Check Out Joseph McKinney’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph McKinney. 

Hi Joseph, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
As a photographer, it all started in 2015. One of my close friends heard I loved photography, but I only used a point-and-shoot, and she wanted to help me out, and they gifted me my first DSLR. From that moment on, everything was high speed, like my shutter speed. I suffer from ADHD, and one of the symptoms of that is hyper fixation. I was obsessed, I could never draw or show people my art but with this camera now I could. I could finally share art through my eyes. 

Professionally I started out in paintball and anime conventions since I was already really active in those scenes it was easy to get into. I was booking shoots and traveling all over the Midwest/Florida, shooting tournaments and portraits for people. But it wasn’t my full-time job. It was my escape, my way to do something I love, and a way to share my art with people. 

Most of my proudest work is actually donated. I work with nonprofits and donate a majority of my time to helping others. Including working with the Wildside rehabilitation and education center, which rehabs native Michigan species, Michigan Special Olympics, and Gamers Outreach Foundation. 

I’ve always had a Full-Time job, so I’ve never needed photography to pay for my bills; I used it to network, meet people, see incredible things (like hockey games and concerts), and just be able to travel and have fun. 

That’s when my full-time job took over, though, and I decided since I didn’t have a lot of free time, I would become a content creator/streamer. I would take every dollar I make from playing video games and use it to support nonprofit organizations. In less than 3 years, I raised over $10k for different charities. 

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?
I feel like anything worth doing is always worth working hard for; nothing has ever been easy. Proving myself, building a portfolio, networking, working basically a full-time hour for a career I just do for fun while also working full time to make a living to pay bills was never easy. 

People don’t realize just how much time, and effort goes into photography. Networking, posting, contacting clients, scheduling, going to shoots, travel, taking the photos, uploading, going through, editing, re-editing, distributing, and repeating for days at a time was always hard for me. I had lost the passion numerous times. 

The thing that helped me the most was giving myself a break, allowing myself to remember why I loved photography and content creation. Remembering that not everyone is going to love what you do, and that’s okay because the people that do will show you. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Let me put it simply. I’m a man of a million jobs. 

-Freelance photographer 

-Streamer 

-Content Creator 

-Social Media Manager 

-Professional Esports Caster 

-Podcast Host 

-Voice Actor 

I’m known for mostly my paintball photography. When I was doing that, I was one of the top photographers nationally but got away from it when I just lost interest in it and didn’t have the time to keep up with the demands. 

I am also known for my streaming and charity work. I am always trying to find ways to help others and give back to the community. Especially working with animals. 

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Nothing in this world is easy; no matter your passion, if you have drive then do it. Put everything you can into it. Don’t let anyone say you can’t just because you “Didn’t go to college” or “Everyone else is doing it; what makes you any different” stop you. There are always going to be haters out there, and to each and every one of those people, prove them wrong. 

Do all the research you can on your subject no matter what it is and learn everything you possibly can and just keep doing it, and even when you think you’re at your peak, then just keep going because the mountain is as high as you can climb and the view just keeps getting better and better the higher you go. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.realneptunemedia.org
• Instagram: instagram.com/realneptunemedia
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/therealneptunemedia
• Twitter: twitter.com/ZombiHugs_

Image Credits
Wildside Rehabilitation and Education Center
Sixtopher