Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Farrier
Hi Aaron, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Ten years ago, I walked away from my day job as a marketing manager for a luxury home builder to start my own business. The plan? Work with small businesses and just see where it took me. How I ended up in celebrity photography is a long story, but the short version? It all started with an email.
I reached out to Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton’s foundation, landed a gig, and that led to working with other pro athletes and their foundations. I used that work as a stepping stone to approach my childhood hero, NASCAR legend Sterling Marlin. Next thing I knew, I was his photographer and designer for his late model team in Columbia, TN. From there, I started working with more NASCAR drivers, teams, and publications, all while developing my own signature style of portraiture. I’ve always had a thing for dramatic photography, even in my early days—so I leaned into that when shooting portraits.
After three years in NASCAR, I realized the scene was just way too oversaturated with photographers. It felt like everyone was taking the same shots and competing for the same clients, and honestly, I’ve never been interested in taking a photo that just anyone can take. So, I set my sights on Hollywood. I felt like I had developed a shooting style that would translate well in the entertainment industry, so one client led to another, and before I knew it, I was a celebrity portrait photographer (I’m making it sound easy, it definitely wasn’t).
I still do design work for local small businesses and agencies, but celebrity portraiture and commercial photography have become my sweet spot. And honestly? I couldn’t be happier or more grateful for where this journey has taken me.
I’m still early on in my career as far as celebrity photography goes, only a few years in, so I’m just getting warmed up and every day look forward to what the future will bring me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Was it a smooth road? I live in Ohio, smooth roads don’t exist here. They’re ALWAYS under construction! And honestly, that’s a pretty good metaphor for my journey. Nothing about this path has been easy, but I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s made me stronger. Some years have been amazing, full of big wins, and other years I’ve questioned EVERYTHING. But I just figure it out as I go.
Especially in Hollywood, I wasn’t exactly invited to play in this sandbox. I didn’t know the rules, didn’t have contacts, didn’t even have friends in the industry. But I didn’t let that stop me. It’s been a slow, steady climb, and I learned early on that this business is a marathon, not a sprint. So when things slow down, I don’t sit around waiting for the next job, I use that time to work on my own marketing, update my website, or find some other way to keep things moving forward.
Now, a few years in, I’ve been lucky enough to build some incredible friendships with people who’ve guided me through this industry. A lot of my clients have become friends, real friends, who have invited me into their homes, but this time, as a guest. I’ve been on family vacations, sat around dinner tables, and even been an overnight houseguest on more than one occasion. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with gratitude just thinking about it.
And I think that’s a reflection of how I approach both my work and my life. My clients trust me, and that trust has turned into referrals, opportunities, and experiences I never could have imagined. You just have to believe it’s GOING to happen—don’t stress too much about HOW it’ll happen. Just be ready for when it does.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At this point, I think most people know me more for my celebrity portraiture than my design work, and I’m totally cool with that. I’ve developed a style of dramatic photography that really sets me apart, and a big part of that is my mobile studio. More often than not, I’m setting up right in a celebrity’s home or office, which makes for an interesting dynamic. I usually haven’t met them before the shoot, sometimes we’ve exchanged a few messages, but most of the time, I’m walking in as a total stranger. I remember chatting or texting with Jason Priestley, Terry Farrell, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan ahead of time, but that’s about it that I can remember.
So when I show up at their home, I have to be super aware that I’m in THEIR space. They don’t really know me—maybe just through a mutual contact—so I have to earn their trust and get a rhythm going fast. Funny enough, setting up my studio is usually the perfect icebreaker. It gives us something to talk about, and before they know it, we’re in the zone.
I’ve been lucky to work with an incredible mix of celebrities, and I’m really proud of the work we’ve done together. William Shatner, for example, was a game-changer for me. He wasn’t my first celebrity shoot, but he was the one that really put things in motion. The man knows his stuff, he even had a preferred lens he liked to be shot with (thankfully, I had it with me!). Those photos are still in use to this day. In fact, at the time of this interview, his profile photo is still one I took almost three years ago. He even emailed me a few weeks ago asking to use some shots for his autograph cards. I told him, “Sure, but only if you sign one for me.” Three days later, FedEx showed up with it. Haha!
That’s exactly what I aim for with my shoots, to create a variety of assets my clients can use in different ways, from branding partnerships to key art for movie posters. They have to represent and market themselves, and I help give them the tools to do that. I like to think of myself as their “secret weapon.”
Butch Walker is another great example. He’s used our work across the board, social media, posters, Spotify artwork, you name it. And that’s the goal. A great session doesn’t just produce a few nice shots, it gives my clients a whole arsenal of imagery they can use however they need.
I even take these principles and use them locally when I’m not on the road traveling, offering up the same style shoots, but in a more abbreviated fashion to keep the cost down and make it a tool any local entrepreneur can use.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I’m super dyslexic, so reading has always felt more like a chore than a pleasure. But my dad once recommended “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie, and—whoa—mind blown. That book completely changed the way I interact with people, both professionally and personally. I actually make a point to listen to it at least once a year just to refresh my mindset. Honestly, I think everyone should read or listen to it. It’ll change the way you communicate.
Another game-changer for me was “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss. He’s a former FBI hostage negotiator, and the way he breaks down negotiation and communication is next-level. I even took his MasterClass, which, speaking of, has become one of my go-to resources.
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever gotten actually came from actor Johnathon Schaech. We became great friends after working together, and after our first shoot, he told me, “You mainly work with actors, so talk to your clients like you’re a director, not a photographer.” That completely shifted how I approach my shoots. The second I got home from that trip, I jumped on MasterClass and started watching every course I could from actors and directors, just so I could learn to think and speak their language. It was a total game-changer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://aaronfarrier.com
- Instagram: @aaronfarrier
