Today we’d like to introduce you to Cornelius Dotson.
Hi Cornelius, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hey everybody my name is Cornelius Dotson also known as C-Dot Visuals. My photography journey started in March of 2020. The pandemic was in motion and everyone was quarantined and jobs were laying people off. My job was suspended for a few months, so I decided to look into photography. I always have loved photography and I thought this would be the perfect time to explore it.
I did some modeling for a few of my photographer friends just so I can learn more about photography, angles, lighting, etc. So I went on the Facebook marketplace and bought a camera for $100. A Canon Rebel T3. I begin to walk around downtown and photograph random things just trying to learn the camera. My first official photo shoot was for one of my friends who saw my work and wanted some pictures.
It was probably the most nervous I have ever been. I completed the photoshoot and people loved it. I started getting more and more requests for photoshoots and it has led me to where I am today.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t define it as smooth because it definitely has not been easy. Photography takes ALOT of work. More than people realize. There are extremely long nights of editing, preparing for photoshoots, brainstorming concepts, etc. There are a million things that can go wrong and in most cases, you only have one chance to get everything right particularly with wedding photography.
Some struggles include equipment issues, clients who may not be satisfied or who are very particular, and the grind that it takes. But all in all, even though there are many struggles it is all a part of the process of becoming great at what you do. So it has not been a smooth road but it has been a necessary one.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
So I am really able to shoot anything including weddings, events, family pictures, etc. But I am most known for my concert photography with different celebrities. That is my specialty. I have always loved music so getting the chance to be around and photograph/capture so many great artists is a dream come true.
I have had the chance to meet and photograph many dope artists just in my first year and five months of starting photography. One of my proudest moments was taking personal photos for the rapper, Fabolous, down at the Arch. He posted the pictures on his page and they were also featured on TheShaderoom’s Instagram page. That was definitely a huge accomplishment for me. There have been many celebrities that I have photographed and hopefully, the list will continue to expand.
I believe what sets me apart from others is my dedication to the craft and my unique eye for capturing an image at the right time. A lot of people call me “Mr. Everywhere” or say “he is everywhere” because I dedicate my time, energy, and effort to doing what I love. Also, anybody can pick up a camera and take a picture but it takes special attention to detail to capture the right moment at the right time and I believe those are the things that set me apart from other photographers.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice for those starting out is to first learn the craft. Learn about your camera, what it does, its features, etc. When I first started I learned everything on the fly and by watching Youtube videos. If you want to be good at something you have to know what you’re doing. Secondly, I would say shoot every day or try to shoot as much and as often as you can. It doesn’t matter what it is. Go out and practice. Thirdly, I would say figure out what you want to specialize in and hone in on that. Photography is very broad.
You have food photographers, concerts, portraits, weddings, real estate, etc. There are so many different types and avenues. Figure out what you want to do and start doing the necessary things to do to make you money and succeed in that area. Lastly, when you first start editing I would encourage you to find your editing style. That was one of the hardest things for me. There are soo many different editing styles out there but find the one that works best for you. It will definitely come to you and the people will let you know.
One thing I wish I knew starting out was how much time and energy it takes. The grind is really real! Especially if you want to be the best in what you do. You have to dedicate yourself to the craft if you really want to be great at photography.
Contact Info:
- Email: cdotvisuals@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/cdotvisuals
- Facebook: Facebook.com/CorneliusDotson
