We had the good fortune of connecting with Morgan Roberts and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Morgan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business came after years of working for someone else. I came from commercial diving and underwater construction. I remember my first day on the job in that career field, a fellow diver told me, “Morgan, I’m going to tell you something… Enjoy your time in this industry, make a bunch of money, and get out as fast as you can!” I sat there shocked. I had just acquired an excess of loans on school and training and day one, this man is telling me to get out. Fast forward a few years and I still had that conversation in my head. I seen how much I was making and how much the company I worked for was making and I realized, if I can make as much as I am working for myself then why do I need to work under someone else’s direction and be at their mercy. My ultimate thought process was, I would rather go out and attempt to work for myself and become self sufficient and fail, than to never do it at all which is a guarantee failure. I would rather live the experience regardless of the outcome than to never live it at all. Everyone is scared to take that leap, but I embraced it and haven’t looked back since.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art involves snapping pictures of what I see and showing the world my perspective. Capturing moments that last forever. Showing the world unscripted, raw footage. I came into this field unknowingly. I began with the idea that I wanted to create and capture beauty. Creation is a gift and I found a channel to express it. I get excited every time I get a call or request to appear for an event or a shoot. How did I get here? Well, I had a relationship with a woman who loved taking photos, almost every day we took photos together, she would show me what she liked and what she didn’t like about the photo, whether it was her hair, the lighting, her eyes and such. That like and dislike translated into my photography world and had helped me choose what “looks good” and what doesn’t. It set the groundwork for what was appealing to my eye. I have since then furthered my eye to capture the most enchanting photos I can deliver. Was it easy? Yes and no. Yes because everything kind of naturally fell into place as I began when you first interviewed me last year. After our first interview, things slowed down for a bit and now with the stay at home order and the closure of so many events and venues, that has slowed my work towards those environments. Since that type of photography slowed down, I began looking at the world as a canvas and started working on lightning storms, snowfalls, and environmental photos. What sets me apart from other photographers and videographers? I’m not scared to get dirty, I’m not scared to work hard and I’m not scared to get close to the action, whether it’s a stage performance or it’s a protest downtown, I’ve always been at the front and I can work for hours straight. I keep reminding myself, the final results will be worth it. I have been to countless performances and one of the craziest moments, I’ll never forget, I was at Spire in Houston, Trippie Redd was showing up. I was off in the crowd, to the left of the stage. He got on stage, there were hundreds of people there, I had climbed on top of one of the walls and started snapping photos from about 50 feet back, if not further. There was a moment where he locked eyes directly with my camera lens and I snapped the photo, of all the people in the crowd, that moment, he looked at me! The results were chilling! I have taken countless pictures throughout the years and the one thing that has not changed with every snap is my passion and my determination. I take every opportunity presented to me, from wedding photos to protest or even concerts. I have done it all and will continue to do so, no matter how far this career takes me. I want to show the entire world what life is and how to grasp it from a lens. I don’t just want to help people envision my personality, I want everyone to envision others as well. that is what I am most proud of.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The absolute first spot I would take them is Chinatown in Houston. I love that whole area down in Belaire. There is a restaurant called Kim Son, I would take them there to fill up and then right across the parking lot is a boba spot where we would get dessert! The next thing we would do is go down to Willis Tower and the waterwall, so they can see some of the most beautiful views. One day out of the week, I would bring them to the “Be Someone” Graffiti and show them that iconic location with the Houston skyline behind it. Next, I would bring them to meet some the people I have met in the field, whether it’s some of the friends from Hustle Town Network or friends over at H Town Vape. I would show them the Waterway in The Woodlands and the Graffiti Wall in Houston followed by some of my favorite taco trucks in Houston!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
One of my shoutouts go to my stepfather, he believed in me at a young age. He supported my every decision and was there during the easy times and there for the rough times. I have nothing but love for him and his support! Another shoutout goes to the late Napoleon Hill. Napoleon Hill is the author of “Think & Grow Rich” and the book that I read prior to starting my adventure, “Laws of Success”. Napoleon Hill outlined many things that I didn’t know or failed to realize. He brought forward an enormous amount of internal thinking. He also laid the groundwork for me to start developing self belief that I could and can do anything, as long as I put my mind to it and continue to believe. Anyone who is looking to begin a journey of success, I encourage to read this book! Thirdly, my family and friends. I have had ups and downs through my journey, but they have stuck by my side regardless of the position I was in. I couldn’t ask for anything else! Also, shoutout to Tex from Hustle Town Network. He and I have been working together on different projects throughout the past couple years, nothing but love from him and he has been an outstanding individual!
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