Meet Noel Austin | Journalist and photographer

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

Hi Noel, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I was always creative growing up. I thank my parents for really giving me that space as a kid to just do things that I liked from acting, writing, and painting etc. I started to take pictures really my junior year of high school but at the time I was a three sport athlete so I couldn’t really put much time into photography. It was just something that piqued my interest. I always had this perception of things that were just dope to me. Album covers and music videos,
landscapes,and architecture but I just kinda kept that to myself during grade school. It wasn’t until my freshman year at Fort Valley State University that I really had the opportunity to take the medium seriously. I was required to take a photography class and we were given a Standard canon rebel t7i. And that whole semester I was always outside taking pictures of any and everything just to practice to see what works and didn’t work. I just sort of fell in love with still images and the story they can tell or just creating dope documentary style shots of people on campus. It Wasn’t until that following year I knew I needed to buy my own camera and the rest is history.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Starting out with photography I really just wanted to make cool pictures for my friends and I to see but as I learned more and saw more in the photography mediums I started to be more intentional with my work. I started to not only make great images but tell a story as well. I’m currently coming out of a little hiatus from making a project. Because moving forward I wanted to create more bodies of work with intention of telling a story or just wanting to express some feelings that I feel in a moment. Musicians put their emotions into their music I do the same with visuals. All of my work up to now have been work that is still in the growing phase. I recently really transitioned to film photography because I caught myself trying to figure out how to get the film look without shooting film and as my friend Robert said “well you might as well shoot film” so I’ve been trying different film stocks to see which ones I like and don’t like. I’m really proud of my journey getting here and also the projects I’m working on for later this year. The journey has been really exciting to just be present for. I’ve met a lot of friends in this space from all over Atlanta. Photography really got me out my shell and really the tools to just put myself out there more. I try and not rush into the future I kind of learned to be more present and enjoy moments as they happen and so far I’m enjoying it more. One big lesson I learned was to stop trying to fit into a box to try and get noticed by people. If you stay true to who you are as a person and what your style is then people and opportunities that are for you will come to you in due time. I also learned a lot about patients especially in film photography by waiting for scans to be emailed to me. Which is still the most exciting part of the film process. Nothing is easy I always tell my friends that I’m always learning even if I’m on set of a big shoot directing it I’m still learning and open to learning a new perspective it just means your forever changing. I want people to see my work and enjoy it but also take something from it or just just enjoy it as a dope picture and move on with life.

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?
I would first take them over to little five points and go to wish all and rag o Rama to find an outfit. Then probably go catch a hawks game when they are in season. I would then take them to go see the New Black Wall Street Market at Stoncrest. I would then go to an art exhibit probably at the High hopefully it’s the second Sunday but still go to the high go take in some art. Lastly go grab some food at Ponce City Market and then just walk and enjoy the belt line and take in the view.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to first really shout out my family first because they always where there for me looking out for me still trying to find my way and supporting me throughout grade school and college. I also want to shout out Mrs Nelson my high school journalism teacher because really without her seeing something special in my writing and pushing me to really step out of my comfort zone and go the distance with journalism which would lead me to finding photography as well.

Website: four five shots.my portfolio.com/i-welcome-your-eyes-to-45-shots-visuals

Instagram: @thenoelaustin