Feature Friday: Double Stomp Productions

Happy Friday! I’ll be in the Atlanta airport when this post gets posted, but as you can see I was a good little blogger. I got it scheduled before I took off this morning, and I’m so happy I did because today I’m featuring a good friend of mine, Double Stomp Productions! If you haven’t seen his work before you’re in for a real treat. Back when I was a baby cosplayer who had no idea what she was doing he took the very first photo of me in cosplay ever! Make sure to keep reading because he has a very unique style of photography, and he is graced with a true gift. Follow him on all his social media links below when you get the chance too!

What is your photography name? Double Stomp Productions

What is your name? Willie Brown

What do you do when you do when you aren’t behind the lens? Web Developer at Cyber Solutions Digital Marketing

How old are you? 35

When did you first decide to become a photographer? I had gotten my first DSLR on Black Friday of 2011.  I played around with taking photos and so forth for a little bit.  But then I went to Ichibancon 2013, and did my first shoot with my good friend Brittany Bryant AKA Thel Phenom Cosplay (Check out last week’s Feature!).  So 2013 is when I dived fully into cosplay photography.

What made you want to be a photographer? I really enjoyed doing portraits with many different people getting different ideas and poses and just capturing epic moments.  And doing my first few shoots with Brittany and others, this is what made me want to be a photographer.

Tell us about your photography style. I like to consider my style more edgy and grimy.  Sure I try to get a few pretty shots, but I want to make my photos more epic.  Getting those fierce moments, battle scenes, etc.

What is your weapon/camera of choice? I started off using a Canon T3i.  As of now, I have upgraded to a Canon 6D using my 50mm lens (AKA Nifty Fifty), and an 85mm USM lens.  Sometimes I’ll use my Tamron 28-75mm from when I used to shoot at conventions.

What is your favorite cosplay photograph you have taken? Explain. I would have to say my favorite cosplay photograph at this moment would have to be the Hadouken photo I took with Dat Tran AKA Dat “Manly” Cosplay as Evil Ryu.  Reason I liked it is because it was when I would meet my now best friend.  It was also when I first dabbled in special effects with my photos.  It’s just one of those shots that I’ll never forget and still love to this day. 

What is your favorite convention from the perspective of a photographer? When I did shoot at conventions, I would definitely say Anime Weekend Atlanta.  Always a lot of good cosplays to shoot there, and if you’re new to doing photoshoots at conventions, there are a lot of great areas to shoot at.  Definitely my favorite con to shoot at.

What is your favorite convention as an attendee? As an attendee, I have got to say MagFest!  Everything about MagFest is amazing!  You don’t have to dress up, there is a lot to do from arcades to concerts to panels, etc.  Well worth the money plus if you don’t get to attend, you can view it as they stream it on Twitch.  But I HIGHLY recommend going to this convention.  

What is your dream cosplay photoshoot? I have a lot of dream cosplay photoshoots, so I’ll just name a few.  Note, I DO NOT want to shoot these at a convention due to the fact I want to get the absolute most out of these shoots.

• Red Lantern Supergirl and Bleeze
• Devil Jin from Tekken 6
• Kazumi Mishima from Tekken 7
• Howarang from Tekken 6
• Akuma from Street Fighter

What is your favorite photograph (doesn’t have to be cosplay) you have ever taken? Explain. My favorite photo that I have ever taken has to be one that I shot with my good friend Stephanie Schnader AKA Spooky Beauty .  I have been dabbling in the world of beauty and fashion photography, and there have been a lot of great shots that I’ve taken.  But one in particular that we took together was the first time we ever got to do a shoot together outside of cosplay.  This photo in particular is what made me decide to slowly transition into taking a different route with my photography and I’ve been in love with doing it ever since. 

What is your biggest challenge as a photographer? My biggest challenge as a photographer is not comparing myself to others.  For so long, I’ve compared myself to others in every thing in my life, thus thinking I’m never good enough.  Now I’m making it a point to not try to be better than someone else, but always try to outdo myself.  If I focus on how I do things and not how many people like my work or if I’m more popular than another photog and what not, I feel like I can succeed.  You need to be your only obstacle in growing in life.  Nobody or nothing else.

Tell us about a situation that could have been a disaster, but somehow you still got great photos out of it. I would have to say the biggest disaster I’ve run across was doing photos at Ichibancon 2014.  This was the first convention I attended and had booked shoots for that got rained out.  The entire weekend was almost ruined, but this is where I came up with the term “Make it happen…make it work…THAT’S WHAT WE DO!”.  And basically, I learned to shoot inside from that moment on and got some of the best photos I had taken that year.  At that point, that was my favorite convention I had attended.

Who are the biggest inspirations/influencers in your photography? Damn, I have a lot of influences in my photography.  But right now, I’d have to say my biggest influences are Sarah Starrette AKA Starrette Photography, Solita DelaCruz AKA Solita DelaCruz Photography, and Jayce Williams AKA PhotosNXS.  They have always inspired me to keep growing in my craft and I love seeing their positivity and their work each time they put it out there!

What is the best advice you have for models as a photographer? Hmmm.  Honestly, my best advice for models is don’t be afraid to tell a photographer what you’re comfortable and not comfortable with.  I know many people that will take a photo that they didn’t feel comfortable taking at all with a photographer because they wouldn’t say anything and then talk junk about them behind their back.  And I know those that won’t let a photographer know what they’re comfortable with, thus making it awkward for a photographer to pose them.  So yeah, don’t be afraid to let the photographer know what you’re comfortable with from the beginning.  And if you’re not comfortable to take a certain shot, don’t let them pressure you into doing it.  

What is the best advice you have for aspiring photographers? For photographers, I’d say don’t judge your work based on someone else’s work.  Come up with your own style.  Focus on you and growing you and find out what you do best.  Not everyone’s style can be the same.  If you like to shoot natural light, shoot natural light.  If you like to uses flashes and strobes, then use it.  If you like shooting in a studio, shoot in a studio.  If you do better with post production, etc.  Come with your own style and focus on growing you.  Don’t compare yourself to someone else.  And don’t let the community burn you out.  Learn to make time for yourself and continue to enjoy what you do.

Also, today is Friday the 13th. What is the spookiest photo you’ve ever taken? The spookiest photo I’ve ever taken…., there are actually 2 and both were at Ichibancon’s.  The first one was from Ichibancon 2015 when I shot with Terrence, Tiffany AKA Tiffany Dawn Cosplay and Stephanie AKA Spooky Beauty.  They were doing a Five Nights at Freddy’s shoot and I was able to capture a real creepy photo of them in the stairwell.  And the second creepiest photo would have to be with Allie Blackmon AKA Donttouchmymilk Cosplay as she did Scissor Walker from Nightcry at Ichibancon 2016.  Definitely one of the darkest and creepiest cosplays I’ve ever gotten to shoot.

Anything else you’d like to add? I have really enjoyed being a cosplay photographer for many years.  Though I’m not shooting at conventions anymore due to almost being burnt out, I am always wanting to do on location photoshoots to get more out of your cosplay.  If you’re ever intersted in shooting with me, please feel free to e-mail me at willie@doublestompproductions.com to schedule your shoot!  I thank you all for all of the support over the years, and I can’t wait to produce more content for you all in the very near future!  

Thank you all again for your love and support and definitely looking forward to bringing you more greatness!  I love you all!

Didn’t some of his photographs just give you chills? Do you have any comments for Willie or myself? Leave a comment below for us, or reach out to him at his social media links below. He also has a sweet store where you can help support him as an artist. As always, Don’t forget to subscribe via email or Bloglovin‘ to never miss a post!

Double Stomp Productions’ Social Media:
Cosplay Facebook: Double Stomp Productions
Modeling Facebook: Willie Brown Photography
Instagram: @doublestompproductions
Twitter: @DSPWillieBrown
Twitch: DSPWillie
Website: doublestompproductions.com
Online Store: Shop Double Stomp