Shoot Your Shot

What do you specialize in, what are you most known for? Event + Tour Photographer, Mobile Photographer Instructor, Creator of Shoot Your Shot The C. Allen Experience - an interactive photography experience Everyone has a story about why they started, what’s your’s? I first picked up a camera while interning for Music World Entertainment under Mathew Knowles. I quickly realized the camera gave me access to certain rooms and events that sometimes were exclusive. I found a purpose in documenting my experiences and doing my best in capturing special moments. I really enjoyed the access that photography gave me. Being in business can be hard and difficult sometimes, what keeps you motivated? What keeps me motivated is knowing that we live in a time where entrepreneurs and creatives can still tap into untouched areas of creativity. With the birth and advancement of social media we can share our ideas and creations with the world on a global scale. The biggest motivating factor is that we do not have to seek any single person's permission to do so. I'm also motivated by so many of my peers working in their passion. What can we look forward to from you in the upcoming year? In the upcoming year I plan to bring my Shoot Your Shot C. Allen Experience concept to a variety of business types in the city of Houston and plan to bring it to other cities. We are starting in January with a host of Shoot Your Shot Pop-up Shoots. What has been the hardest thing about being in business? The hardest thing about business is staying consistently on target with having to wear all the hats in our business. It's easy to focus attention on less important areas of our business instead of focusing on the bigger picture. Any22 | AVID MAGAZINE

body can do business and accept payments but actually growing your brand, distributing your clear concise message can be a big challenge. You want people to "get it" but it takes turning supporters into ambassadors for your brand. What are the failures that you most cherish? The failures that I most cherish is having to operate and create without having the budget and budgets that I would like. What did you want to be when you grew up? When I grow up I want to be an entrepreneur that introduces the world to new photography and lifestyle changes. For example, making learning photography a household thing instead of it just being a hobby. I would like to continue to be a visionary. What do you do in your free time? In my free time I love attending movies, movie premieres, going to parks and newly added I enjoy visiting wineries. How would you describe yourself in one word? Visionary What sets you apart from others who are doing the same thing? My inclusive personality. I feel like knowledge is sharable as well as talents. I don't mind sharing my knowledge with others and knowing that I just like my fellow man or women who loves what they do. What is a philosophy or quote that you live by? The quote I live by is that Life should be fun and life should be simple.

We are only limited by our own imagination. If you could offer one piece of advice to someone wanting to follow your path, what would it be? I would say in addition to studying your craft. One must practice practice practice and get out their and just start doing what it is they would like to do.

2020 will be back touring with the I'm Already Professionally Developed Tour with Comedian Eddie B as the Tour Photographer., and will be hosting the next Shoot Your Shot Popup January 8 at The Taste Bar + Lounge

For more information on Shoot Your Shot visit www.shootyourshottx.com; send an email to info@shootyourshottx.com

Be sure to follow them on Social Media, Instagram @C.AllenExperience @Shootyourshottx Facebook @ChristopherAllen