Meet Colin Harmon-Ulmer of CHU Photographs, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Colin Harmon-Ulmer.

Hi Colin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, my name is Colin Harmon-Ulmer! I graduated from Kent State University with a BFA in photography back in 2024. While managing my academic career, I was also managing my personal and professional career. I started photography when I was 17 years old and have honed my skills since then. Traveling to places such as Wyoming, Florida, and Alaska have opened me to many different cultures both in the natural and human world and I have had the privilege of learning many different genres of photography.

Since graduating Kent State University, I have been steadily growing my photography business into a one-stop media marketing agency for businesses in Columbus, OH. Notable businesses and non-profits I have worked with include but are not limited to: The National Kidney Foundation, Playbook Sports, Ronald McDonald House of Charities of Central Ohio, Mid-Ohio Food Collective, VARGO Solutions, “Ribbit!” Magazine, and the Grove City Chamber of Commerce. Through these experiences, I learned there is a gap in creating photo and video content and managing social media accounts. This is where I positioned myself as not just a creative freelancer, but a media partner that shoots photos, videos, AND generates a personalized content planner to help grow your business on a monthly basis.

The result of all this: finding work in unexpected (and exciting!) ways, continuing to soak up knowledge through networking events, paneled discussions, and meetings (because we should never stop being students!), and meeting tons of cool people. My hope with all of this is to eventually get to travel and grow my business in other cities, states, and even countries! Content creation, I have found, is a midpoint for all of my interests and I hope to continue diving into as many industries as possible to learn more about those interests and keep things fun.

-Colin Harmon-Ulmer (CHU Photographs, LLC)

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?
Definitely not! Right after graduating I struggled with where I wanted to take my photography degree. Freelancing seemed fun but unreliable when it came to cashflow and working with a business that doesn’t already have their photography/videography department or in-house media person was tough to find. I still haven’t fully developed what my future will look like but, for the time being, I figured out a happy medium of growing my own one-stop media partner business!

We’ve been impressed with CHU Photographs, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
CHU Photographs, LLC is my professional business entity on the photography side and I have a subcategory called “CHU” or “a Creative Hub, Unified” that focuses on social media strategy/planning. While I am still growing and finding my place in the industry here in Columbus, OH, I work as a park ranger at one of Columbus’ Metro Parks as well as working with different non-profits and businesses such as VARGO Solutions, Mid-Ohio Food Collective, The National Kidney Foundation, and currently the National Center for Urban Solutions.

What I like most about what I do is I get to dip my toes in many different bodies of water. One day I might be in the ocean working my park ranger and NCUS jobs which satisfies my love for nature and grassroots campaigning. Another day I may be in a river or pond working for and with my business doing website work and photo/video shoots. Each day respectively has its own level of controlled outcomes which helps me stay alert and adaptable. Each day I get to try something new or do research in my field which helps hone my photography/videography/social media marketing skills.

What sets me apart from my competitors is the mindset of not being confined into a box. I am always on the move hustling in different directions and learning as I go. I know I don’t know everything and I don’t try to hide it. the result of this is being able to relate to my guests and subjects on a level that a big corporation may not be able to nor have the time to. Going back to my one-stop media partner business “CHU”, I offer different levels of price packaging based on what type of content you need for your business. If you want to spice up your social profile with fun BTS videos, I’m there. If you need professional detailed photographs of a product for your website, I’m here. If you have all that but don’t have the time to post and prefer just a social media calendar, you know who to call. If you’re in need of all three services, I’m there for you month in and month out delivering high-demand content that actually shows results!

What were you like growing up?
I was a very crazy kid! Growing up, I loved being in nature and did not enjoy being in the confines of a building. I was a creative (and still am) at heart and wanted to be free in the world exploring. I drew animals, wrote cartoons, took photographs, read sociological, wildlife, and autobiographic books, created music, and played sports. Anything that gave me a chance to observe the world and people around me, I was doing. I am a natural thinker and creative so I studied a lot (not in the scholarly-type way. Math and History were not my strong suits, lol!) to understand my surroundings. One question that I always asked was “Why?”. My parents did not necessarily have the answer sometimes so I took to art to find the answers. Now, here I am still questioning, researching, and making art but through a more methodical lens that will hopefully lead me to a stable career.

Pricing:

• Photography Mini Session: $150
• Photography Standard Session: $250
• CHU “Starter” Content Package: $900
• CHU “Growth” Content Package: $1,600
• CHU “Partner” Content Package: $2,800

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chuphotographs.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chuphotographs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colin.harmonulmer/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-harmon-ulmer-6433a1204/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CHUPhotographs
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chu.photographs