Meet Derrick Palms: Palms Perspectives | Photographer

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

Hi Derrick, what is the most important factor behind your success?

The most important factor of my success getting started was being able to put in the work and  creative grind for free. Many people always tell you when working in a creative field or starting  your own business to know your worth and never work for free. For me, working for free was  how I built so many relationships, and ultimately built a portfolio that I can now use as proof of  my worth to not only myself, but to those you will be working with. I am my biggest critic and  starting in photography, though I love it, I was always nervous that I was not capable of creating  those wow factor shots you see in post event social media posts of big name bands, or music  festivals. Capturing an event for the first time for free took away all the stress and allowed me  to learn on the go, try new things, and build my confidence.  

My entire career and almost all relationships built have come from direct messaging businesses,  people, and events/festivals on Instagram or Facebook and asking if I can come capture their  event for free. One I love events and music so even though I may have been doing something  for free, I was surrounded by an environment I loved. Secondly, this led to the client wanting to  hire me for future gigs due to my execution and customer service, or word of mouth advertising  to their colleagues in the same industry. It has helped me expand my business model and think  of myself as a Moment Capturer and not just a music or event photographer. I have been lucky  to not be stuck in one niche market and have been able to capture moments from events, to  senior and family photos, and one that I never thought would be so fun which is proposal and  engagement sessions. I never would have had any of the opportunities I have had, had I not  built a portfolio that I can use to showcase my work to future clients.  

Though any creative field can be demanding, and many people experience burnout, living in the  moment while capturing a moment, or being able to look back at the joy that freezing a  memory for someone forever has helped make everything worth and want to keep grinding.

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.

What sets me apart from other photographers besides just general style, is working tirelessly to  ensure that my photos are candid. This is one of the hardest things to do, especially in  portraiture, is getting your subjects to be comfortable and make it feel as if I am not there. I am  with the masses who do not necessarily like having their picture taken. That is why I am behind  the camera, so I work to ensure my subjects can feel their normal selves which make for much  better photos, and much happier clients.  

I also work to turn my photos around in 48 hours. I believe that everyone should be proud in  their own skin and only do minimal editing to a person. My least favorite request is “can you  please make me skinnier”. Everyone has natural beauty in their own way, and this should not  be changed in a computer. I believe real is ten times more fulfilling than a photo that doesn’t  

even look like someone, and that only hinders personal confidence. I am here to help show off  the real you! 

In event and concert photography, I make it a point to take the time to talk with the venue,  artist, promoters, sponsors, and anyone else of importance who will make the event happen to  ensure I meet their wish list of what they are looking for. If you only make the venue and/or  promoter of an event happy, this can cause them to loose brand deals if their sponsors are not  happy with their coverage, or make bands not want to perform in the future due to them not  being satisfied as well. The little details matter just as much as the big glory shots do for an  event.  

Being an Event Manager for my day job has helped being a photographer for these moments so  much easier because I know what to look for, know what the marketing team will need/want,  and know the overarching flow of how the event will function to make sure I do not miss  important moments. This has helped me in all my other forms of photography as well to be  quick on my feet with creative solutions as well as being able to focus on the small details.  

Lastly, I actively work to not get the “Instagram Shot”. These are shots you see day in and day  out of a specific location. Everyone goes to one spot and stands in the same place to get their  photo. I want to find a new creative way to capture the same subject. This gives you something  to be proud of because it is something different than the masses have, and something you  worked to create.

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?
Favorite Spots in the City Top 5 for a week trip

• Breakfast: -Waffle House (No Shame) -West Egg Café -Another Broken Egg Café -Revolution – Donuts -Star Provisions

• Lunch/Brunch -Mary Mac’s -The General Muir -The Varsity -Amelie’s French Bakery -Henri’s

• Dinner: -The Vortex – Little 5 Points -Yard House – The Battery -The Sun Dial – Fancy Views of the city -Grindhouse – Burgers -Top Golf – Dinner, Drinks, and Golfing

• Bar: -Dark Horse Tavern – 10 High Club Live Band Karaokee -Live at the Battery – Sport and Social & PBR -Pour Taproom – on the Beltline -Smith’s Olde Bar – Get their chicken tenders and Attend a Wake up Kids show as well! -Glover Park Brewery – Marietta

• Activities -National Center for Civil and Humans Rights Museum is a must and you have to do the sit in experience while you are there. -Attend any of Atlanta Sport and Social Clubs festivals they host in the Spring (Grilled Cheese Festival, Slingin Wings Festival, PubCrawl on the BeltLine, etc.), or the Fall (Uncorked Wine Festival, Oktoberfest, Atlanta United Watch Parties/Tailgates, etc.)! -Attend an Atlanta United match and you must come to the Resurgence tailgate before the match and participate in the March. Amazing group of people and most fun at a sporting event you will have! -Attend a performance by The Atlanta Ballet at Cobb Energy Center. -Relax in Piedmont Park. Walk the BeltLine and enjoy all the art and end in the park sitting on the swing or bench by the Midtown Reflection.

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 want to shoutout my mother, Jannell Palms, who is now the owner of an amazing Salon in  Cumming, Ga (All in the Palms Salon Studio). She is the reason I got into photography because  she was a natural sports photographer as a hobbyist for my younger brother playing baseball  and would allow me to try my hand at photography and taught me a thing or two along the way  sparking my interest in this field!  

Also, my wife, Sicily Palms, is my biggest fan and encourager and inspires me daily to continue  growing, learning, and wanting to make a difference in this world. I would not be where I am  without her!

Website: https://www.palmsperspectives.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palmsperspectiv/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/palmsperspectiv/

Image Credits
Derrick Palms | Palms Perspectives