Today we’d like to introduce you to Winston Boykin.
Hi Winston, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I got my first camera in December of 2017, a Canon Rebel T6. That was my sophomore year at Maryville College. My ‘Ole Reliable’. She worked like a charm and still does now. I was to eager to use it. I went out shooting all that I could honestly, trying to learn how to use my camera. I have always had a creative eye, even from my younger days. As I got older and matured, my love for creativity grew. It wasn’t until after I got my camera that my creativity truly took off though. Being in school allowed me the opportunities to capture my classmates but also take a course in photography. My Junior Year I decided to take print photography class. We did mainly dark room photography, but learned all the different aspects of the camera and creating better compositions. With that opportunity I started to see my photography really blossom.
During that time my passion was cars, so being that I had a camera I wanted to take advantage of capturing my passion. I would go out finding different areas or car meets and go capture shots. It’s always been such an amazing feeling to capture many different aspects of a vehicle. From there I started my photography business trying to grow and build clientele. I worked my way from the car photography to also doing portraits and nature photography as well as events. But after a while things started to die down. Although it was still a heavy feeling to take pictures, I wasn’t being involved as much as I should have. I was trying to do things my way, and without really having the knowledge of running a photography business. Although things slowed down I did shoot here and there still when booked or just when an opportunity presented itself.
Fast forward a few years, I was still going at it with my camera. But It truly wasn’t until more recently that I really started to put my time in. I got saved in 2024 and as I mentioned before I was doing it my way, but this time around I gave God the authority over my business and all things to come with it. Ever since I have seen growth and opportunities appear like wildflowers. In my walk with God is where I found my deepest passion and I wanted that to translate in to my photography business. As I have continued to shoot and grow my business I have allowed God to bring in every opportunity that I have had. Because with out him I am nothing. John 15:4 says “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” In that scripture I find myself being able to put my trust fully in God that he has done exceedingly and abundantly in my life and business as he continues to do so. He has never failed me before so I trust that he would not ever.
My passion for photography has allowed me to grow in areas of my life that I would not have stepped out on in the past. With photography it is freedom, it is creativity and it is a moment that tells a thousand stories. My career has just yet started to grow but I see the potential for where it is headed. I have come to shoot a very diverse portfolio. From cars, to street, nature, portraits and special events, I have been able to be apart of a something that is bigger than myself. Photography allows me to see life through a different perspective. Being able to create compositions or just capture the moment, the reaction is the same every time, full bliss and awe. Being able to provide clients with memories they can cherish is what carries my journey. Through God and consistency there is growth and opportunity all around me. As I continue my journey I will continue to spread the word of God and hope to bring joy to every client.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road. I had to pick myself up a lot of the times and I’ve made my fair share of photographer mistakes but every opportunity is a learning lesson. It’s an opportunity to fine tune and regroup. As long as I’m still shooting there is always something that can be made better.
Some of the struggles I’ve faced are consistency, branching out to different areas, getting out of my comfort zone and finding clients. But I have come to grow in these areas through keeping my work up and just following the direction that God gives. I had to grow to become better. I had to overcome being anxious and becoming more social in my business. Through struggle there is always growth, it’s just determined by how bad you want it. Thats the way of life, though.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am currently a Graphic Design for a marketing firm in east Tennessee. Along with photography I do graphics and videography. When it comes being creative I want to be well rounded so I combine my skills to be able to give me the best results for what I am able to create.
I am known for my graphics and photography as they work hand in hand. I do all my own photography and post production work. I even turn some of my photography into graphics. Through that I am to give clients and myself a different take on what photos could be. Being able to create from start finish has always brought me joy. It’s the final result that that drives me to continue growing in the areas I focus in.
I am most proud of the way God continues to use me to bring others visions to life and also having the eye to capture. I notice different opportunities all the time where ever I am and I have started to carry my camera everywhere I go because I never know what God will present to me.
What I think sets me apart from others is having the different skill sets that I do. Being a graphic design, photographer and videographer allows me to captures a single moment in various ways, from turning photos in to marketing strategies or dynamic graphics or even stunning video. I am able create a diverse profile for what a single moment can be represented as.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can reach me through my social medias. I am on Instagram, Facebook and more recently venturing to TikTok. My handle is @CresteCreations on all platforms. I can also be reached via email at CresteCreations@gmail.com. If folks want to book I have supplied a booking link in my biography on all my socials as well, that way they are able to set up a free consultation and we can discuss their visions.
If folks want to support, they can leave a review on google or even just share, comment, or like on my social media.
Pricing:
- Graphics- Starting price $80. It scales with the project size.
- Photoshoots start at $150 for 1 hour
- Events start at $250
- Portrait sessions start at $150
- I do run specials, so catch me when they drop!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://calendly.com/crestecreations/photo-shoot-consult
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crestecreations/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CresteCreations/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@crestecreations
