SUCCESS STORY

Patrick Carey Moates:

A Journey from Childhood Adventures to Professional Photography

By Guillaume Jean Lefebvre

Patrick Carey Moates was born in Athens, TN, and grew up in a family with a rich history and deep ties to the American South, particularly in Rome, GA, and Opelika, AL. His last name carries a French origin, reflecting a diverse cultural heritage, but it was his grandfather’s work as a photojournalist and sports reporter that left a lasting impression on Patrick.

From a young age, Patrick was surrounded by creativity and exploration. Moving to Sheffield, AL, at the age of two and later to Chattanooga, TN, Patrick's childhood was filled with adventures that shaped his passions. A cross-country trip with his grandparents sparked his interest in photography when his grandfather, an experienced photographer, allowed him to experiment with cameras. This early exposure laid the groundwork for his lifelong fascination with capturing moments.

Patrick's love for photography was further nurtured during his time in the Boy Scouts, where he served as the troop historian. This role allowed him to document various trips to places like New Mexico and the Florida Keys, deepening his appreciation for storytelling through images.

Although Patrick's career initially took a different path—his first job out of college involved working for a manufacturing company where he created newsletters and photographed company events—his passion for photography never waned. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic, after the passing of his grandfather, that Patrick rediscovered his love for the craft. Inheriting his grandfather's old Nikon lenses, he decided to learn how to use them, marking a significant turning point in his life.

With a degree in communications and a minor in marketing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Patrick combined his professional skills with his creative passions. Together with his wife, he now runs a successful photography business specializing in bodybuilding, fashion, cosplay, and event photography. A key moment in their career was being asked to shoot the Chattanooga Fit Expo in 2022, a pivotal job that expanded their horizons.

Patrick's approach to photography is deeply personal. He believes that photographers are in the business of capturing memories—moments that people want to remember and cherish long after they’ve passed. His dedication to preserving these memories is evident in his work, whether at family events, competitions, or conventions.

One of Patrick’s proudest achievements is having his work published, a milestone for any photographer. His portfolio includes work from high-profile events like the Chattanooga Fit Expo and Chattanooga Comic Con, where he has had the opportunity to meet and work with celebrities and athletes.

Looking to the future, Patrick has ambitious goals. He dreams of shooting for high-end brands and publications like Sports Illustrated, with aspirations of one day being asked to capture the cover of their iconic swimsuit issue. Until then, he continues to focus on projects that showcase his unique vision and the talents of those he collaborates with.

Despite his success, Patrick remains humble, echoing the words of Muhammad Ali when considering how he wants to be remembered. He hopes to be seen as a great husband, a dedicated photographer, and someone who treated everyone with kindness and respect. Ultimately, he wants people to view his work as the product of a hard-working professional who is always excited about the next creative challenge.

BIOGRAPHY

1. Your photography business has evolved significantly over the years. Can you walk us through the process of building a brand in such a competitive industry? What were some of the pivotal decisions that contributed to your growth?

The best thing I have done for my photography was hiring a mentor. Nino Batista has been a fantastic teacher and a great friend. Every year, our business takes another step forward, and in the last two years, it has taken some pretty giant steps because of him. When I think of brands, I always think of cars because I'm a huge car guy. Dodge has historically never advertised the best gas mileage or the most comfortable cars. They want to be seen as the bad boys of the automotive industry and the brand of horsepower. I like to think we are unapologetically ourselves. Not everyone wants amazing cosplay photos, and not everyone is going to be a bodybuilder, but that's okay because we shine, and we can connect with those groups. We just want our brand to be inviting and, most importantly, seen.

2. You've worked across various photography genres, from bodybuilding to fashion and cosplay. How do you tailor your approach to each of these different types of shoots, and what unique challenges do they present?

Every person that wants photographs wants them to tell a story. They've either worked really hard on a physique or have a cosplay that means something to them because they connect with the character. We try to help them tell the story better than anyone else. With bodybuilding, we understand because my wife is a competitor. Sometimes, with cosplay, we don't know the character or can't really understand the connection, but it's always fun to see how passionate people are. We try to display the same level of passion in our work for them. We want their story to be told through the photographs and see them get shared and loved again and again.

3. Collaboration seems to be a key aspect of your work, especially with your wife. How do you manage the dynamics of working closely with a partner in both personal and professional settings, and what advantages does this partnership bring?

I always need someone to keep me grounded, and my wife does that for me. I can have outlandish ideas, and she helps me to reign them in a little so that they don't get overwhelming and never happen. She's very organized, so she is a great help in making sure our shoots run smoothly. For us, it's easy. I love photography, and she is a great practice manager.

Photographer: Patrick Moates, Rekall Photography
Models: Samantha Thomas - @sammie_kate98, Ashley Moates – @admoates, Lauren Thomas – @laurenthomas02
Makeup Artist: Grace Barth
Stylist: Tonya Phillips
Clothes: Retro Stage

4. Given your background in communications and marketing, how has this influenced your approach to photography, particularly in how you market and present your work to clients and the broader audience?

Knowing how to reach an audience and who to target is a huge help. I never want to be the person on social media offering half-off weddings or the cheapest sessions. I want people to see our work and connect with us like any other brand. People shop brands they like and can see themselves in, so we like to present our brand to the folks who we connect with and understand.

5. You mentioned that you aim to capture not just images but memories for your clients. Can you share a specific project or session where this philosophy was particularly impactful, and how it shaped the final outcome?

People want to remember certain moments in time or meeting certain people, and we always try to appreciate that even if we don't understand the impact, we capture it for them so they can remember it. We were doing some celebrity photos at a comic convention a couple of years ago, and this girl connected with this voice actor through his work. Usually, in these situations, it's snap and go, but in this case, the girl had made him a Christmas ornament based on his character and what it meant to her. We saw the celebrity start to break down, and they hugged. Instead of waiting for the photo op, I just started snapping photos of the exchange. I uploaded them and sent them to the girl's mother after the event, and she called me in tears. She had some of them framed and said they would remember the day so much more vividly because of the photos we shared.

6. Mentorship has played a role in your professional development, as seen with your relationship with Nino Batista. How important do you believe mentorship is in the creative industry, and how has it influenced your work and career decisions?

Honestly, I can't say enough about Nino. For a guy like that to take a call from someone like me who just wants to get to another level says a lot. He's full of wisdom, character, and perspective. I've also worked with another friend of his named Renee Robyn, and they've both taught me things I didn't even know I could do. This past year, I took some photos of some of our friends, and some of my wife, and when I was done, I looked at them and thought, "These are the kind of images other people take, not me." I really owe most, if not all, of that to them.

Maybe they aren't the style of everyone, but they have done a lot for me, and I'm really fortunate. I'd say for anyone that wants to go to another level or push their limits, a mentor is a great way to get there. Their wisdom is truly priceless, and they are all so eager to help people grow and create.

Interview

7. Balancing creativity with the business side of photography can be challenging. How do you ensure that your creative vision isn’t compromised while still running a successful and profitable business?

There are so many photographers out there that we try to have good relationships with people that do what we don't do. Maybe our style or our creative vision isn't right for everyone, and that is okay. We try to stay true to ourselves and bring some of our friends in on a conversation because they may be a better fit. That way, we aren't compromised, and the client's vision can be seen by someone they connect with better. Ultimately, it benefits all of us because the client doesn't have to get their photos redone, and we've done them a service in the process. Plus, we help out our friends.

8. Technology plays a significant role in modern photography. How have you adapted to changes in photographic technology, and how do you stay current with the latest tools and techniques to maintain a competitive edge?

You have to always be learning. There could be a new tool that comes out tomorrow that changes everything we do, so you have to be ready to adapt and learn. You can't sit back and say, "That will never last, no one wants that." We don't always have to rush to get the latest and greatest gear, but sometimes upgrades can prove very useful to us.

9. As someone who started in the corporate world before fully pursuing photography, what advice would you give to aspiring photographers who are considering making a similar career transition?

Do it! There's no reason not to. If it's something you're passionate about, buy the camera, take the leap of faith. If we hadn't done it, we would have missed out on some pretty great things and people in our lives.

10. Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals for your photography business? Are there any specific projects or genres you’re eager to explore that differ from your current work?

As far as specific projects, this is one I've been extremely excited about. Vintage fashion is a love of mine, and the Golden Era of Hollywood has always been intriguing. I can remember asking Lauren (pictured here) over a year ago if she would trust me because I thought she could fulfill this vision I had. Her husband agreed and said he thought she should try it out. She brought her cousin Sam, who we've worked with before and is a fantastic model, and I brought my smoking hot wife. What we put together was better than what I originally envisioned. It was a big undertaking, but it was a lot of fun to bring everyone together and see it through. It was definitely a memorable experience for everyone, so it will also be nice for a project I've put so much thought into and the efforts of everyone involved to get seen. Whatever the next project is, I'm surely going to involve them because they were great to work with.

Other goals? Well, being seen, I think, is the goal for all of us. We all want our work and creative vision to be seen and heard. For me, I'll know I've made it when Sports Illustrated calls and sends us to the Bahamas to shoot Shakira for the cover of the swimsuit issue. That is the ultimate goal for me. In reality, being on a cover, or in the pages of magazines like Éclair, is an honor for us. As a creative mind, you always want to see your vision take life, and you want to put it out so other people can see and appreciate it too. Long term, I would love it if you guys or Sports Illustrated picked us up as staff or freelance photographers, and we could spend our days traveling for you to shoot content. For now, we are happy to be where we are and excited to see how we grow the business next. Honestly, the goal this year was to get published, so being on the cover of Éclair is a huge stamp on that goal.