Meet GAVIN BOULWARE | Photographer and Podcaster

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

Hi GAVIN, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Resources for artist are not only limited, but diminishing. For Black creatives, it fades even faster. I started the Paid in Exposure Photography Podcast as a way to inform creatives in my city, about free resources nobody knew about. Growing up in Charlotte, not known for its huge communities of color, I realized Black artist are not only misinformed about resources, but we don’t believe some things are possible in our city. Starting out in photography, I remember a fellow entrepreneur telling me about free business courses being taught at the local college year round. From taxes to business setup, even marketing, these classes were free but somehow I couldn’t find any Black artist who knew about the resources. Whether it’s grant information or just simple tips on composition, each week we give photographers tools on how to become better artist.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The hardest and most rewarding lesson I’ve had to learned during this journey is “progress over perfection”. If you’re waiting for everything to be right, it’ll never get done. Pair a computer science degree and a 10 year sales and marketing career to a guy with a camera- let’s just say my mind was everywhere. I had NOBODY around me to just say: START! The world has a funny way of self correcting and placing everything in order and in the process I was thrown into Photographer. I realized in the mix, I had experiences and connections in different arenas that gave me the ability to assist other creatives.

My ability to fuse different worlds together has always been my strongest asset and today I believe it makes my photography podcast the only of it’s kind. When you listen to other photography podcast, they’re probably very gentle, airy, less than thought provoking and honestly boring. When I developed the Paid in Exposure Podcast, I threw everything out the window. I wanted photographers to feel like they were sitting around with their friends discussing what mattered, however everyone common interest was art. So yes we’ll discuss why we need a new SZA album but first we’ll discuss what should be in your photography wedding contract.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Welcome to Charlotte! Depending on the season, we have to go to a sporting event. The energy in the city is different when the Panthers are playing or even after the Charlotte Knights are playing. No matter what day it is, we’re going to Snooze for brunch for their Sinful Pancake. Think of a cinnamon roll pancake, topped with bacon!

After brunch we’ll pick a neighborhood, NoDa area for a laid back bar vibe, Uptown or Southend for the restaurants, faster pace city vibes or we’ll check out Camp North End for more of a hidden, arts area.

At night we’re going to Stats for soul food, great music and drinks! Literally you can’t go wrong.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
EASY- Kevin Wilson Jr! I randomly met Kevin on the campus North Carolina A&T and the first thing he told me was “one day I’m gonna make films”. For me, I wanted witness the process, so I kept in contact with Kevin and our friendship truly started as accountability partners. While he was writing and directing plays, I was trying to find my style and photography but he did nothing besides encouraging me to be a good man, but a better artist. Pushing me to try new styles. encouraging me to step outside of my comfort zone, connecting me with other artist…Kevin never stopped believing in me.

I remember Kevin going through the journey of creating the Emmett Till play. To witness that play develop into an Oscar nominated film, to see his newest commercial with Procter & Gamble, I’m grateful and thankful. Much success to that brother and I can’t wait for more.

Website: https://www.gavinboulware.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/iAM_GAVINB

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamgavinb

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdFk_y3zxbUcFZ_j44M51lQ

Other: https://www.paidinexposurepodcast.com