Today we’d like to introduce you to Brendan Trogdon.
Hi Brendan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstories.
There are so many different reasons why I do what I do. To get to them all here would be next to impossible! I’ve always been the one taking photos! Even before I got my first professional camera, I was taking photos for my friend’s Instagram posts, taking photos the entire time I was on family trips, and taking photos anywhere else I got the opportunity. When my first DSLR camera, the Nikon D5200, arrived via FedEx, it was an immediate game changer. With things like composition and the rules of thirds already ingrained in my knowledge base, it was time to learn all the camera settings, professional photo editing, and more. And I loved it!
Come May of 2022. I graduated from Uwharrie Charter Academy and Randolph Community College with my HS Diploma and general Associate’s degree. I was trying to decide what I wanted to do. I had applied to over 15 schools, getting into all but one, and finally accepted an offer from Appalachian State University, but something felt wrong. After talking with family and friends, and hours of contemplating my options, I backed out of App and began looking for an online option. One that would save me thousands, still give me the education I wanted and allow me to focus more of my time on the things I love. And that’s when it hit me; with years of experience in photography, along with my burning passion for capturing once-in-a-lifetime, breathtaking, & emotional moments, Royal Photos was born.
It doesn’t end there, though. As a newer business in a saturated market, I was focused on building brand awareness and taking any opportunity a client presented me. I did some portraits (family, graduation, etc.), captured the Dixie Youth Baseball World Series, and took wildlife and travel photos. I had no niche, unlike every other photographer. Not because I didn’t want one then but because I didn’t know what mine was. Realizing this and focusing on it more, I noticed I had many interests, all of which bled from my personal life into my business.
In August of 2022, I started a portrait photography job doing very traditional portraits for church directories. I traveled all over the East Coast, visiting churches, meeting such unique individuals, and working with other great photographers. But by November, the job I was starting to get used to becoming the one thing holding my business back, preventing me from taking my photography to the next level. So I left.
Sitting here today, I call myself a Wedding, Sports, and Portrait Photographer. While that is my focus (my niche), I still capture so much more than that – and probably always will! I have booked several weddings for the 2023 fiscal year, captured high school sports for the 2022-23 school year, and have been taking on more couples/families as portrait clients.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Starting any business, in my opinion, is not what I’d call a “smooth road.” Every business owner makes mistakes when starting, especially when you don’t have someone there who’s already been through it – telling you what to do and not to do, giving advice, etc. And that was the case for me! Although I do have a background in business from when I started and managed an LLC for a year, which made registering my business a breeze, I had to start from scratch when it came to everything else – my brand image, my pricing, my marketing strategies, my booking process, and my client documents (welcome packets, contracts, etc.) which are still being revised to this day.
My first couple of months in business was around the time of graduation, my graduation, so I knew tons of graduating seniors from multiple schools in the area who needed professional photos. This accounted for almost the $1.5-2k I made in those months. After that, things dropped off for a bit – I began working a portrait photography job full-time and didn’t have the availability to continue booking clients. I was making good money there, but my business was suffering. I needed more time and capital to continue the way I was. I even had to cut back from being a full-time student to a part-time student at CSU Global. So I left the steady paycheck to focus more on priorities – my business, my schooling, and creating a future for myself – something I Had lost sight of.
Another major obstacle for me is my age! Age is not a determining factor in the level of maturity, experience, and knowledge one may have. At 18 years old, I had graduated with my HS Diploma & Associates Degree, had already started one LLC that I managed completely from its finances to marketing, owned stock in several different companies and continued to manage my portfolio myself, and so many more feats that some twice my age haven’t come anywhere near. Though, when I attend an event or session, I still hear comments about my age or people talking down to me like I need clarification on what I’m doing. This will be something I deal with in the first few years of business until I have more glowing reviews and I’m a bit older, it’s unavoidable, but I continue doing what I’m doing and not let it get to me! It’s not always intentional, and sometimes even a compliment, but the prejudice and stereotypes that come with being a young business owner are around every corner.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a photographer and newer videographer specializing in weddings, sports, and portraits! I prefer a light, airy, true-to-color editing style with crisp, clear photos, but I am open to get creative depending on what a client is looking for. My style of photography falls somewhere in the documentary or editorial type, but I’m also able to do more posed and traditional photography. This means I love capturing those candid moments that tell a story. When I’m finished with a gallery, I will make sure it tells the story of your wedding day or event!
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something surprising that many don’t know is I’m still capable of a backflip or side flip! I don’t do it often, but I can still land it if I do.
Pricing:
- Wedding photography packages starting at $850
- Portrait sessions starting at $125
- Sports photography coverage – $100/hr
- Sports Raw Footage starting at $100/hr
- Sports Highlight Reels starting at $175
Contact Info:
- Website: theofficialroyalphotos.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theofficialroyalphotos/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theofficialroyalphotos
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theofficialroyalphotos
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/royal-photos-asheboro
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/theofficialroyalphotos/
Image Credits
Ivy Cannon, Joshua & Chaliss Phelps, Timothy Brower – ERHS
