Meet Winthorpe Burke | Owner of production company: Doreen Collective

We had the good fortune of connecting with Winthorpe Burke and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Winthorpe, what inspires you?
When I think of Inspiration, the first person comes to mind is my mother. Unfortunately she passed away to cancer, but she fought all the way until the end. Being from a single parent, I watched and witness what resilience, determination, discipline is from my mother, and I keep those principles with me to this day. As I got older, is when i truly understood how hard she was working, just to make sure food was on the table every night, gifts under the tree for Christmas, and everyday birthday was amazing. She has and always will inspire me to keep pushing forward, she is no longer with us in the physical but her energy is still felt. She continues to fight. The Reason why I named my business after her..

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
So the name of my production company is called Doreen Collective. My team and I create create high quality film and photography for your lifestyle, brand or small business. For small businesses and brands We give the solution to increase your digital presence. Something I take very special time when creating photography or videography collections, is really making sure there is a storyline and narrative present and the work needs to feel immersive, in a way cinematic. That is where the art side of comes into play, whether you’re a cinematographer or photographer, the work is not only pressing the shutter or record button. There needs to be a sense of story, and emotion needs to be triggered. I lead with that mindset on every project. With having that philosophy, it made the journey that much harder to get where I am today, I’ve experienced many times, my input towards the clients is not wanted or taken seriously, just hit record and go. As an artist or a business owner we have to bite our tongue on many occasions. It came to a point, when I wanted to be recognized for my brain and not only for which camera my team owns. I had to make the conscious decision to be on myself and If someone is not willing to see the art with my company, then I would turn down business. It was a lesson of being true to myself and being a voice to say “hey, we know our stuff too” That leads into what I want the world to know about me and my brand. I wan to create work and creators behind it that look like me, and maybe that would connect with people who are unsure of what they want to do to connect with us and spark that inspiration.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This might be a short one, but this is where my artsy brain kicks in. Of course we have to go to the HIGH museum, that a no brainer, I even have the annual membership. Next, we have to check out the NFT art space that recently opened up out here. Now when It comes to food, I look going to to buford highway and checking out food spots that you wouldn’t normally find on Yelp, one place in particular is called BoBo Garden, the duck their is insane! We are going to workout at some point, I practice a martial art called Jiu Jitsu and anyone who visits me has come to the academy at some point…Pretty much mandatory

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Two people who always get a shoutout every chance I get is my mother and my wife. My mother, may she always Rest In Peace, is my foundation of who I am today. The life lessons, the love, the stern discipline. Is what shaped me and allowed me to find direction.

My wife, but she also my best friend. She was with me from beginning to end during my mother’s transitioning and never left my side. She and I my mother shared something very in common, a true genuine heart for those they love. A piece of me left with my mother that night, but having my wife with has been replenishing it every minute.

Website: doreencollective.com

Instagram: DoreenCollective

Linkedin: Winthorpe Burke

Twitter: @winshoots

Youtube: Doreen Collective