Meet Jeff Fyke | Photographer and Storyteller

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

Hi Jeff, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
How does one gage success? Is it a huge social media following? Maybe its increasing your profits continuously. Those are both wonderful things, however success to me is a cultivated relationship. With every shoot, if I am able to create a relationship with the subject(s), then they no longer see themselves as clients, but as friends. It is a lot easier to do a photoshoot with people you are comfortable with, rather than a complete stranger. And, it makes the session/day so much more fun! I tell folks, “If you aren’t having fun, then I am not doing my job.”

So, the biggest factor in my success are the relationships built over the years. When a couple hires me to capture their love story, they are not merely hiring a photographer, but a storyteller. Someone who desires to know them and tell their story through photos. The only way one can truly do that, is to take to cultivate a relationship. And that relationship goes way beyond the shoot. I am still good friends with people I did photos for ten years ago, and I continue to capture their family milestones.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Photography, like most art, is a gift. A creative eye is not something that can be trained or created. Skills with a camera, however, can be cultivated over time through practice. I have learned so much over the years about lighting, angles, and posing. Am I am expert? No. However, I am so much farther along than I was a decade ago. Like anything worthwhile, you have to continuously hone your craft. I will intentionally put myself out of my comfort zone in order to grow and learn. I am constantly learning and growing.

When I am capturing a wedding, I am telling a couple’s love story. The goal is for people to see the photos and feel like they were there. True emotion should radiate from the images captured. Love, joy, and excitement should be felt when going though the photos. In order for that to happen, I treat the bride, groom, wedding party, and all around me the same way I would want to be treated. I am blunt when I need to be, but also compassionate and understanding. I do my best to see things from their point of view so I know how to best communicate. I know a bride isn’t going to want hair ties around wrists, necklace clasps showing, hair flying around, and her appearance to be disproportioned. Much of the work on wedding day is intentional observation, so there isn’t as much work in the editing process. It has taken years to make this habit, but it has enhanced my editing process tremendously.

What am I most proud of? It’s not an image, publication, award, or wedding. I am most proud of the relationships Ive built over the years. The messages I receive from brides telling me how beautiful they look in their photos lets me know that I did my job. When I go into a home for a family session and I see the moments Ive captured over the years hanging on the wall, it warms my heart. I get so excited when I get a text message from a past bride wanting to book a pregnancy announcement session and they haven’t even told their husband or family yet. Theses moments (and many more) are what I am proud of.

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 is my second home (especially during baseball season). I am a HUGE Braves fan! So, we would definitely make sure my friend came during a Braves game. If Truist Park isn’t cool enough, the Battery Atlanta is! Punch Bowl Social, Yard House, and Jeni’s Ice Cream would definitely be stops. I am also a huge lover of animals so the zoo or aquarium would be on the itinerary as well.

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?
My story began in Nashville, Tennessee. My grandfather started his own flooring business and I worked with him in my teens and early twenties. I learned from him the dedication it took to start your own business. However, although working for my grandfather was a wonderful experience, installing and refinishing hardwood gym floors was not for me. Through high school, my grandmother paid for art lessons for me. I love painting and being creative. However, an oil on canvas master I am not. In high school and college, I had the opportunity to travel to Jamaica, China and Kenya. I took photos of things I found interesting, so that I could tell the story of my trip to others without having to do a lot of explaining. I fell in love with photography and storytelling during those trips. I decided that my passion and purpose was to tell the stories of others. My background in art gave me a creative eye, and my experience with my grandfather gave me business insight.

Website: fykephotography.com, jefffyke.com

Instagram: instagram.com/fykephoto

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefffyke/

Facebook: facebook.com/fykephoto