What Makes Us Different?
Not many real estate photographers worldwide can boast of campaigns like Jay-Z’s Hard Knock Tour or Dr. Dre and Snoop Dog’s Up in Smoke Tour on their resume. What I've gleaned from these moguls, and what I've imparted to my team, is the essence of brand building as the lifeblood of any business. A brand must resonate with empathy and contribute meaningfully to society. At our core, we infuse every project with passion, setting us apart in the industry. That's our difference!!
About Us
Born in Bristol, England, in 1974, I migrated to America with my parents in 1981. Twenty-eight years ago, while sitting in a college classroom, I found myself wondering, "Why the hell am I studying to become an orthopedic surgeon?" That moment sparked a pivotal decision. I called my parents to express my desire to pursue a career in writing movie scripts, a passion nurtured during Super Nintendo sessions with a college buddy where we’d often fantasize about giving Oscar acceptance speeches for our imagined films. To my surprise, my parents supported the change—albeit with the condition to "never come home."
Soon after, a chance meeting with a producer at MTV opened a door. He gave me an opportunity to write for the network, and though my early scripts were met with critique, perseverance paid off. I later landed roles at Warner Bros, working on the Gerald Levert project, and at American Recordings, collaborating with Chino XL.
My time at The Source Magazine was a major stepping stone. It led to involvement in the 'DEF JAM 2000' campaign and a role as an assistant Sound Engineer, working alongside influential figures like Jeff 2 Times, JB (Rest In Peace), Mario, and Kenny in the Hip Hop scene.
When I transitioned to corporate, a job at Clear Channel in Boston's 94.5FM revealed that I could create my own path. I took a leap of faith and launched www.bobbyshakes.com, which quickly became a pivotal site for reggae music. Leveraging marketing insights I’d gained from The Source and my street team experience, I helped shape the site into a dominant force, providing content for platforms like Facebook and Myspace. We were ahead of the curve—streaming video by 2000 and hosting a social network before many others.
Despite my family’s early reservations about my journey in the entertainment industry, I followed my passion. Although my mother envisioned a real estate career for me, I always found myself drawn back to reggae. However, fate intervened again, leading me into real estate photography. What began as a side opportunity has turned into a 15-year career, cultivating lasting relationships with local real estate brokers. My photography became more than just a business—it became an artistic expression.
Today, I’ve transitioned from Bobby Shakes, the music industry photographer, to the driving force behind Sell The Listing, a thriving real estate platform. Through it all, my deep love for reggae music remains central. I continue to celebrate the culture through Chat Bout Reggae Blog, and I'm working hard to bring www.shakesislive.com back to its former glory.