INTRODUCTION

 

Timothy is an innovative and bright student who has used his passion to make a career from scratch. He is the founder of the Humans of UIC page that has well over 6,000 followers. Timothy’s testimonial offers great insight on how to follow our dreams.

 

 

 

JOB OPINION

 

What is challenging about being a photographer?

Photography is a very broad field. There’s landscape, portrait, wildlife, nighttime, cityscape, macro, and the list goes on. What I focus on the most is photography that involves working with other people. Putting models into poses that showoff the best in them is the most difficult for me.

 

How do you overcome the challenges that you face?

Keep trying different poses. If one pose doesn’t look good, keep trying.

 

What keeps you motivated?

I have a goal of becoming the most praised photographer in the world. There are a lot of photographers out there who have decades more experience than me so I try hard each day to better my techniques and skills.

 

In your opinion, what photography skills do you possess that makes you stand out?

Many of my friends say that my composition skills are on point.

 

JOB SPECIFIC (Photography)

 

How were you able to initially market your talents in order to gain clients and publicity?

I met many people by taking photos at various campus events for UIC News. Since many people liked my photos, they would contact me asking to shoot for them.

 

What type of people do you prefer to target with your photography? Do you purposefully appeal to different types of crowds?

With the majority of my photography, I try to focus on UIC students. I do photo-shoots with many UIC students and student organizations.

 

How much has social media played into achieving success?

Social media has played a large role in the success of my photography. Without the ability to share my photos online with others, I wouldn’t be where I’m at now.

 

Describe the goal you have for your photography career within the next 5 years.

I want to continue developing my photography by branching out and working with large clients. I don’t know where photography will take me but someday I hope to be shooting for clients all around the world.

 

Humans of UIC

 

What inspired you to start up the Humans of UIC page?

Humans of UIC started up as a grassroots movement. I gathered a team and collectively we started to make posts.

 

What is your plan for the Humans of UIC page within the next 5 years?

My goal is to get more students involved and staying active on campus.

 

Describe what it takes to maintain a successful social media page.

Post content that your followers want to see. If your posts aren’t getting a lot of traction, it means you’re heading in the wrong direction. Find out what your fans want and post that.

 

ADVICE

 

What does it take to excel in your field?

In any field, one must have a belief and work to achieve it.

 

Describe some hurdles in your life that you had to overcome to get to where you are today.

Most of the hurdles weren’t even about photography.

 

What advice do you have for someone who wants to follow in your footstep?

Don’t be afraid to fail. I’ve had many times in my photography career that I wanted to give up but quitters never win. If you believe in something, pursue it. In the end, you’re not going to be remembered about your 9-5 job or your A+ in Calculus, but people will remember you for how you stood out and made change.