Today we’d like to introduce you to Qasim Barnes.
Qasim, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I first decided to get into photography and film professionally, I was working in the IT industry. Sometime during 2012, I started shooting friends doing both photography and video, equally passionate about both. During 2013 I invested in my first camera and had begun to do freelance work here and there. 2014 my hunger grew and I decided, without a real plan, unfortunately, I wanted to take the big leap and just build my brand in which I left the Law Firm I was working for to do that.
Working freelance for weddings, small photo gigs, and video gigs had become my norm. I was taking anything to stay afloat. 2015 I added editing and shooting films to my resume and that became the norm for me. Events, film, weddings, school photography, photo shoots, and video shoots were now all apart of my resume. Either I was traveling filling in for someone or tagging along helping someone when I wasn’t shooting for myself. Through these years I built and kept a relationship with what was a local hair extension business but have expanded to several stores across the US called She’s Happy Hair.
Since 2013 they would hire me off and on for various shoots or events. I once approached them a couple of times about possibly shooting with them ongoing for more commercial work. Fast forward, still doing everything I was before, in April of 2017 I had a sit down with one of the owners and he decided to bring me on contractually for all of their commercial work which is what I am currently doing full time now. If I do have any downtime so not to totally get rid of my brand I shoot here and there, if possible.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t been smooth. When you don’t get a big loan to invest in the business and are using your own capital, it can be very stressful. You want it to be a fairytale, you leap, lots of clients, and of course, lots of money to support your family, lol. It’s not like that at all, you have to make sacrifices every day and you have to work even harder because you literally don’t know where you’ll be getting money from day to day. Other struggles are just running a business without training. You do the best you can and try to make good practices but there are just some things you cant plan for. It hasn’t been horrible, but it hasn’t been perfect. I learn every day, I try to get better every day, look at what doesn’t/didn’t work and build from there.
QShotYou – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’ve branded myself as a “Digital Content Creator”. I specialize in helping individuals and businesses brand themselves by photos or video or both. I’m taking the images, videoing the content, and editing the content when necessary job to job. I’m not only known for taking some memorable photos but also my eye for storytelling or creating moving visuals gets some good attention. As a company, I’m proud of being able to grow every day in knowledge and skill level and watching it show in each new client I work with. I like to hear others who appreciate my work answer what sets me apart.
I think its interesting that some specifically choose me over another brand as there are hundreds, lol. What sets me apart I believe is, I’m tied into my work. A client not only gets a good shoot and product, but my energy, charisma, and expertise is always attached to that. I’m always willing to explain and help you grow in all creative aspects of the project no matter the budget, my investment as a visionary stays the same.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
At this point, personally, I’ve come to realize that success should actually come with a es, successes. I believe it’s not one thing or place or destination but a collection of events, accomplishments, and continuing on to do everything you set out to do to the fullest, all while inspiring, helping, educating others in those successes.
Success is never ending, or at least I don’t want to stop at success, I want plenty, and every day I achieve new things, create new memories, build new relationships that are apart of those successes. It’s more of a journey for me. We’re all on the journey. When you’re able to create a way for yourself and remain yourself, that’s success.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.qshotyou.com
- Phone: 832-304-3805
- Email: contactus@qshotyou.com
- Instagram: www.instragram.com/qshotyou
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/qshotyou
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/qshotyou
- Yelp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tellemqshotyou
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChLncM32mVSyr63BNZ5vFgg
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.
