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

Hi Corey, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I am from Newark New Jersey and as a teenager I later moved to Augusta Georgia. I look at myself as a unique individual because it is rare to see someone who has experienced the trials and tribulations that I have, be where I am today. Coming from a broken home to finishing school living with my grandparents taught me at an early age that nothing is given or promised to you. I watched my mother work long hours and struggle to keep the utilities on and maintained. I seen my dad live a lifestyle that was frowned upon, so I learned early that success can only come in one way and that is through hard work. I played two sports growing up basketball and track & field, so I learned the essentials of teamwork, practice, trust, passion, development, and competitiveness. With my photography I now use those same behaviors and characteristics with my art.

What should our readers know about your business?
With any business you go through ups and downs and lots of changes throughout the years! I have gone through name changes, pricing models, competition, potential client let-downs, personal health and many more. In most cases when you experience “tough luck” naturally you want to give up, but failure or quitting is never an option for me. My wife and I always joke about how rules were made…..because at some point somebody did something that made you have to create a rule for it. This may sound crazy but early on I did not have deposits in place for clients. I know right smh! I had THAT much trust in people that when they said they will show up for a session I believed it. So I got sick and tired of the let-downs and no-shows that I had to start doing deposits for certain bookings. Another challenge I faced was having to learn my true worth and increase my prices. My prices were at the same level for over 8 years and never altered or changed but my work’s value greatly increased. I was too worried about if this person or that person would pay or book if my prices were a little higher. I was in my own way instead of looking at it from a business standpoint. Every business goes through price increases I mean Netflix is no longer $4.99 a month and now look at them and Amazon Prime used to be $79 for the year and now look. So, I had to get with the program and understand that I was a brand and ultimately a growing business. As a competitive person I am always seek validation and feedback. Sometimes I am too hard on myself and can get stagnant but having positive people in my corner always get me back rounded. I feel that my personable approach with people separates me apart from others the most. I have been told “I have never met a stranger” I communicate at the highest level with people and try to be the absolute most transparent. I aim to create comfortability with my clients. Whether it is a little kid, or model I want them to be completely comfortable while I am shooting. Business wise I am always trying to learn and advance my skills with photography that is why I where I am today. Searching YouTube for tutorials, reaching out to my fellow creatives for advice and partnerships, teaming up during shoots, and social media outlets are the avenues I am constantly driving down to enhance my craft. The world should be excited about One TrueShot Photography because of the option to go Global is at the forefront and more travel opportunities are coming down the pipeline. I recently traveled to Mexico and currently in discussions to shoot in Puerto Rico. I feel that the business is beginning to spread its wings to higher heights and the goals are endless.

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.
Its funny you ask because I am still learning the area plus I am such a home body. I love to eat and laugh so I would have a lineup of Raleigh Improv comedy lounge, Good Nights Comedy Club, Flemings Prime Steakhouse, Elements Gastro Pub for great Vegan food. I also have a good friend of mine that has a Food Truck called 716ers Food Truck specializing in Buffalo Chicken Wings. I would also introduce them to my friend who is an upcoming award-winning actor Kenny Lee Rountree of A Deadly Conversation. Raleigh area also has great Museums all around the city to experience as well! I enjoy working out so a few guest passes at the local YMCA is a must to burn off all the eating that will take place towards the end of the week!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give thanks to my clients that have been with me from the very beginning. A lot of my client from 2010-2011 turned into trusted friends through the years and without their continuous support I would not be making the strides that I am making today. I would like to thank Veeta Dinkins for trusting me for her recent photography needs which ultimately opened this platform to share a little of my story. I would like to thank Ben Denson on his level of expertise with assisting with getting the business side of things going for me. He helped me launch my website and directed great value in my social media presence and I greatly appreciate him for that. Lastly, I would like to give my wife of 12 years Angel Truesdale a special shoutout. She has been with me ever since I picked up a camera. She watched me start off in nightclubs to briefly teaming up with me. I put my camera down after we moved to North Carolina in 2016-2017 for a couple of years and after having a heartfelt conversation with her, she opened my eyes to what I am truly passionate about which led me to picking my camera back up and not turning back! So, thank you Angel for all the energy and support you have provided to me to growing my business.

Website: www.onetrueshot.com

Instagram: One_trueshot

Linkedin: Corey Truesdale

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OneTrueShot?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Other: TikTok @onetrueshot

Image Credits
Shanel Nicole Kenny Lee Rountree Arianna Arnold Nicole Lucus Jennifer Tierney Khala Mccollum Ruka Ademola Jeremy Jones

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