Happy new year! This year, I'm SO excited to be sharing some spotlights on my students as a way to celebrate their achievements and their businesses. We're kicking things off by introducing you to Rob Greene, of Square 8 Studio in Fort Worth, TX. Rob is a college senior portrait and wedding photographer and I can't wait for you to meet him!
Tell me about yourself.
I grew up in Atlanta, GA, but moved to Fort Worth in 2013. My background is youth ministry – I didn't own my first camera until 2015! No wife or kids yet for me… just a “Jordan” still looking for his “Amy”! ? When I'm not taking pictures, I'm watching soccer or movies, or teaching myself to cook!
Tell me a little about your photography business!
I took my business, Square 8 Studio, full time in October 2016. Crazy to think this fall will make 5 years in business! I shoot Weddings and College Seniors primarily! I love it because all the amazing college seniors we meet are often getting rings from their boyfriends not too long after their senior year! It's a great chance to get to work with people multiple times in a short period!
My photography journey has been nothing short of amazing every step of the way. I've traveled the country for 4+ years now, shooting weddings from Florida to Oregon (and one in Cabo!). I've worked closely with some of the most amazing seniors to graduate from TCU. And I've had the opportunity to reimagine what it means to be a photographer: we do crazy things like rent out a local movie theater to show our couples their photos and wedding films, and travel to exotic locations to give our more adventurous TCU seniors an incredible senior photo experience unlike anyone else's!
What started your photography journey?
True story: this girl totally broke my heart! We saw each other like 5 days a week because of our roles at the church, so I decided I needed to get away and clear my head. I borrowed HER camera (oops, haha!) and flew to San Diego, spending a couple weeks driving up the West Coast taking pictures! By the time I got back, I'd fallen in love with photography! I started setting goals for my work, and within a year I was making enough to quit my job and go full time!
What is your favorite thing about running a photography business?
My favorite thing about running a photography business is serving people! Whether it's the seniors and couples I'm photographing, or the photographers I'm teaching how to shoot with flash, I love putting smiles on people's faces. There are a million great photographers out there. There are far fewer photographers who bend over backwards to make their clients feel like the most special people on earth! One of my favorite ways we do this is, we give away a photo session every time someone books a session (kinda like the TOMS of photography!). AND, each year we pick a couple who's making a difference in the world, and shoot their wedding for free!
What is something you've achieved that you're proud of?
When the world was shutting down in March of 2020, I took an insane leap of faith, renting a studio the afternoon before our city went on lockdown, and recording an online version of a Flash Workshop I'd been teaching live. I had no idea that this would lead to teaching hundreds of students around the world in just a year's time! Flash photography is typically such a scary and confusing thing… I'm incredibly proud of the way we've turned something complex into something ridiculously simple! Our course can take a photographer who's never shot with flash before, and have them taking amazing flash photos by the end of the day! You can learn more about The Flash Course at www.square8studio.com/flash-course
If you could tell your past self one thing, what would it be?
Risk doesn't mean failure, it means opportunity. And failure doesn't mean I'M a failure, it means I have experience to learn and grow from. Sometimes you just gotta get out there and shoot your shot, and see what happens. Some of my greatest moments and seasons in life have come on the other side of taking a risk!
Where can we find you and Square 8 Studio!?
Are you a student interested in a spotlight feature? Fill out the application for more information!
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behind the lens
our *behind-the-scenes* membership program
Behind the Lens is our BRAND NEW MEMBERSHIP program geared towards family photographers! Each month our members receive a behind-the-scenes video of me shooting a REAL family session. As a bonus, I also include an EXCLUSIVE MASTERCLASS each month teaching on business topics I don't teach anywhere else! As our MOST AFFORDABLE, value-packed educational resource in our shop, it's a no-brainer for anyone looking to level up their family photography game! Join me every month behind the lens.
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