Melvin Elder Jr
Professional Photographer/Digital Creater
Mableton,GA
Summary
Creative Business Owner with exceptional background spent in photographic entertainment management, creative problem solving. Proven leader with engaging demeanor and success working in most demanding environments. Talented in training and mentoring successful teams.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Studio Owner
The Experience Studios
Atlanta, GA
10.2020 - Current
- Consulted with daily rental customers to assess needs and propose optimal solutions.
- Trained and motivated employees to perform daily business functions.
- Put together realistic budgets based upon costs and fees for successfully operating thebusiness.
- Oversaw business budget planning and administration, accounting functions, purchasing and bi-weekly payroll to handle financial needs.
- Capitalized on social media platforms to increase market awareness and recruit sales agents.
- Achieved sales goals and increased revenue and profits through productive strategy development and organizational leadership.
- Employed prompt decision-making and in-depth research to resolve issues.
- Remained up-to-date on current trends and attended industry trade shows and markets to view and order inventory.
- Maintained updated knowledge of regulatory changes to adjust business operations accordingly.
- Optimized team hiring, training, and performance for new hires and studio members.
- Created and monitored promotional approaches to increase sales and profit levels including social media and online ads.
- Learned and remained updated on statutory requirements and regulations.
- Studied market to determine optimal pricing of goods and services and to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
- Set, enforced, and optimized internal policies to maintain responsiveness to demands.
- Applied performance data to evaluate and improve operations, target current business conditions, and forecast needs.
- Devised processes to boost long-term business success and increase profit levels.
- Built and deployed operational procedures, training programs, and administrative systems to handle needs.
Lead Photographer
IOne Digital
East New York, NY
06.2021 - 06.2022
- Photographed high-quality images for August Issue of Hello Beautiful print and digital project..
- Completed complex photo shoot at indoor and outdoor venue.
- Digitally edited photos to enhance appearance.
- Consulted with clients to discuss commission ideas and style preferences to create mutually agreeable project parameters.
- Maintained and shared portfolios of artistic work to demonstrate styles, interests and abilities with potential customers.
- Performed advanced computer processing of images for assignments.
- Inspected proofs to verify quality and determine needed adjustments and retouches.
- Defined and recommended detailed solutions to capture images.
Set-Photographer
San Junipero Productions
Atlanta, GA
02.2022 - 02.2022
- Photographed high-quality images for the pilot show including food beauty and on-set stills.
- Digitally edited photos to enhance appearance.
- Selected and set up appropriate props, backdrops, and lighting.
Freelance Photographer
Elements Magazine
Atlanta, GA
03.2021 - 03.2021
- Edited, toned, captioned and uploaded photographs for publication of Reginae Cater April Issue.
- Photographed high-quality images for various print and digital projects.
- Planned and prepared for on-location and studio shoots.
- Maintained and shared portfolios of artistic work to demonstrate styles, interests and abilities with potential customers.
Lead Photographer
Bronner Brothers, Inc.
Atlanta, GA
02.2016 - 08.2019
- Photographed high-quality images for various print and digital projects.
- Edited, toned, captioned and uploaded photographs for publication.
- Completed complex photo shoots at indoor and outdoor venues.
- Digitally edited photos to enhance appearance.
- Determined and adjusted subject position, props and lighting equipment while selecting camera angles to optimize final product.
- Experimented with different lighting effects to deliver unique images.
Photographer Assistant
James Anthony Photography
Atlanta, GA
03.2013 - 06.2014
- Assisted photographer with 4 shoots per month.
- Changed camera lenses and made small light adjustments.
- Carried equipment from one shooting location to next.
- Collaborated with photographer and art director to assist with daily tasks.
Photo Studio Intern
Derek Blanks Photography
Atlanta, GA
06.2011 - 12.2011
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity for on-set work.
- Carried out day-day-day duties accurately and efficiently including but not limited to equipment checks, client check in's.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness, and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Worked flexible hours; night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Maintained energy and enthusiasm in afast-paced environment.
- Offered friendly and efficient service to clients, handled challenging situations with ease.
- Maintained excellent attendance record, consistently arriving to work on time.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Selected and set up appropriate props, backdrops and lighting.
Education
High School Diploma -
Luella High Shool
Locust Grove, GA05.2011
Skills
- Budget Control
- Staff Scheduling
- Department Oversight
- Assignment Delegation
- Decision Making
- Quality Assurance
- Originality and Creativity
- Employee Motivation
- Goal Setting
- Administrative Management
- Team Leadership
- Advertising Campaign Development
- Materials Planning and Logistics
- Customer Service Management
- Verbal and Written Communication
Timeline
Set-Photographer
San Junipero Productions
02.2022 - 02.2022
Lead Photographer
IOne Digital
06.2021 - 06.2022
Freelance Photographer
Elements Magazine
03.2021 - 03.2021
Studio Owner
The Experience Studios
10.2020 - Current
Lead Photographer
Bronner Brothers, Inc.
02.2016 - 08.2019
Photographer Assistant
James Anthony Photography
03.2013 - 06.2014
Photo Studio Intern
Derek Blanks Photography
06.2011 - 12.2011
High School Diploma -
Luella High Shool