Today we’d like to introduce you to Gregory Rothstein.
Gregory, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I had two parents who were lawyers, so I became a photographer. I was initially in school for screenwriting, but after I took an elective photography class followed by a theory course, I walked up to the professor and asked, “Can I major in this?”
From there I guess I just absorbed as many experiences, learning opportunities and moments as I could behind a camera and hustled until I turned into my full-time job.
I know it’s short and sweet, but I got here because I was curious as to where the camera can take me and let that be my driving force, and so far it has not disappointed.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s been a battle, I scaled from sororities to traveling for clients in what has felt like a meteoric rise, that obviously comes with its own obstacles and challenges. One of my gripes with my education was I didn’t feel prepared as a businessman.
So when I first started out, learning the proper way to invoice, write an email, etc was the worst. All I wanted to be doing was taking photos and being paid, but without that foundational knowledge that can never happen.
I think I am just now finally getting a good feel for making sure I am managing my photography, just as effortlessly as I should be with the business side of things. I don’t think any journey is smooth so once I get that under my belt it’s onto the next major thing that needs to be tweaked about how I am running my ship.
I’ll say this to any starting photographer: learning QuickBooks will allow you to relax and see your business and where your money is going with full transparency. Trust me, once the money starts rolling in, you want to make sure you’re keeping everything in that department in order.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Gregory Rothstein Photography – what should we know?
I am known for a unique and collaborative photography experience that has allowed me to be re-hired and tossed around from client to client and truly expand what I refer to as my spider web of a network.
Gregory Rothstein Photography or for the early readers, GSixx Photography was initially just a place for my creative energy. As time went on, my past in retail from Abercrombie & previous life in the service industry with a few Lettuce Entertain You restaurants helped build what is now my full-time business, passion project and dream.
Customer relations is what sets me apart from the competition. I don’t know how other photogs approach their client interactions, but I make myself available at all times. I do my best to respond promptly within an hour or two of any email. I let clients know what to expect when working with me, I tell them when I am on my way.
I constantly check in with them to make sure they don’t need anything when I am on site, I promptly manage expectations of when they can expect the photos that they’re super excited about. Photography is far too oversaturated these days. If I am going to make this dream of mine work, I am not going to cut corners on how I treat the people I work with and for.
Over the last 5 years, seeing the diverse body of work I have captured grow in the way that it has is what I am truly most proud of. That has not been without the help of partners like 1871 Chicago, CNA, and TagPrints Digital who have allowed my work to continually grow and develop.
Events and portraits are my bread and butter. I am a storyteller and I want to capture a client’s event in a way that they would never think of, while also providing a memorable experience to an event attendee so they are just as excited about receiving their photos as the client is.
Portraits are dope in any capacity because it is about capturing someone’s essence in a small window of time, Right now my favorite portrait session of note was with WNBA legend Cappie Pondexter. She was one of the most genuine and incredible subjects that I have ever worked with.
There’s this black and white I got of her with her chain that was just super fun and raw and completely the opposite of what we were going for which is typically how portraiture works when it comes down to selecting the right image.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
They say it takes a village.
From college, Matt Girson and Steve Harp helped foster my love for photography and contemporary art which allowed me to begin the process of figuring out what I want my body of work to look and feel like when I take it to a public forum like social media.
The entire 1871 team who I have been with for almost 3 years. They are an incredible organization that truly believes that photography, but more importantly, good photography still matters. Plus, three years dealing with me I am sure they can tell you is no easy feat.
Ryan Jacobs of CloudSpotter Technologies and Mike Dawson of Shurpa deserve a very specific shoutout. During all our time together at CloudSpotter, these two were the ones who helped build the businessman I am today. No questions asked. I came to them being unable to craft an email or manage a client relationship as effectively as I do now. They patiently worked me and helped me develop into a confident and thoughtful entrepreneur.
Friends and family, we all didn’t think at first this could work… but now that it is, I know I have all of your faith, love and support.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rothsteinphoto.com
- Phone: 8476502560
- Email: greg@rothsteinphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregrothstein
Image Credit:
Megan Saul
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