Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Bridges.
Kyle, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The idea for Shot Maker Media began as a dream that manifested from my time at Texas A&M when I started getting into photography and videography while working for 12th Man Productions for the university’s athletic department. I would shoot and edit videos for various sports at A&M, which provided a huge learning opportunity that sparked my interest in media. When I graduated, I went into a completely different field, not knowing exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. About a year ago, I decided I wanted to get back into creating, and bought a drone, as well as a mirrorless camera and Shot Maker Media was born. I see my photography and videography as my way of expressing myself, my work of art.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s been a mostly smooth transition back into media. There have certainly been things that have popped up that I did not expect when I started the business. Drone laws are ever-changing as their use increases in our daily lives. Obtaining a drone license was more challenging than I thought it would be, but after months of studying, I was able to obtain my Part 107 license – allowing me to legally fly and make money from my photography. Now that I have that squared away, I feel like I’m in a good position moving forward.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Shot Maker Media story. Tell us more about the business.
I consider Shot Maker Media to be a jack of all trades. When I first started, I thought I would be doing mostly real estate photography, however, most of my work has been focused around travel photography. Since starting my business last year, I have done photography in real estate, travel, sports, engagement, and maternity. I’ll be filming my first wedding in September and always open to new challenges. I pride myself on being able to do it all. Whether it’s photos, videos, or interviews, I am able to handle whatever my clients’ needs are. I like to make guarantees for my customers so they can be confident when they choose my business and what I have to offer. Guarantees that they will be satisfied with my work, which includes: numerous edits and welcoming feedback to adjust the project exactly to their liking. I know there are many photographers out there, but I want my client’s experiences with me to be memorable and ones that they would tell others about.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I am not a big believer in luck, but rather setting yourself up for success. I think good opportunities come to those who work hard and persevere through adversity. That being said, I definitely was in the right place at the right time when I started my business. Last December, I had a friend who was starting a travel company, Here & Now Travel, and wanted to know if I could help him by making some videos for him. I gladly agreed to help and made a couple of promotional materials for him. One thing led to another and I went with their group to Costa Rica in July and will be going to Tulum, Mexico with them in September. Getting paid to be a travel photographer is the ultimate dream!
Contact Info:
- Email: shotmakermedia@gmail.com
Image credit for the main photo:
@Toatesmedia
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
