Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Williams.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My passion for photography started at an early age. I saw Andy Warhol’s polaroids somewhere and I knew instantly that’s what I wanted to do. Capture people’s energy. Warhol’s portraits captured more than just his subject on film. He captured their essence, their being. I picked up my first camera at 9 and used my family as models. When they got bored I turned the camera around myself. It appeared as though I was the only one with the patience and dedication to play model and photographer.
Fast forward some odd years and I’m in the throes of a messy divorce. Unsure of how to cope with the world around me, I turn inside and look at the world the viewfinder of my Canon AE-1. That little window was my limited view of the world, but in that world, I was limitless.
I started using photography as a tool to connect with people. Bridging that gap between the reality they live in and the fantasy world I’ve made myself. My camera allows me to hide and be seen at the same time. I feel most myself with my Canon in my hand. It’s a level-er of some type. No one likes having their picture taken, but everyone loves a good photo of themselves and when there’s a giant camera shoved in the face of my model, it tends to evoke this feeling of insta-macy (instant intimacy) that cannot be recreated or manufactured.
Since “growing up” I have lived all over the world learning about different cultures and myself. I settled in New York City, it’s intensity fed my artistic ambitions and appeared to be the only city that could keep up with my hustling go to make a name for myself. Fashion just fell into my lap by mistake. My first campaign was for John Varvatos’ Resort Collection, followed by brands like Honda, Converse, Dear Drew, and more with editorials in Vogue, Out, Advocate, Gay Letter, Vulkan, Mens’ Folio and more.
I’m thrilled to be attending Savannah College of Art and Design as the proud recipient of the Frances Larkin McCommon full tuition scholarship as a way to continue my education and passion for my craft.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road to success is paved with obstacles. For everyone.
Not having a mentor of any kind was difficult. Everything I know about the industry I learned by myself, through making my own mistakes, which can be harmful when you’re trying to build a brand.
I try not to look back at anything as a failure, only a missed success, informing me of what to do better the next time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a photographer that specializes in creating moments in time that marry the power of the print with the feel of cinema. I can shoot literally anything. Products, places, people. Portraits are my favorite. it’s where I get the most out of my subjects. People always say to me, I’m not a model, when I pull out my camera. I just laugh and say, “That’s fine, luckily I am a photographer and you don’t have to be a model to get a good picture.” It usually breaks the ice and gets me a polite chuckle, but it puts my subjects at ease and reassures them that they are working with a professional, despite their own experience.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Never give up. Stupid and cheesy I know but it’s so true. There will be people that hate your work, that hate you, but I don’t pay the haters any mind. After all, they don’t pay my bills so why are they important? They aren’t. Do your work the way you see it, not how someone else tells you. People will eventually learn to accept if not appreciate what you do, even if they don’t like it, they will eventually come to respect you for doing it, for not giving up.
Pricing:
- Portraits start at $150
- Commercial starts at $1,500
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: aaronkicksass.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronkicksass
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/aaronkicksass
Image Credits
Aaron Williams (Aaron Kicks Ass)
