Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyler Coleman.
Tyler, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve photographed food for over 100 restaurants around Los Angeles and have worked with event, portrait, and product clients such as One Kings Lane, Squareup, Whole Foods Market, Victoria Secret, H Monthly Magazine, Wireimage, PEN Center USA, Kingdom Industry, and many actors and business professionals.
I got my start as child when I first picked up my Dad’s old camera. I’d constantly pretend like I was a photographer, photographing anything I could see through viewfinder; my dog, family, toys, trees. Despite not having any film in it, I loved hearing that distinctive “CHKCHZZ” when the shutter snapped. That curiosity and intrigue of capturing and creating images has carried over into adulthood and has manifested itself into my professional career. I’m lucky to say that I’ve been doing this for nearly 10 years.
I’m looking forward to continue building new relationships and expanding my portfolio and client list.
Has it been a smooth road?
Taking the leap into the world of freelance and working for yourself is scary, totally challenging, and completely rewarding.
I left a stable 9-5 job to jump into freelance. There’s no rulebook, directions, or guideline on what to do or how to do it. When I left my job, I reached out to all of my contacts to put out the feelers for any potential projects. I eventually booked several event gigs for little to no pay. It felt good to get out there and start building a portfolio. But those positive feelings were quickly met with reality.
At times I was so broke that I literally had 0.53¢ in my bank account after buying a $1 cheeseburger at McDonalds. Other times I had to borrow money from family just to make rent or even buy groceries. It was a hard reality to face which makes you question leaving a stable job in the first place.
But it was through those gigs and experiences that has shaped me and molded me into the commercial photographer I am today. Through those early projects and sticking with it, I made new contacts and landed new projects and have grown my client list and project list into what it is today.
There will be highs and there will most definitely be lows. Stay humble, be honest, persevere, and do good work.
Who, or what, deserves a lot of credit for where you are today?
The most important and influential people responsible for my career are my parents. They have always supported me and blessed me with the tools to be creative and fostered my interests.
Professionally, I would have to say that Peter Hurley is definitely an influence in my portrait and headshot work. I’ve been following his work for a little over 3 years.
What kind of work do you look forward to most?
My favorite type of client is the one that’s collaborative but not overbearing or too hands-on. The type that has a broad idea and lets the creative team execute it and interpret it how they see it.
Being a photographer, almost any project is my favorite. There’s nothing better than collaborating, conceptualizing, and creating compelling images.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were just starting out?
If I had to start over, the only thing I would have done differently is I would have started earlier.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.typierce.com
- Phone: 8187260546
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @typiercephoto
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/TyPiercePhoto
