How did you get into photography/videography? 

Well it actually started when I brought my younger brother his first camera (@uneeqpvrcxption check his work out 🔥). I would go with him on shoots and I realized I had ideas of my own and figured it’s not my place to tell him how to take photos because he had his own style and i basically felt like I can do that myself.

What did you first use to take photos?

I started taking shots with a canon t5 rebel, I brought it from one of my friend that happened to be selling it because he didn’t use it much. Now I’ve upgraded to a canon 6D mark ii (Canon squad 🙌 🙌).

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

To be honest I have never stepped into any classroom for any photography sessions eventually I will though,because there’s always something to learn and ways to improve. For now it’s been self taught, trial and error and tips from other photographers who genuinely want to help!

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

I have a few but I’ll keep that for those close to me 😂. For now I go by Vern short for my full name Vernal.

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

If I could I would like to do a black and white series of: Barack Obama (Not for political reasons), Jay-z and Will Smith.

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

If I could I would like to take photos of: Frida Kahlo, Prince and Maya Angelou

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

I really love to travel, just recently went to Italy check it out on my ig page beautiful place! The cities would have to be: Havana Cuba, Cairo Egypt and Ubud Bali.

What is your goal when you capture photos of someone?

Whenever I get someone in front of my lens my goal is to capture their essence, their true feelings along with their beauty. That goes for whenever I’m shooting it doesn’t matter the theme of my shoot!

What music do you listen to when you edit photos?

When I’m editing I have a range from rap( J.cole) to indie rock (Florence and the machine) sets the mood for my edits.

What's your favorite app on your phone?

That would have to be my Lightroom app simply because I’m able to edit on the go with some photos and how it can be synced to my iPad and my Laptop so if I start an edit I can essentially finish it anywhere!

What is your dream as a photographer?

As a photographer I would really love to have a studio of my own and build a brand that’s targeted to helping other photographers to reach their full potential. I’ve actually started the ladder with a brand called Photo Phaction. It’s centered on being a community of creatives that have events to offer free shoots to help photographers and models build their portfolios and expand their business ventures. So I’m still working on these two goals.

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

I would tell them: if you have a desire to be in this field don’t do it for the money it will definitely show in your work and Work ethics. Also don’t be closed minded to constructive criticism because there’s always something you can learn from someone in this field, yet stay away from people who ALWAYS try to downplay your work or doesn’t provide real support. Remember we all have/had to start somewhere!

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

I’m mainly on Instagram here are my pages: @diversion_photography , @Photophaction , @Vern_2_light

My website is a link in my bio on my ig page @diversion_photography