How did you get into photography/videography? 

My dad is a photographer and I always kind of been interested but never had my own equipment, so when he was upgrading his equipment I convinced him to let me give his old camera a try. I’m an artist I grew up drawing, painting, and for some reason I was always good at getting people to pay me for my work lol.

What did you first use to take photos?

I started out with an older entry level Nikon I got from my dad. Then my friend sold me a canon rebel that he found on the street. He tried to find the rightful owner but after a week or two he hit me up because he knew I was just getting my feet wet in this photography game.

Where did you go to school? Do you have any formal training/self taught?

I went to college in Worcester, MA. My interest in photography came years later. I take pride in learning from photographers that I’ve gotten to know throughout the years especially during the few years I lived in Chicago.

Do you have any nicknames?  How did you get that name? 

Some people call me “Church” cause I’m always dropping knowledge (or at least I think im dropping knowledge lol) so I started to say in “todd we trust” then I started to post youtube videos of me dropping knowledge lol and we called it “Churchoftodd” haha.

If you could take photos of any 3 people who would it be?

Barack Obama in street clothes, Yara Shahidi from blackish/Grownish, and Rocsi Diaz from 106 & park.

If you could take photos of any 3 people that are no longer living who would they be?

Andy Wharlhol or anyone that used to hangout in his New York Studio “The Factory”, Prince, and Jimi Hendrix

If you could take photos in any 3 cities what would they be?

New Orleans, Rio De Janeiro, and Cape Town, South Africa 

What is your goal when you capture photos of someone?

Honestly, my goal is to capture good/positive vibes. I have no idea why people want to be so serious all the time in their pics.. I want to see you laugh and smile. I want people to want to be where we were because they can feel the good vibes coming out of the photo.

What music do you listen to when you edit photos?

Redman Muddy Waters album, Any Classic Reggae, and Pink Floyd.

What's your favorite app on your phone?

Instagram for sure. I find comfort in the fact that there are so many people into what I’m into.

What is your dream as a photographer?

My dream is to be able to shoot what I want when I want to shoot it…..and obviously get paid for it, that’s always dope.

What is some advice you would give to someone with a dream to be a photographer/videographer?

I would say that photography is a beautiful thing, it makes you see the world in so many different ways but it will also rip your heart out at times. Every photographer has a moment where they think of quitting and when that happens the best thing to do is to pay more attention to your own work and less on other photographers work!

Where can people find you? (social media, website, etc)

You can find me on the Gram @churchoftodd or my website toddmkent.com