Meet Cody Pace | photographer

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

Hi Cody, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Aspiring to be an entrepreneur. Is not easy foremost. My photography business was born in 2015 but was not actualized until 2019. I started off with a $3000 business loan & purchased basic materials. I researched online photography equipment & gear via a series of YouTube videos. I put them together from various channels. I was not connected to the industry at that moment in time. So I had to be resourceful & study influencers in the industry. To help me understand what I was going to have to immerse myself into to become an elite industry photographer. My first clients were friends from the Raleigh/Durham airport I met & were willing to give me the opportunity to capture them. Mr. Devin Kruat, Aicetou, Markee Trusdale , thanks. Without them I wouldn’t have discovered my love for fashion creative photography. From there I built my portfolio over time and reached out to various models & artists. Ultimately it was not until I decided to move to Atlanta in Oct of 2021 that things began to change for me. I have been published 10 times since then. Worked with various agencies, & designers. So yes it was worth it. But the journey is a process & not an overnight fantasy. Your early years lay the foundation for the rest of your career. That cannot be rushed.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a high fashion creative photographer who focuses mainly on creative artistic design. What separates me from my fellow peers. Is that I’m driven on creating a healthier environment for black creatives. Our industry has been hijacked by sex & seduction. Every classification involving photography has its place. But it has put a lot of unnecessary pressure on me. On black creatives to feel that boudoir is the standard. Which is not the case. So I entered the industry to challenge the status quo. And help rebrand the industry back to its professional roots, With bold eclectic editorials. I would tell any inspiring photographer. Think deeply about your purposes for wanting to become a photographer. What market niche will your business have? And most importantly have a 5 year plan mapped out with flexibility along the way. The photography industry is under immense pressure right now. With such wide range exposure and so many new photographers entering the industry. It’s becoming harder for independent photographers to survive. So I would heavily consider a team vs a one man approach. I personally desire a healthier industry for independent photographers. Seeking to break out in an over populated industry. By helping them establish themselves on a local level. And over time help work up to international publications.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Atlanta has so much to offer. History, entertainment, great food. If I only had my best friend in town for one day, We would start our day with brunch from Toast on Lenox. Visit Stone Mountain which is a great outdoor Adventure. And conclude our night in the city with a visit to Sky Lounge. The aquarium and human civil rights museum are great tourist attractions. If you’re staying more than one day. I would definitely recommend it. JJ Fish, & Views Bar & Grill, visiting a couple of Historical HBCU is definitely a must.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a shout-out to Alexandria Lofton, for investing in me. I would like to thank every single model & influencer I worked with. And most importantly God is my ultimate strength from on high. My beautiful daughters: Nia, Ava, Natalia.

Website: www.OpticsForUs.com

Instagram: @opticsforus

Facebook: Cody Pace