Meet Fredonja Anderson | Photographer and Graphic Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Fredonja Anderson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Fredonja, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Fredonja’s Touch didn’t start initially as a business idea. It began with doing an alternative option to drawing. As I got older into my adult living; drawing became more of a struggle to do than the escape from world it use to bring. When I would try to pick up the pencil to draw; my hand was too shaky, I couldn’t concentrate, or I just didn’t have the free time like I used to. So I gave it up. After I graduated college; I started to have that “Artist Itch”; that craving feeling you get when you wanted to create something. However, I knew going back to drawing wasn’t the answer. Transitioning my creativity digitally was it. God was using my wife during this process. She taught me the basics of photoshop and surprised me with my first Canon Rebel T3 camera for my birthday. I took this and ran with it…God, YouTube tutorials, practice, close family and friends brought me to the next level. But, if I can be honest; the 100% business mindset wasn’t there yet. I still had the hobby mindset with just getting paid on the side. Here I was talented in this new world I worked extremely hard to be in; but the true fruit of the labor was still missing. A part of me was okay with that. I was okay offering cheap to even free services; because it was something I love doing anyway. It bought that escape from the world again. The moment that made me change and be 100% in was when my close family and friends started paying me market value. They would get seriously offended with my low offers. Allowing strangers to pay cheaper than my actually supporters didn’t make sense to me. So I went up another level; upgraded my equipment and raise my product quality. The true business had began.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve learned to celebrate each step of success. I love looking through my beginning work and see how far I have come. The growth is amazing! This alone has taught me and should encourage others that everyone has a beginning; please stick to the developing process and keep stepping forward. A lot of unsuccessful dreams end too early because of their beginning. Your beginning is not your future. What you see is an humble man striving to get better at his craft every single opportunity he gets. Surround yourself by people that truly supports you. That’s the strength you may need to get pass the discouraging days. I don’t see myself as the other photographers or graphic designers; Artists are here to show the world a different perspective. If everyone saw something the same way; the world would be boring. My purpose in my graphics or photographs of you is to encourage you, uplift you and build what was already created in you!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The Denton area is a constant growing city! It has change for the better since I came here for college in 2005. It started off as small college town. Someone new to the area will definitely have to make a trip to The Denton Square to tour the historical buildings. There are so many options to eat at… if it’s dessert; there is Beth Marie for ice cream. I’m a seafood lover; so I love The Catch for some fried catfish or shrimp. You just tell me what you want to do; I’m pretty confident we are nearby it.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I love to shout out God first for really giving me this gift and pushing me when I didn’t see it in my self. He’s my creator and enabler! My wife; Phylicia Anderson! I wouldn’t be here if it wouldn’t be for her. All of the practice photoshoots and asking for here advice. It takes a special someone to believe fully in what you do. She’s been that and more! My Pastor and First Lady who I call Mom and Dad. Another group of people who saw the gift in me and pushed and supported me 100% in. My close brothers, Vic and Dwight; they give me real advice and encouragement when there was times I wanted to give up. So many others; all those who allow me to photograph them even when the product wasn’t good. Thank you!!

Website: www.fredonjastouch.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/fredonjas_touch

Twitter: www.twitter.com/fredonjastouch

Facebook: www.facebook.com/FredonjasTouch

Other: Email: fredonjaphoto@gmail.com www.tiktok.com/fred_done

Image Credits
Fredonja’s Touch