EP 47: from high school shoots to social media stardom: preston luke’s journey
Hello again! Today we chat with Preston Luke, a talented photographer and content creator, about his remarkable journey from picking up a camera in 2016 to amassing over 700,000 followers on Instagram. Preston offers insights into his disciplined content creation process, working with brands, and maintaining consistency. He also shares about his new studio space, which is now open for bookings! Tune in for inspiration on building a successful online presence and get the scoop on Preston’s latest ventures. Thank you for joining us in another episode of Summer School :)
About Preston:
Meet Preston Luke, photographer, content creator, educator, industry bestie. Preston has made a name for himself in the photography world through his posing and behind the scene videos shared to social media. He had grossed over a million followers on Instagram and TikTok combined in less than a year. Besides that, he values education and building relationships with other photographers and sharing his knowledge with others. Preston has pivoted to working with many brands as a content creator. Brands he has/is signed with are Adobe Photoshop, Nikon Usa, Sandisk, Aftershoot, and more.
Meeting Preston at Nikon Camp
Preston and I met at Nikon Camp. Among just a handful of portrait photographers, Preston’s charisma and genuine love for capturing moments made him a fast favorite. It was an incredible experience, and he is such in inspirational human. I was stoked when he accepted my invite to join me on the pod!
From Humble Beginnings to Engaging Audiences
Preston’s journey started in 2016, right after he graduated from high school. Like many, he picked up a camera to help pay for college, without truly knowing where it would lead him. His early work was primarily senior portraits, and he quickly became well-known in his community for his creative and impactful photography.
Over the years, Preston honed his skills and built a reputation, sometimes receiving hundreds of applications from high school seniors for photo sessions. To manage the high demand, he even instituted an application process, showcasing just how far he had come.
A Viral Sensation: TikTok and Instagram Stardom
The pivotal moment for Preston came in September 2023 when he began posting TikTok and Instagram Reels. His behind-the-scenes videos of photoshoots went viral, with one video amassing 100,000 views almost instantly. Another video, featuring poses for male seniors, reached an incredible 7 million views in just four days, skyrocketing his follower count from 21,000 to over 105,000 in a week. Within a year, he had grown to 720,000 followers.
This rapid growth transformed Preston’s career from focusing mainly on high school seniors to becoming a full-time content creator. His collaborations with brands further elevated his platform, allowing him to build a thriving community that resonates with his creative vision.
Navigating Brand Partnerships
Preston’s swift rise came with its own set of challenges. While brands quickly noticed his impact, it took a few months to secure substantial partnerships. With guidance from friends in the creative space, he learned to navigate pitches, set his worth, and understand the value of concepts like whitelisting—where brands use his content for their advertising.
Preston emphasizes the importance of transparency and collaboration in these business dealings, sharing that having a supportive network has been invaluable.
Keys to Social Media Success
For anyone looking to grow their online presence, Preston shared some valuable tips:
1. Be Consistent: Posting regularly is crucial. Preston posts at 8:50 am every morning, aligning with his audience's peak engagement times.
2. Quality Over Quantity: Focus on creating eye-catching hooks in the first three seconds of your video and use relevant hashtags to avoid oversaturation.
3. Engage with Your Audience: Interaction fosters community. Commenting on and engaging with your followers not only builds relationships but also catches the attention of brands.
4. Understand Trends, But Be Authentic: While trends can help visibility, Preston stresses the importance of original content. Using his own voice in videos makes his posts more relatable and authentic.
5. Adapt and Learn: Social media is ever-evolving. Understanding your analytics—like the best times to post and what content performs well—can refine your strategy.
Future Projects and Exciting New Ventures
Preston has embarked on a new venture with the launch of Slate Studios in Joplin, Missouri. This new studio offers photographers and content creators a versatile, blank canvas to experiment with.
The studio, offering high-quality backdrops from brands like Savage Universal, has officially opened. It's an exciting new chapter in Preston’s ever-evolving career.
Wrapping Up
Preston Luke’s journey from a high school photographer to a social media star and entrepreneur is a testament to the power of perseverance, creativity, and community. His story is not just about capturing beautiful portraits but also about navigating the evolving landscape of content creation with authenticity and passion.
For anyone who would like to follow his journey or check out Slate Studios, I’ll link those things below! As always, thank you for tuning in to Summer School :)
Find Preston Online:
Instagram: @iamprestonluke + @sl8studios
Connect with me:
Instagram: @summergrace.photo
Shop My Products:
