Rising Stars: Meet Joel Potter

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joel Potter. 

Hi Joel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I always had an interest in Art growing up, but I didn’t truly start scratching my creativity itch until 2017. That year I planned a short Euro trip with a good friend and so I bought a DSLR camera to bring along and document the trip with some photos. The last stop on the trip was Barcelona and as the trip came to a close, I knew that I loved photography and I wanted to see more of Spain, somehow someway. 

For the year that followed, my fiancé and I saved every bit of money we could, and we applied to be English teachers in Spain. In September of 2018, we moved to Madrid. While we were there I made as many photos as I could, this time allowed me to learn a lot about myself and helped me hone skills and a photographic voice. I was able to experiment with many different styles of photography, play with various editing techniques, and build confidence by walking through the streets making photos. 

After 2 years in Madrid, we moved back home with family in NC before ultimately ending up in Raleigh. My love for photography has only continued to grow, and each time I bring my camera out I hope to make more interesting and unique photos than I have previously. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There were definitely many challenges I experienced along the way. However, I think the biggest obstacle has always been myself and my own mentality and I think that’s probably true for most people. There were many aspects of photography that took a long time to build confidence in, and I have a long way to go. Walking around busy downtown areas with a camera was extremely uncomfortable to me at first. I always worried so much about how others perceived me, but the more I did it the less it bothered me and the more free I felt to make photos. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I think my work is a bit all over the place but generally, I do street and live music photography. Ultimately with all of my photos, I try make the viewer feel a part of the scene and convey a feeling that they are looking at a memory, not just a photograph. By focusing on this goal, I hope to create a cohesive body of work despite having a variety of subject matter. 

How do you think about happiness?
Time with my fiancé, my family, and friends, making and consuming Art, working out, learning new things, and a tall glass of water. Because these are the things in life that I can control and that brings me peace. I think a healthy dosage of all of them make living life a lot more wholesome. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.joelpotterphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_jpott/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joelpotterphotos

Image Credits
Joel Potter