Meet B. Keith Crear III | Multi-Media Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with B. Keith Crear III and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi B. Keith, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
Constantly Researching trends: One of the top habits I have picked up is to research current trends and figure out ways to market with them or within their realm. This goes from traditional ways to advertise to using social media. Using current popular language and visuals to incorporate into my advertising to gain new customers. Following my own path: Along with being in an industry such as photography/graphic design its easy to get caught following the norm. You have to create your own way of doing things and paving a path for your creativity to represent itself. Don’t follow what everybody else is doing. It’s like entering a crowded freeway when the side streets free and clear. Constantly practicing my craft: One of the MOST important habit that I picked up was, ALWAYS PRACTICING. You are never too great to not practice. I still do online graphic design projects and tutorials to sharpen my skillset. Even as a successful photographer, I still randomly shoot sessions to perfect my eye. Practice Practice Practice. Always marketing with current events: This crazy habit, I probably picked up over the last few years, was market using current events. You will be surprised the audience you reach by marketing online using current event references. It’s one of those weird things that I stumbled across while on Facebook. Once you start getting creative and start doing it, you will see how many major corporations do it. Its wild, but it works. Always build relationships: I constantly talk to people and build a positive rapport. You may not always book a client or score a new customer that will buy from you, BUT you can most definitely leave a lasting impression. Sometimes just meeting new people and/or getting in a room with like-minded individuals is better than getting a sale.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I received my 2nd degree in Visual Communications-Video Production. As a Graphic Designer that picked up Photography, I have used those skills in conjunction with each other to help push my career creatively. Being an artist and a creative, you can literally “paint’ out the path you want. It can spawn to new branches of visual communication. Starting from a Freelance Photographer/Graphic Designer, I have become successful in professional sports, being a media photographer and curating digital content for professional sports teams in the XFL, NFL & MLS with my sports blog, www.SportsFusionLive.com. I also curate and create digital content for SB Nation/Canal Street Chronicles, which is a major media outlet for the New Orleans Saints. I also cover events for the Harris County Houston Sports Authority, photographing sporting events and the Houston Sports Awards. It wasn’t easy. I had to constantly stay positive and not let anything get in the way of what I wanted or my journey. I learned to be humble. I learned to keep striving to be more and more creative and knowledgable. My story/journey began in the heart of Greenspoint and I want to show the world my brand/story with a positive reflection of being a product of my environment.

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.
If my friend was visiting and was new to the city, We would maybe hit up Buffalo Wild Wings for wings and beer. The hit up Improv to see a few of my comedian friends from the city. Depending on the time of year, go to a Rockets, Texans, Stros or Dynamo game. We would most likely hit a bar stroll downtown and rock out to the city lights.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Ashley Mitchell of Ashley Mitchell Salon and Spa. I had the pleasure of meeting a Ashley, who was a referral from a previous client. She hired me to redesign her website and take employee headshots for her salon and spa. Ever since I completed her website redesign, she has been constantly referring me via word of mouth and tagging me and my business on social media, which has resulting in additional bookings and sales. I am greatly appreciative. This goes back to my previous point of Building Relationships/Positive Rapport.

Website: www.56GrizzlyMedia.com
Instagram: instagram.com/56grizzlymedia
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/b-keith-crear-iii-a52a6451/
Twitter: twitter.com/56grizzlymedia
Facebook: facebook.com/56grizzlymedia
Other: www.SportsFusionLive.com

Image Credits
Both Pictures of me holding camera: Photo Cred: Christopher White of SportsFusionLive