasn't a photographer,
I'd probably be some kind of day trader or some kind of--
I'd be some kind of Wall Street guy. MARIA: Really?
[Ike laughs] Yeah, before we started doing photography,
I was actually learning, like, day trading on the side, like stocks and stuff like that.
And it's interesting because, in this climate that we're in, and with the market doing what it's doing,
it's a nice chance to get back in and try to recover some of these loses that we've been taking.
MARIA: That's interesting IKE: Yeah.
I'm really into the financial--
Other than that, on the creative side, I'd be a DJ.
[Maria laughs]
'Cause I love music, and so, like, I can see myself being a wedding DJ.
MARIA: Yeah! IKE: Mhm
MARIA: And what's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Best piece of advice you've ever received?...
Um...
Taxes. Hire an accountant.
[inaudible]
Know your money. That was probably the best thing.
And it works across all levels, is knowing your money, like, following the money.
Will help you out in the long run way better than any kind of, like, life tip or anything like that.
If you're in business, so.
MARIA: And, aside from your camera, what's your favorite piece of gear?
Aside from my camera, my favorite piece of gear is my computer.
Does that count?
MARIA: And what got you into videography?
You know, growing up, I've always loved, like--
I always thought I was gonna be, like, the home video guy.
So you know how, like, families have the dad that records everything on video?
That was kind of my thing. Like, before me and Tash met,
I would record, like, self videos. Like, I was vlogging before vlogging was a thing.
Funny thing!
And I actually sent her pictures of vlogs that I made before even YouTube.
Like, 'cause we met online. MARIA: Cool!
And so, in order for her to see what I was like,
I would send her videos of me, like, goofing around with my friends.
Just to get an idea of my personality.
But I was like--
So I sent her videos. And so, I've always been into video, vlogging, documenting life.
So...
MARIA: So, you were into to selfies before selfies were a thing?
I have a photo of mine somewhere of me taking a picture
of one of the first cellphone cameras with a photo.
And I took a selfie against the car window, 'cause then, you couldn't flip it around.
I, hey... I'm an innovator, okay?
I'm a trailblazer. I've been out here before these things been popular.
Okay, so. When they find the bones. When the dig up the bones, and they find the fossils,
I'm gonna have a selfie camera and a video camera in both my hands.
[laughs]
MARIA: And, last question: who should we interview next?
Who should you interview next?
You know, that's a good question. I have so many friends, so many people that, like, I love.
Um...
But I know one person who would be, like, a funny character, would give you an entertaining interview.
Would be a guy named Keydrin Franklin.
He's outta Texas, 924 Photography.
Uh, who else can I think of that would be really good, entertaining?
Joshua Dwain. He's outta New York. He's, like, down the street from you guys.
Joshua Dwain photography.
And... My friend Kirth Bobb
He'd be a great guy. He's outta DC.
MARIA: That's great, awesome!
Perfect, so we'll make sure to get in touch with them.
And thank you so much!
No problem! So, I'm gonna get back to shootin' Tash.
And I guess I'll see you guys later.
MARIA: Awesome, thank you so much!
Alrighty! Alright.
IKE: You ready?
TASH: Yeah!