Meet Aaron Hall | Photographer and Film Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aaron Hall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aaron, what’s your definition for success?
My purpose for creating visual art whether it is photography or film making is to tell the story of the subject in an engaging way. When you strive to be the best that you can be at accomplishing your purpose, that is how you obtain success to me. Your ability and skillset to accomplish your purpose combined with how expansive your vision can encapsulate others dictates the level of success you can achieve. I push myself to advance my technical abilities and how I can teach it to others so that I can tell greater and grander stories of my subjects. My ability to connect with others is a part of my purpose. Measure your success by understanding and challenging your own abilities to the very limit. That is more important than scaling your success to money.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The hardest part of being a creative is being consistent and focused on accomplishing a goal. It takes grit, talent and resilience to become successful in the creative world. There was a time I had lost everything and I was living out my car with a Canon T5i Rebel camera, a Godox AD600BM (off-camera flash) and an Canon 18-55mm lens and I had to regain everything I had lost back. It is important that when you lose, you learn to fail correctly. Forget about what you lost, and focus on what you have to gain. I know its hard to do, but you have to push through and allow your purpose to pull you out. It takes a lot of risk and discipline, but if you can survive it, you will come out stronger than when you went in. You have to be able to accept criticism. I don’t care if its what you want to hear or not, just listen. Don’t get emotional, just listen. Know that you don’t have to act upon everything that you hear. Decipher between subjective and constructive and figure out what people are trying to say to you.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First place would definitely be Balboa Park at the Japanese Friendship Garden. I love the colors and unique architecture within it. Then we’d tour the Veterans Museum and then head over to 6 Grados Coffee. We’d go to the museum so that I can show him the history that relates to my retirement. I did a lot of hard work to retire out the military and I would want him to see the history that we as veterans went through. 6 Grados Coffee Shop; Its so beautiful inside there and has a warm and cozy atmosphere. It is an an amazing place to go and get a cup of joe. For dinner we’d definitely have to hit up a 5 Guys. I love the way they cook their burgers and fries.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Without my mother, Lois Redmond, this story; my story wouldn’t be possible. She gave me the inspiration to keep pursuing my dreams. My father, William D. Harden, helped me to garner the aptitude to learn and understand my craft of visual art. My cousin, Artiss Redmond, you have been there for me at my lowest point in life and you helped me in the best way possible. Thank you for just being there for me. Thank you for being a mentor to me. Thank you for having a purpose outside yourself and helping others. What you are doing with R and R Surf is going to be amazing for the Black Community as well as other ethnic groups in San Diego. Thank you for allowing me to help you make history as the first Black owned waterfront business in the city! I love you and will always be there for you. You have my loyalty until the end family!
I would also like to thank the “Portraits and OCF” Facebook group. The level of criticism that I received from that group helped me to refine my technique and processing of imagery.

Website: www.go2pix.com

Instagram: www.instagram.come/go2pix

Facebook: www.facebook.com/go2pixllc