This founder borrowed $4,500 to book Wiz Khalifa at his college. Now He is a millionaire

Cameron Kirkland, CEO of Cam Kirk Studios, estimates that he has made more than $6 million from a photography studio business.

“Do you think Wiz Khalifa would come to Morehouse College to do a popup event?â€

In 2010, Cameron Kirkland sent that direct message to Khalifa’s booking agent on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter. Then a junior at HBCU, Kirkland had just discovered a passion for fashion and to gather fellow fashion lovers in one place, he sought out Khalifa to sell clothing on campus. As it turned out, Khalifa was on tour and Atlanta was the only place he wasn’t booked. So Kirkland’s request was upgraded to an actual performance.

A $4,500 payment later, Khalifa did. And “Cam Kirk”, the creator, began his journey to become a millionaire. “It’s about trusting your instincts and being open-minded,” says Kirkland Forbes.

Kirkland, CEO of Cam Kirk Studios, shares his story in ForbesTravel to ForbesBLK Summit, an editorial series leading up to the second annual ForbesBLK business conference in Atlanta on June 23-25. ForbesBLK will empower entrepreneurs like Kirkland who take distinctive approaches to business, thought leadership and economic problem solving.

In 2017, Kirkland, 35, opened a photography studio after noticing a gap in the market to capture content for young musicians and rising stars in Atlanta. Kirkland has since worked with notable artists including Future, Travis Scott, Megan Thee Stallion and producer Mike Will Made-It. Its 4,000-square-foot creative loft is also a favorite destination for clients including Atlantic Records and Nike.

Atlanta and hip-hop star Clifford “TI” Harris called Kirkland a “pioneer” for a generation of content creators looking to monetize their talent. “I showed a generation of hip-hop hopefuls that being a photographer-videographer can be just as profitable and fun as an entertainer,” says Harris. Forbes.

Kirkland, a former Forbes Under 30 Atlanta judge, estimates he’s made $6 million from his photography business. Income includes fees from his portfolio, studio sessions that range up to $260 an hour, and he makes money from renting out camera equipment. Kirkland also makes revenue from commercial collaborations with blue chip brands including Coca-Cola. Kirkland also started Collective Gallery, a photography agency that signs creatives and pays them $10,000 each. Collective Gallery benefits from percentage splits and management fees.

Over the past two years, Kirkland estimates the two businesses averaged $2.3 million. “I’ve made millions of dollars with my camera,” says Kirkland. “It’s amazing to see how open-minded people have been to the content.”

For those who take risks

Raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Kirkland is the younger of two sons of parents Robert Kirkland and Chris Bridges. His father was a master sergeant in the US Marines, serving two tours of duty in Iraq. His mother was a credit coach, whom Kirkland praised for taking risks.

“My mother’s side is the entrepreneurial side,” says Kirkland.

In 2007, Kirkland first moved to Atlanta to attend Morehouse College in pursuit of becoming a doctor. His parents paid his tuition; however, Kirkland still took out a $4,500 loan from Stafford Federal to book Khalifa. The money went directly to Morehouse, undercutting his parents’ tuition, which they awarded to their son.

The show sold out and generated about $15,000. However, considering hidden gig fees and venue expenses, “I didn’t do anything significant,” says Kirkland. Still, reminiscing about the journey — from sending DMs on Twitter to opening a studio to gigging — “made me feel like I was moving toward my purpose,” Kirkland says. “It made me discover my actual passion” as a creator.

Goldman Sachs estimates that the creator economy, made up of influencers, photographers and videographers who take advantage of social media platforms, will reach $480 billion by 2027. That’s up from $250 billion in 2023.

“The money is there,” Kirkland says. “Seeing the economy grow and seeing the amount of opportunity, wealth and money you can make from it — it’s honestly amazing.”

Capital gains: Watch the video to explore Kirkland’s entrepreneurial journey and learn how he started Cam Kirk Studios

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