GSU.Cam
The Vision Behind the Lens
When I hear the words “Campus Celebrity” I imagine someone who is driven, optimistic, and in some way is making an impact on their campus. Trent a.k.a GSU.Cam embodies all of those qualities listed above. Even though it’s his freshman year at Georgia Southern University, he and his photography is getting a lot of buzz around campus! Every time our paths cross I always see him with a camera in hand and an apple laptop decked out in an assortment of stickers on standby for uploading and editing. Trent’s main goal is for his work to be the best and well known on campus and around the world one day. With his determination and professionalism with his craft, I see his vision coming to fruition in the near future.
Her Campus: How long have you been doing photography and what made you interested?
Trent Brown: I hate answering this question. I’ve only been doing photography for 2 months. Like I’ve always taken pictures on my phone and dad’s camera but when it comes to using an actual camera and wanting to do it professionally it’s been about 2 months, but I feel like it’s a hustle for me you know . At first it was a hobby and now it’s my hustle. I met some great people, studied them, took what they did, and did it myself. There’s a quote that says “Never be afraid to imitate the people that made it.” Don’t copy them exactly, but follow the process they went through to be successful.
HC: What camera do you use and why?
TB: Right now I use a Canon 2.5, it’s not the best camera, like a lot of professional photographers know. The reason I bought it was because I’m a college freshman and I can’t go out and buy a $3,000 camera.It’s been getting the job done.But really soon I’m getting a new camera. My dad is going to get me one really soon! With the things that I’m trying to do I need another camera, a better camera. With me and my work, I want it to be the best. Right now I don’t have the finances and I needed someone to invest in me and that right now it is my father. My dad knows what I’ve been working on and knows how hungry I am. My father and mother are extremely proud of me. When I told her about the interview [Her Campus interview] she called me and said she was ecstatic!. My father was like “that’s good son” stuff like that.
HC: Who are some of your favorite photographers and how do they inspire you?
TB: There are people from Instagram I follow is really how I’ve really gotten into photography and study their work. My top 5 people that I really study on Instagram would be Mrcheyl, Jaynumberfive, Domquattro, Gkhz, and Be El Be for videography. I reached out to some of them and they replied back with critique and admiration of my work. I worked at Morehouse, I knew people that took pictures around there and kind of watched them.I love critiques and I’m always trying to find ways to get better, I want to be the best
I’m a people person, I want to get people involved I like to shoot with people and shoot people in their environment
HC: What do you think is needed to take the “perfect selfie”?
TB: Lighting is key. I prefer natural light – most of my photoshoots are outside.You have to take more than one picture because you want to have your different variation and you have to have a good camera.
HC: What tips do you have for beginner photographers?
TB: Even though I’m a beginner I’ve experienced a lot. My biggest tip would be to be determined, you have to be hungry. You can be creative as much as you want. There are people that are 10x more creative than me and have 10x more ideas than me but the biggest thing is is that you have to be hungry you have to talk to people there has to be more to you. There are plenty of people that have talent and don’t do nothing with it. There are people that have talent and don’t know how to harness it . and the biggest thing with me – what’s gotten me working I’ve been in college for 1-2 months and I’ve gotten job opportunities for school, working people, getting interviewed for this article. If you’re passionate about something you have to go after it and I’m young and I’m really seeing that. I drove back to Atlanta just to shadow somebody. I want to be the best so if you know something I don’t know I’m going to learn from you and don’t be afraid to be critiqued and you have to be open minded
HC: Do you plan on doing photography at southern? (Newspaper, Organizations etc.)
TB: I work for a radio show here, I work for Visage, Georgia Southern is considering hiring me. I was emailed by the Georgia Southern Creative Production Director to apply for a position with the school, but I haven’t heard anything back yet, I want to get more involved I’m already involved somewhat but doing football games is a goal of mine. I don’t want to work for southern I want to work with southern. It gets overwhelming at times, but I know it’ll pay off in the end.
HC: Is there anyone a Southern helping you get your name out there, a mentor?
TB: There is one person in particular J.R. who has helped me a lot.He lives around campus and he’s a former student. He’s a photographer and his style is different from mine, but we feed off of each other. I appreciate him and his critique.
HC: How are you branding yourself? Has it been effective-feedback?
TB: I have a website http:facesz.vsco.co/grid/1 and an Instagram GSU.CAM. I’ve been gradually putting stuff on there it’s been more of my business pictures I’ve been taking more of my personal projects and I’ll eventually post those pictures on there as well. At one point on my Instagram, I got like 200 followers in a week and now I have 700 followers and it’s only been one month of having my page up.
HC: Where do you see yourself and your brand by your senior year?
TB: In the next 3 years, I wanna be kind of satisfied I don’t think I’ll don’t think I’ll ever be fully satisfied with anything because there’s always room for improvement. I just want to be happy with my work and stable with what I produce. I want to be personally fulfilled. It’s not about the money or the fame or the flash. I only spend my money on better equipment. I want to be the best the biggest IG page etc. I want my work to be known it doesn’t have to be about me I want my work to be known. I want to master photography and work on my videography.
HC: Is anything else you want to add?
TB: Know that you will know me – you will know my work.