Today we’d like to introduce you to Tarick Foteh.
Hi Tarick, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Today I’m a commercial photographer. In the past, I worked in advertising as an art director.
When I was around 10 years old, my dad bought a Canon AE-1 SLR camera with a 50mm lens for my mom. It was too complicated for her so it sat in a closet in our house until I discovered it one day. I was always interested in gear and gadgets so I made it mine. I remember going with my dad to Montgomery Ward in Willowbrook Mall where he bought me some additional lenses. I was hooked for a while, but like most youngsters, I eventually lost interest, and found other things to keep me busy like the Commodore 64 and Nintendo.
Fast-forward a few years, and eventually I graduated from Texas Tech University with degrees in Advertising and Design Communication. I went on to work at several advertising agencies in Houston, St, Louis, and Chicago where part of my job was to hire photographers for client projects. At the time, digital photography was starting to take over and we were working at a photographer’s studio which was loaded with tons of the newest gear, such as Broncolor lighting, Phase One Digital backs, and more. I was envious of everyone working at the studio and wished I was there rather than at a desk at an ad agency. With no real photography experience other than the old Canon camera from my youth, I decided to quit advertising to pursue photography
I returned to Houston, moved back in with my parents, and spent all of my money on gear and equipment to get started. It was very slow at first, so I was constantly experimenting with my camera, lenses, and strobe lighting while working on my portfolio. I had no formal training so I lacked a bit of confidence. Eventually, I got my first real paying gig working on a project for the ad agency that I left. I kept experimenting and assisting other photographers and eventually I was confident that I could keep this up. Over 20 years later, I am still doing it.
Over the years, In addition to my work in Houston, Dallas, and Austin, I had the privilege of traveling to places such as Barcelona, Calgary, Miami Beach, New York City, Chicago, Hawaii, and more. I have shot for awesome clients such as Hewlett Packard, Rolex USA, Logitech, Coors Light, Tigé Boats, Texas Children’s Hospital, MD Anderson, Landry’s. Harry Winston, Intercontinental Hotels, Loomis Armored, Marriott, MeowWolf, PGAL Architects, and one of my favorite clients, Houston’s own Gabbanelli Accordions.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all. Working in this business is a lot like fishing. You have to cast your lure and hope a client bites. You also have to reel them in without getting unhooked and getting hooked by another photographer. Whenever I get a request to bid a job, it is safe to assume that the potential client is reaching out to three or more other photographers all trying to get the client to bite. Photography is expensive because in order to do it properly, the cost of doing business becomes very high. Before any revenue becomes a paycheck for myself, it has to go to equipment and software expenses, maintenance, business insurance, health insurance, adverting and marketing, taxes… the list goes on. Many potential clients don’t realize this and sometimes there’s sticker shock when I present an estimate.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a commercial photographer. I have done work in almost all types of commercial photography including automotive, architecture/ interiors, product, food, hospitality, lifestyle, portraits and more. Earlier I mentioned that in the beginning I lacked confidence because I have no formal training. Lately the fact that I have no formal training is what I most proud of. I never imagined that I would have had the opportunities granted to me when I was getting started.
What are your plans for the future?
Hopefully I can keep doing this. In the current economic climate, the cost of doing business has risen which means that my estimates have had to rise and the chance of landing gigs is narrower.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tfoteh.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tfotehphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tfotehphotography/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarick-foteh-2143b59/
- Twitter: https://x.com/tfoteh
