Today we’d like to introduce you to Henry Edward Hall.
Henry, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I retired in 2010 from 30+-yr careers in sales of media/marketing services within newspaper/radio; e-commerce & financial services industries. Restless in retirement I decided to transition college photography classes into a PT job. I secured photo service retainers with Hornblower Dining Yachts; Dodger Stadium Suites; French-American Chamber of Commerce-LA among others.
Also, I was submitting community event photos to local publications some of which made publication. I served as Special Events Coordinator for First Lady Michelle Obama’s local project Let’s Move! West LA. In that capacity photographing over 100 public Let’s Move! events during a period before Mrs. Obama left office my photos developed broad attention among supporters of Michelle Obama and activists in health and fitness.
More recently (Summer, 2017) while vacation in Brasil I was connected with administrators in a Santos, Brasil Art History Museum. They wanted to commission an LA photographer to take photos for a Museum Exhibit on the Los Angeles Street Art Movement. The show opens: “Santos to Los Angeles – Graffiti to Graphite” on May 19th at the Museu de Arte Sacra de Santos.
Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t been as difficult as I had thought. I actually realized that I enjoyed the challenges and was able to use seeming barriers as momentum builders to the next achievement. The main difficulties was helping clients understand the potential of ‘proper promotional marketing technique’.
A bunch of nice events photographs from a trade show or special event are nice for sentiment. But the real value of photographs are realized in a carefully planned marketing campaign. That meant I had to help my clients (in many cases) articulate short/long/mid-term goals and objective for the business or groups to which they were committed to.
My background in advertising, sales and marketing were extremely helpful in securing and maintaining clients.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Event/trade show producers would contract my photo services to learn to analyze crowd flow patterns and to examine the attendee’s faces to determine how much pleasure was being derived from an event. Plus photos could be used for future promotions. I worked regularly for several law firms photographing surveillance targets or locations.
A City Engineering Department wanted a photo-record of sidewalks and streetscapes in preparation for a funding proposal in connection with a downtown redevelopment project. These represent less than glamorous roles for the Photographer. But my latest project commissioned by a Brasil Art History Museum represents a pinnacle for my photographic art skills.
The Museu de Arte dSacra de Santos (Museum of Sacred Art of Santos) is a major regional arts institution connected to the Catholic University and governed by the Catholic Diocese of Santos. The Museum is housed in a former Benedictine Monastery constructed in 1650. The City of Santos (founded 1540) is South America’s and Brasil’s largest port for commercial and pleasure shipping.
The exhibit (opens May 19th) that will feature my photography art reflects the Museum’s innovative mission to reflect contemporary art trends around today’s world.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
There’s no better environment to pursue technical creative work than in greater Los Angeles. Home to the TV/Film, commercial advertising, digital media, industrial design and the list goes on. LA is a mecca for learning from the best professionals in the field.
My work opportunities are enhanced with a constant proliferation of business trade shows, conferences and conventions. These events produce a consistent flow of client acquisition opportunities.
For new businesses and self-employed entrepreneurs just starting, decide on who your customers or clients are. Then learn as much about them and their businesses as possible. Join and support the groups or associations they join and support. Network – network – network with professional clientele whenever possible.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 310 967 2089
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @henedhall
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsmovewestlosangeles/
- Other: www.henryedwardhall.com
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