About Me
Hello!
My Name is Preston Potra. I was born in Georgia and have lived there for most of my life. Currently, I am a Senior at Liberty University, pursuing an Interdisciplinary Studies degree; my two areas of study are Business and Cinematic Arts.
Where It All Started…
Photography started for me as a hobby and quickly grew into a passion. It began with pictures of scenery and landscapes at the park near my house. The idea of capturing the world with a unique perspective through a lens of creativity captivated me as I learned more about the world of photography.
I began to shoot more, doing odd job photoshoots for friends or family friends. I also began to shoot photos for my school, providing content for the yearbook team and other events. From there, photography was like a snowball, gaining more momentum, with me gaining more experience and gradually turning photography from a passion into a side job.
The Man Who Taught Me Everything…
Photography is a challenging hobby to pick up and learn, especially on your own. Jim Lacey was a photographer for my high school who also taught a photography class. I saw him taking pictures one day at a drama dress rehearsal and decided to ask him for some advice on photography; it was at this point that I bought my first camera but was struggling to use it well. Mr. Lacey began to teach me about the art of photography through events that we shot together and through tips along the way. Almost everything I know about photography, I credit to him and his genuine patience in helping me understand the concepts he was teaching. A talented photographer, a patient teacher, and a good friend, Mr. Lacey is an admirable man that is rare to come by in the world today.
My Inspiration
Peter McKinnon is one of the most talented photographers and videographers I have ever known. I grew up watching his YouTube videos even before I ever had a passion for photography. However, my interest in photography and videography began to grow through watching his videos and experiencing Peter’s adventures through his powerful, visual storytelling abilities.
Pine Cove
I have worked three summers at Pine Cove; two as a Media Content Creator and one as the Head of Media. This position involved taking pictures throughout the day of campers and activities, editing the photos, and uploading them to a gallery on an app for parents to view, and posting to social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) daily. However, this was not just another summer job. The experience I gained, and the friends I met were far more valuable than any other job I could have worked at.
Why Splash Media?
When this business was in the idea stages of planning, one of the original dilemmas was creating a name. Originally, I thought I would end up using my last name as a part of the company name, but I wanted something unique. I was currently working as an MCC at Pine Cove when the idea popped into my mind. My camp name at Pine Cove was Splash and I was a media guy, so why not put them together? The name Splash Media was born. After consulting several advisors in my life for guidance on the name, the idea was solidified, and several weeks later, Splash Media LLC was formed.