Kenneth B. Walker Residential Home for Boys

Greetings All,

I hope all is well and you all are enjoying a good week so far. It's been a while since I did a blog due to school and work. Today I will discuss a recent project and I hope that the video will be an uplifting and positive story for someone out there.

A few weeks ago, A friend of mine who I've known for a few years, ask me to do a project for her place of employment. I was honored that she recommended me to capture a brief day in the life of The Kenneth B. Walker Residental Home Inc. in Columbus GA.

Kenneth B. Walker Residential Home, Inc. is a nonprofit, 501(c) 3 organization based in the heart of Columbus, Georgia. Since 2003, KBW Residential Home has been serving the youth of Columbus and surrounding areas, servicing males 6-18 years old who have suffered abuse, neglect or been incarcerated.  To date, KBW has served over 500 males in the state of Georgia.  KBW is CARF accredited in both group home care and counseling.

It was an awesome and positive experience to be welcomed with open arms, meet and work with the staff of The KBW Residental Inc. 

I would like to thank the staff of The KBW Residental Inc. for allowing me the honor to cover their project.

Please check out the video and I hope you enjoy. Also Please feel free to subscribe to my blog for new blog entries.

Feel Free to check out their link for more info.
https://www.kbwhome.com/

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The Man Behind the Camera-Raw Form

Greetings All,

I hope all is well. I hope that this blog may inspire confidence, positivity, and courage for someone today to make moves. A part of life is about changes. You must be willing to change or life will pass you by. I was speaking with a friend about myself, I decided to write this blog and open up a little. I hope that you don't allow life or even one day to pass you by because you were afraid to open up to the environment and those around you. 

I am in a better place now so I can allow myself to open up to you. Now I don't normally open up to any and every one, however, for once I believe I can give some a glimpse into my window.

I am sure a lot of you may not know me so let me tell you who I am. My name is Jeff D Stewart. Mostly everyone calls me DStewy DSoul or Stewy. Some of the people close to me would describe me as a goofy, yet mature guy with some wisdom and knowledge. I am a 28 yr old negro man that was making a decent living for the last 6 years until I decided that something was missing and at times, feeling empty.

I decided back in January 2016 that I need changed my path in life and started over because the military became part of the reason I had a hard time opening up to other outside sources and being a lone wolf growing up added to the stress of opening up. It felt forced at times to be a family in the military because in my opinion some of the people in the military are not genuinely all too concerned about you or your welfare and there were some people I was around that I felt wasn't sincere about you until you got in trouble.

Then and only then they cared because it took away from their time. I need a breath of fresh air desperately by that point because I wanted to be free and not feel like I belong to someone else and have to do things 24-7 whenever they needed it. People have said, "Man how could you leave the military right now?" I said, "simply because money isn't everything and I was tired of the particular lifestyle at that point." I knew that the military wasn't the end all be all.

There was more to life and a career than the military. The feeling of being free was sort of non-existent while I was in. It wasn't like I could just go any and everywhere without having to tell a superior. I felt like it was time to move on because I was no longer satisfied with just making a decent living and not happy with what I was doing.

I felt like the military by that point was a safety net from taking a leap of faith and get out to pursue what I really want to do. Now I am glad that I left because it's possible now that I would still be stuck in the rut had I stayed in any longer. I can do whatever and go wherever I want without having to tell a superior or the idea that the military is all up in my personal and private life. For the record, I did my time honorably so no I did not do anything stupid to get kicked out.

Being a lone wolf, I walk alone and mark to the beat of my own drum going back to my childhood. I am an only child on my father's side. I have one brother left and I am the youngest. It's not that I didn't have a family, I have both of my parents. They did the best they could to take care of me and that usually was a lot of time at home by myself. My brother is 8 years older than me so a lot of my time as childhood was spent with grandparents and aunts when my parents were working.

I blame nobody for my upbringing because in a way it allowed me to analyze the world at the time without too many distractions from others at times. A lone wolf also has flaws too. Over the years, I haven't been good at communication and I understand that it's created some distant feelings from others. Fortunately today, It's a slow process to work on communication with others on a consistent basis. 

I do apologize to everyone that I may have pushed away from inconsistent communication on my end. It was never intentional. It has always been apart of my makeup due to walking alone. Hopefully today, I put an end to this type of behavior. It's one reason why I do photography.

It has allowed me to open up socially to others over time that I may not have had the courage to before I picked up a camera. It has been a crutch of some sorts but I will be able to walk away without always having a camera in my hand as far as social interactions go.

I understand that I must build personal, professional relationships with people, and be consistent with communication without always having a camera in my hand because if I don't then nobody will really know the real me without the camera. The bottom line is if you're interested in someone or something, no matter how busy you are, you must be willing to make time for someone or something. 

If you choose not to, then the opportunity, the person may not present itself again especially if the person has moved on to someone else or if the opportunity has run through your hands like sand.

I am single. I have no kids. I have never been married and of course, I am not rushing marriage or kids because there will be a time and place for that but it will not be anytime soon. One Day, I will have that all together, however, I am not in a proper mind frame at this time to even consider those major life-changing events. When the time comes, of course, I will be in a better place to take care of another time and marriage.

My first introduction to the art world was in the form of poetry as a teenager. That would last until I pick up the camera in 2007. I didn't necessarily transition into photography right away. It would take another 4 years before photography became a full-time hobby. I write poetry every blue moon not as I used to when I was a teen.

I do at this point along with my poetry have a ton of work that hasn't seen the light of day yet on my end. I've been reminded a time or two that it's selfish to have a talent and not share it with the world. It's a waste to have a talent and not show it. It's taking the time to slowly but surely post more and share my work. It's not easy quite yet but I am getting a little better than showing my work.

Whatever you do, please do not have a talent and not show it because at any given moment you can go from a talented living individual to a dead talented individual who people find out about you long after you're gone. It's okay to be a starving artist, entrepreneur, or whatever is your nichè but you do not want time going by not sharing it because you never know what you do could be therapy, inspiring, or make a positive impact on someone else's life. As adults, it's two of our responsibilities to be role models, mentor the community, teens, and kids coming up. Don't Be selfish and not show what you can do.

A random fact about me is I happen to have an appreciation for women with pretty feet. I happen to express that with my foot photography that a few of you may have seen. No, I am not ashamed to admit one of my loves for women's feet. Everyone has something that they like about the opposite sex. I love everything about a lady's body, of course, however, I just happen to like her feet just as much as I like her mind, body, and soul. Never be afraid to let someone you may be into know what you like.

I am not saying tell them everything in one sitting, however, let things organically play out. It will save you a lot of time and headaches later on and even if it doesn't work out, the individual will respect your honesty at least.

Part of my mission in life is to be able to teach, mentor, & lecture those whose willing to listen and it's up to you to do whatever you feel is best with the knowledge. Aside from being an artist, it's also my responsibility to express and share my work hoping that it will invoke some type of feeling within you. It's a duty of mine to the best of my ability to uplift someone's spirituality and positivity. It's a goal of mine to capture and record life's moments, cherish them, hopefully, it will inspire someone, give them the extra push to get out there and live life.

It's never too late to start or learn something new. We are here to learn, grow, adjust to the changes in life to the best of our abilities. I am a late bloomer as far as getting out more, going to more social gatherings, putting myself out there more so people can gravitate towards me, learning to do more, talk more without always having a camera on my hip, and beginning to enjoy life. I just learned after all of these years to tie a tie this past Thursday. So It's only too late when you passed on from this place.

Also if you tired of being stuck at a dead-end job, then it's never too late to start something new and venture into a new path in life. We all have talents and maybe you haven't tapped into all of your talents yet, however, with that talent you're capable of at least being able to survive.

It won't happen overnight, however, if your willing to make sacrifices, effort and dedicate them over time it will come to fruition.  Also, don't quit your day job cold turkey until you at least have something going for yourself that is making the same amount of money at your main job if not more.

Today I embrace my soul, my name, my work, my brand because they're gifts The Most High and Son gave me and I can't allow these gifts to turn into a curse for not expressing or showing them.

I believe that this will be a good stopping point for the moment to give you a glimpse into my thoughts. I hope that you take this part of me and use it to the best of your ability.  Enjoy your day and week ahead.

Peace & Blessings.

-DStewy DSoul

Positive Vibes for the Week

In order to start the day, one must feel good from the soul. One must feel positive and confident in themselves in order for the day to end on a fruitful journey. 

The Shirt was designed by Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Testify Williams. 
Please feel free to contact him for Shirt designs on his social media Forms. 

IG: @trill4christmuzik
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jo.yung.56

Spring Rising ***New Photo Services***

Greetings All,

I hope all is well. As we begin Nature's new Life, I will now be offering other photo sessions now. These sessions & services will include:

Engagements

Proms

Parties/Events

Senior Portraits

Maternity 

Lifestyle

Marketing Branding

If you're interested, please feel free to contact me on booking your photo shoot today.

Modeling Portfolios vs Regular Portraits

This blog I will discuss Modeling Portfolios vs Regular Portraits. I know what you’re thinking, why the heck is this blog entitled Modeling Portfolios vs Regular Portraits. This blog is BY NO MEANS comparing models to regular people or to say shooting models is better than shooting people. Shooting models & regular people is a preference that varies from each photographer. It’s intended to illustrate that as a photographer, if you love photographing people, then be open to balance the two out or pick or the other and stick to it.

Hopefully, this post will inspire someone and learn from my mistakes. I also want this to be a learning experience too. If you happen to take up a new hobby as a photographer and you’re serious about it, You will definitely benefit from this. While you may love a certain genre of photography, if people are willing to pay for your services/talent, take the opportunity if it’s worth your while. Please keep in mind that it’s up to you to find your niche in photography as well and understand it’s okay to say “No” to some gigs. Remember you don’t want to hurt the market by taking every opportunity with little to no pay.

When I first started freelance photography, My first gig was shooting behind the scenes for a video shoot. It was around that time, I realized that I can earn a decent living over time doing photography. I began to practice with people and the world around me until I got a good feel my newly purchased entry level canon DSLR camera. It was also around the time circa early 2012, I began to models and a local music artist here in Columbus GA. I fell in love with shooting models, never to look back.

Over time, while gaining some traction with my work, I met a lady that had a modeling team here at the time trying to get her business going as well. I began to shoot her models which would be considered a time for trade shoot, in which me and the people involved would trade pics as payment for time. It was also around the time, I was sought after by a few people that liked my work at the time, requesting to book me for regular portraits session. Needless to say I wish I would’ve been more confident in myself and work to take those opportunities because there were times I missed out on opportunities due to being blinded by modeling photography. This was also around the time, when I saw other photographers works that blew my mind, I got a little discouraged which in terms caused me to take a little break from photography and much more not post my work on social media.

After a little bit of a hiatus around fall 2012, I returned to the scene to continue to shoot models. Around this time, I began to attend a poetry show that ran shows once a month around here and I proceeded to capture their events for the next year and a half. Also I was approached by a few people for regular portrait sessions. I provided my services for some portrait sessions opportunities, however a problem again because I loved to shoot models. I didn’t take some of those opportunities to shoot regular portraits and earn money.

In 2013, while the owners of the poetry shows, models and some clients were receiving their images, I was still blinded to shooting models. I also wasn’t posting much of anything else on my website or social media if it wasn’t modeling photoshoots. Here’s where I made a big mistake. During the summer and fall of 2013, I did a 5 year old’s birthday party and baby shower. As soon as each client received their images, I kept the images on file for 6 months. After 6 months, I deleted those images, even the finished product, because I was blinded by shooting models thinking, I had no need for those images. A decision until at this point I regret making because I could’ve shown potential clients, that I am more than capable of covering a baby shower.

I continued to push with shooting the poetry shows and models until I left for Korea in the spring of 2014. While in Korea, I began to shoot everyday Koreans & tourists in the form of street photography. While I enjoyed street photography, I was also shooting some of the american and Korean models as well. I also had the opportunity to capture two friends of mine wanting to take some photos before a military ball. I also provided photography for the job I doing at the time in Korea.

I returned back to the states April 2015 and didn’t shoot again until May. I went to South Carolina to photoshoot a friend’s grandson’s 4th B-Day party. I have those images that I will post at a later time. In June, I did 2 regular portraits sessions first with a lady I met that day and since has been a good friend of mine. The next one later in the week, with another good friend of mine that I’ve known since 2012. These two good friend of mine were the people telling me that my work is great and I should be getting paid. I began to take that into consideration but not quite yet because I had to missed at least one more opportunity for it all to sink in.

The last time I didn’t do a paid session was last summer, when a lady of one of my friends reached out to me to shoot her child’s senior portraits. Either out of fear or being stubborn, I didn’t take this opportunity. Needless to say, that could’ve been the one to propel me to where I could be right now with paying clients. During this time, I was shooting models more than ever, however I began to approach regular people and photoshoot them as well.

While I enjoyed photography up until that point, there was missing something in the process. I wasn’t earning money back in my work. Part of this was my fault. During 2012-2015, my confidence & self-esteem was low when it came to posting my work, meaning I was caught up with likes, good comments, but not marketing my work that ultimately would bring in money.  I wasn’t quite confident in posting my work myself on social media outlets because I was too busy trying to come off as perfect in my work which over time I began to realized that I am not perfect nor I am nowhere near the greatest photographer. I have a library full of photos I haven’t posted yet but will see the light of day soon.

The lightbulb finally came on when I realized that, unless you’re working for a modeling agency, selling the images to a art gallery, magazine, clients, etc. and/or if a model is paying you to build a portfolio, models paying photographers are very slim. In most cases as a photographer, if you approach a model first with a concept, more than likely, you have to pay the model especially if they’re portfolio is amazing or if they’re modeling full-time as a main source of income, as opposed to regular everyday people paying you for your artistic talent. There are special circumstances: if a model is blown away by your work and/or if you have a amazing concept she doesn’t have in her port, she will more than likely be willing to do a time for trade photoshoot though this is not always guaranteed depending on the model.

I must admit that it took a while for me to realized this especially since I didn’t have someone constantly telling me,”Hey I know you love shooting models, but to make money and reach a larger market/audience, you have to shoot everyday people because everyday people do not relate to models.” This explains why I have a lot of work with models but not much portraits sessions with regular everyday people. I have posted works with models however I believe a lot of potential regular paying clients haven’t or can’t contacted me because all they see my from my work is models. Since they can’t relate, a lot of people believe that’s all I shoot. I have to admit that it’s a mistake I made early on in my journey with photography. This is a issue I am fixing this now because I am more than able & willing to shoot regular people now, I just need time to work my way into their graces and prove myself.  I learned from my mistake and I am in a better position now. I still shoot models on the regular, however now I finally understand that regular people are the ones who enjoys my work and are more than willing to pay me for my artistic talents. I love to shoot regular people because it gives me the opportunity to capture them in their everyday lives or illustrate a day in the life of that person that will last a lifetime. I still love to shoot models as well, however now I have balanced shooting models and regular people.

Today, I am confident to say I am available for booking. I am comfortable with my work, I know everyone will not like my work and that’s okay. I am confident enough to own, promote my work especially if it means getting more eyes and bring potential paying clients to my work.  My confidence is not based on likes or follows because the  some of the people who are watching you grow but is not liking or commenting are more than likely the ones that will contact you when the time is right and everything falls into place.

If you happen to enjoy my work and I fit your vision, please feel free to contact me. At the end of the day whether you’re a model or everyday person, I am more than willing to photograph you that will create a story. I appreciate you taking time out to check out my work. Please enjoy your day and I hope to hear from you.