Antonio Wells. Web & Multimedia Designer

The first interview on AntonioWells.com will start off with a colleague and good friend of mine Falaah Shabazz. Falaah is a Photographer, Graphic Designer and Marketer of Falaah Shabazz Photography. Specializing in commercial, fashion and concept photography and one hell of a graphic designer and marketing guru.

AW: Tell us a little bit about yourself?

FS:Well I was the, Son of a Share Cropper and… No, seriously, I am just a regular guy. I am a divorcee with three beautiful children and very single. Unlike a lot of individuals, I have a career that I enjoy and love. Photography allows me to be creative and provides me that much needed outlet to keep from going crazy. Being my own boss and having the ability to control all areas of business is also a plus.. I’m just big kid too, I love Nitro (gas) powered RC cars & trucks, all types of electronic gadgets and this new organic BBQ popcorn I’m eating! Ummmmm umm!

AW: Why did you want to become a photographer?

FS: In addition to being a photographer, I am a Graphic Designer. I was working on a project for a local band. The previous photographer was not available and I suggested that I shoot their photographs, for a small fee. I picked up the camera and off to the alley we went and amazingly, that is when my love affair with photography began.

AW: Why did you want to become a graphic designer?

FS: I was with an independent record label named CWAL were I worked with THE LEGANDARY TRAXSTER as a producer and recording engineer and we were a self contained unit; we did our own recordings, album artwork, posters, mastering, etc. I got kinda good at it, so after I quit the music industry (That music stuff is crazy!), I still had a good reputation for doing graphic work so I did it as a side hustle, while I worked as a retail store manager for an athletic apparel company. The company went out of business… I was scared I had 3 kids, a house, a wife, crazy bills and I saw it as my chance to take life, restructure it and try to never let someone control my finances again.

“I would rather fail myself, then to follow someone else’s lead and fall on my face due the their poor choices that don’t have my future nor my children as a priority.”

I mean I was making almost the same amount of money doing graphics part time as I was doing 40 hours a week for this retail chain! It only made since to go full time.

AW: Why did you get into Marketing?

FS: While designing graphics, you run into people that do not have a clue as to what they want or need for their business. I realized I was creating entire marketing plans for some of my clients and researched the the field and found it to be profitable.

AW: What school did you go to?

FS: CVS (Chicago Vocational School)

AW: Do you think one needs college or a degree to learn/perfect their skill?

FS: No not at all, Honestly I dropped outta high school in my freshmen year. Dumb… I know but I made it. I got a full time job, my own place at 16 and put my nose to the grindstone!

AW: What inspires and/or motivates you?

FS: The Bugatti Veyron– Yes it is 1.4 million & I will have one lol!

AW: What do you do when you get “designers-block”?

FS: Take a nap and when I wake up I surf the web for design or photographic inspiration.

AW: Do you have a favorite Designer or Photographer and why?

FS: Yes! Too many to name! ( & you Antonio )

AW: What advice would you give to an aspiring Graphic Designer?

FS: When doing graphic design for a client, its about the clients’ desires and needs, not bragging right with other designers! And stop using so many damn plug-ins… be original!

AW: What advice would you give to an aspiring Photographer?

FS: Constantly study your craft and learn to love light, constantly change your style if you do things out of habit when you realize that it’s a habit… change it!

AW: What type of equipment do you use?

FS: Photographic:

• 1) Canon 5D
• 1) Canon 20D
• 1) Elinchrom Ranger RX as speed battery pack with
• 1) A –head
• 1) S-head
• 2) 750 watt sec travel lights
• 1) Canon 50mm 1.4 lens
• 1) Canon 135mm 2.0 lens
• 1) Canon 85mm 1.2 lens
• 1) Canon 28-135mm 3.5 lens
• 1) Canon 70–200mm 2.8 lens
• stands, soft boxes etc.

Graphic Design + Photo Processing:

• MAC Daul 2.3 Ghz Power PC (6 gigs of ram)
• Samsung 19” monitors
• Photoshop CS4 with no Plug ins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AW: PC or Mac?

FS: MAC BABY!!!

AW: Do you use music while you work?

FS:Yes, a lotta rap (old skool)

AW: What are the tools you couldn’t live without?

FS: My G5 & my Camera

AW: What upcoming projects are you working on?

FS: I have a photography seminar called “The Flex Your Photo Seminar” sharing my trade secrets with my peers, covering Creative lighting, shooting techniques, model instruction and photo retouching

AW: Well, the motto on AntonioWells.com is to give back, or give something free. Is there a Tip, Trick , Technique or Advice that you can share here?

Lighting Corrections using Photoshop CS4

A sample of some of the thing to be taught at the 2008 Phlex Your Photo – Key to success seminar.

Thank you Falaah for that interview, keep up the great work!