Today we’d like to introduce you to Connor Riley.
Connor, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My story as a digital media – brand strategist began in college. I graduated last year at Ball State University with a Bachelors in Chemistry, whilst my time in college I began brand building with my own brand at the time, “Tall-N-Bald.” I am a 6’5″ hairless athlete so the nickname I had in college seemed fitting. I then used this brand to start an awareness brand for an autoimmune disease I have known as “Alopecia,” this clothing brand was then invited out to Malibu, CA to be keynote speakers. I found that I had a knack for growing brands as I got “Tall-N-Bald” to be invited to be on American Ninja Warrior on season 9. After I competed on American Ninja Warrior, I was invited to be a fashion model for the apparel company “LIDS Apparel.”
Throughout this process, I learned that my passion did not lie in Chemistry. I loved the arts, drawing, graphic design, photography, but most of all, I love the act of my life being my art. Which is why I deconstructed my old brand, “Tall-N-Bald” and recreated my new brand, “Modern Monarch.” To make a long story short, my entire life has been a process of growing through insecurities, breaking out of my comfortable mental cocoon and becoming the bright bald butterfly I am now. As a kid, I was the skinniest, “twig boy” and “string bean” I’ve heard it all. I then had 16 teeth pulled and 6 years of braces. “brace face” oh how I hated talking. In 7th grade I lost all of my hair due to Alopecia, the best time to lose hair, puberty. So I’ve grown through feeling like I was the ugly little caterpillar to diving deep in my cocoon, to breaking out of all the mental barriers I built around myself. Now I take photos of others, turning Insecurities into Novelties and capturing Monarch Moments as we are all butterflies.
Has it been a smooth road?
It definitely has not been an easy road. My parents and family have never really supported my decisions, especially after graduating with a Bachelor’s and leaving to Houston, Texas with only one bag and my camera in the pursuit of my dreams.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Modern Monarch – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Monarch Moments, I do lifestyle photography of businesses products or services. I portray how it feels to use their product in a lifestyle shot with an influencer. Conveying emotion instead of just capturing a product. Most businesses post photos of their products without anyone in the photo, thus missing out on the human interaction people get when they scroll through their feed.
Now I am the Interdimensional Butterfly who helps businesses & brands prosper in today’s social media age.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the architecture, the lights and the promising environment Houston is creating. I was in between moving to Austin TX versus Houston TX. After being here for a few months, the amount of creative I have met has been astounding, the talent is undiscovered and I am excited to help the cities creative find their groove in life. I love that the state butterfly is the Monarch. Modern Monarch has landed.
Pricing:
- $100 for a 2-3 hour shoot
- $500 for one month of SM content & SM management
- $850 for one month of SM content & SM management & Brand Building Consultations
Contact Info:
- Address: 12123 Ryewater Dr
- Phone: 5742495596
- Email: connor.carlson2@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/modern.monarch
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connor.carlson3
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/modernmonarch3
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
