Today we’d like to introduce you to Demarcus Fry.
Hi Demarcus, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey into media started back in sixth grade, when I attended a summer program that offered various electives. One of those electives was film and video, and I was instantly hooked. We learned how to operate a camcorder, practiced technical filming techniques, understood the terminology, and even touched on editing. That summer opened up a whole new world to me, and I knew I wanted to be a cinematographer. I chose the same elective every summer throughout middle school because I loved it so much.
By eighth grade, I had my own camcorder—my Christmas gift that year. I recorded everything: my sister pretending to star in music videos, hair blowing dramatically in the fan; my siblings just living their everyday lives. Before vlogging was even a thing, I was following people around with a camera, capturing moments and creating little productions. I wish I still had those old tapes.
When I got to college, I took an elective course in Photoshop. I knew nothing about it at first, but I quickly learned the basics and began putting them to use. I joined several organizations, and one of my responsibilities became creating flyers for events and programs. This was before templates were easily available, so I’d spend hours searching the internet for free images to use. I often thought, If I had my own camera, I could take exactly the photos I need.
After graduating college and moving to Orlando for my first full-time job, I started casually taking photos around the city with my iPhone—buildings downtown, people in the park, little slices of everyday life. A few months later, I bought my first DSLR, a Nikon, and began taking things more seriously. By 2015, social media was buzzing with the idea of curated, high-quality images, and people wanted to look good online. I started photographing people just for fun, until members of my church began asking, “How much do you charge?” At first, I didn’t—I didn’t even see it as a business.
That changed when I began reaching out to photographers on social media to ask if I could shadow them. Many said yes, and those experiences connected me to others in the industry who taught me a great deal. I started shooting both photos and video, but I quickly learned that video required a different level of equipment and much more time in editing. Still, I pursued both, learning and investing in gear along the way.
In June 2019, I officially established KIMECO Productions after years of doing small gigs and learning how to operate as a business. All the while, I was working full-time in education—serving as a teacher, dean, career coach, and eventually assistant principal. Balancing a demanding career with building a business wasn’t easy. There were incredible opportunities I had to turn down simply because I couldn’t give them the attention they deserved.
Over the years, I’ve photographed and filmed weddings, branding sessions, sports, and corporate events, always striving to create intentional, high-quality experiences for my clients. In 2025, I took the leap and committed to running my photography, videography, and media business full-time. While I’m no longer teaching in a traditional classroom, I’ve continued my passion for education through a mentorship program for aspiring photographers and videographers.
Looking back, I realize much of my journey has been about learning the hard way so I can teach others—because I still love helping people grow. Every skill, challenge, and breakthrough I’ve experienced has shaped the way I capture stories today.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Balancing a full-time career in education while trying to build a photography and videography business was one of my biggest challenges. I was working as a teacher, dean, career coach, and eventually an assistant principal—all roles that required my full energy and focus. That meant my business often had to take a back seat, and I missed out on opportunities simply because I couldn’t commit the time or resources.
When I first started, I also didn’t know much about running a business. I had to figure out contracts, pricing, client management, and marketing—often learning through trial and error. There were moments when I undercharged, took on projects that weren’t the right fit, or worked far more hours than I billed for. On top of that, learning both photography and videography simultaneously was expensive and time-consuming. Video editing, in particular, was a steep learning curve.
Another challenge was consistency. Because my schedule in education was so demanding, I’d go through periods of heavy client work and then stretches where I couldn’t take on anything at all. That stop-and-go pattern made it hard to build steady momentum. And like many creatives, there were times when I questioned my abilities—comparing myself to others, wondering if I was good enough, and battling imposter syndrome.
Still, those struggles shaped me. They taught me how to manage my time, value my work, invest in the right tools, and—most importantly—keep going even when it felt slow. Now, going full-time in 2025, I’m able to give my business the focus it needs, and every lesson learned along the way has prepared me for this season.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
One thing I’m most proud of is the reputation I’ve built for client care. My background in education taught me how to communicate clearly, manage details, and remain calm under pressure. Those skills transfer directly into my work. Whether it’s a wedding day with hundreds of moving parts or a fast-paced corporate shoot, clients know they can trust me to show up prepared, keep things on track, and still capture moments beautifully.
What sets me apart is that I approach every project with both the heart of a creative and the mindset of a leader. I believe professionalism isn’t just about being on time. It’s about being proactive, anticipating needs before they arise, and making the entire process feel effortless for my clients. Many have told me they chose to work with me not just for my portfolio, but because they felt they could relax knowing I would handle every detail with care.
Ultimately, my goal is to make every client feel seen, valued, and confident in their investment because great photography and videography is about more than just the final product; it’s about the experience from start to finish.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was a good kid who cared deeply about making my parents proud. Most of my teachers liked having me in class, often saying I was charismatic and always willing to help my classmates. My peers liked me too. I had a calm, even disposition, enjoyed spending time with friends, and was friendly and respectful to everyone—whether they were the “geeks,” “popular kids,” “bullies,” or anyone in between. I rarely got in trouble at home, aside from the occasional messy room.
From an early age, I had a vision for my life. I wanted to be wealthy—not just in finances, but in love, health, family, and faith. I played sports like football, baseball, wrestling, and swimming, but never pursued them seriously because I didn’t think I was the best. My summers were spent playing outside all day and into the night with friends, and for a while, I was also an avid video game player until high school. As the youngest of my siblings, I saw firsthand the financial challenges our family faced. Outside of a short period when my mom was earning well, we struggled. We relied on food stamps, got food from the church, and sometimes barely managed to cover rent.
When I was old enough, I took the first job available through a city of Cleveland program for teens. That paycheck meant I could buy my own school clothes and supplies. During the school year, I rode the light rail all over the city looking for work until one day, the general manager at Wendy’s hired me on the spot after a short conversation. She looked at me and said, “I like you, young man.” That moment stuck with me—it was the first time I realized that who you are can open doors before you even show what you can do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kimecoproductions.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimecoproductions?igsh=MXQ5ZWtvdDVwNm4xcw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimecoproductions/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kimecoproductions5524
Image Credits
Demarcus Fry
