Meet Don Foxx: Photographer

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

Hi Don, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I really didn’t thought about it. I just picked up an really old camera that me and my cousin Joy use to always used. Then it became an obsession. So I started to get consistent and realize that I could do this as an career and boom Foxxual came to life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I want people to look at Foxxual as an experience. Pictures tells us stories that we struggle to put in words. I always used to struggle with saying how I feel with the right words and photography helps me with that. I feel I say more with my work. I don’t want people just to hear me but feel me. When I started doing photography I was just taking pictures, nothing more nothing less. I really didn’t have the time since I was in the military and then going through hard times at one point to which being consistent with it couldn’t happen. Then when I got out the military I went to work overseas and then I really didn’t have time and I notice that I wasn’t happy because I couldn’t take photos. I found myself buying retro cameras to compensate that even though I didn’t have the time to play with them and see what I could do. So eventually I came back home to the states and really got to it. Thats when I met Sean (mentor) at an little photographer meet up. After a conversation with him I was inspired and I just went with it from there. I struggle with being insecure about my work so I really never showed it or was scared to reach out to people to shoot with me because I felt like it wasn’t good enough but he taught me to just “keep shooting” and don’t care about what other people’s opinion about how it looks or what it should be. So I did just that. I kept shooting. I started shooting anything and everything until I figure out that I like shooting fashion and beauty shots. I felt I could be really creative doing as such because its like there is no limitations. I could make my photos as crazy or over the top as I want it to be and that makes me feel good. Also it feels good to take photos of people and they look at it and be like “OMG, I love it.” Feels like you accomplish a lot. But all in all, what I learn is to keep shooting. Some days maybe harder than others but eventually you will get there. Like what my favourite rapper Lupe Fiasco said in a song, “Everyday aint sunny but it aint so hard….” So just go out there and create and be passionate about it.

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.
I would take them to North Park Grille first of all. It may not be the best place in N. Charleston but the drinks are nice and the pretzel stick is fire. I’m just saying don’t sleep on them. I would take them to all the places where it shows the true culture of Charleston. Gullah Geechie. I don’t think we put enough emphasis on what the foundation of Charleston was truly built from. I’m proud to be Gullah. Its in my blood. Shout out to my home town James Island. Our accent is different and unique. We are most definitely an hidden gem. Take my friend to Downtown Charleston and tell the real history about our ancestors. The views are nice on the battery which you can see the harbor and Ft. Sumpter in the distance. Hit up Berthas Kitchen, Nana’s, and even go up to Nigels and get some Geechie wings.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shout out my brothers Chris, Daniel, Stu, Steven, Brandon, & Sean. My ace/right hand Joy. My sisters English & Zakeia. My mentor Sean Evans from Evans photography. Most definitely my Foxxual team Shahna (Assisting Photographer), Shy Base (Lead Stylist/Creative Director, & Jenesis (MUA). They most definitely keep me motivated and help me with my growth. Not only as a photographer but an individual.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foxxual/