Local Veteran Turned Photographer Making Impact In Community

CHARLOTTE, NC —  This Veteran’s Day, as we honor and remember the men and women who have served our country, a local veteran is making an impact in Charlotte. 

Kevin Douglas served in the Air Force and is now a photographer for Duke Energy, a company that has spent millions of dollars working with veteran businesses. 

His service doesn’t stop there — now he’s also giving back to fellow veterans. 

Kevin Douglas sees life through a different lens. 

“I’ve shot Oprah. I’ve shot entertainers. I’ve shot CEO’s. I travel up and down the east coast,” Kevin Douglas said. 

As a self taught photographer his portfolio is diverse – from Oprah to CEO’s, to corporations like Duke Energy. 

Before he was a photographer he spent 9 years serving our country in the Air Force working on aircraft flight systems – he then took his skills to NASA. 

“My time there allowed me to develop a sense of discipline and gave me a broader sense of the world,” Douglas said. 

He said his time in the military changed his perspective and it also made him want to give back. 

“Now that I look back and the things that I’m going through and I see other veterans, the thing that disturbs me the most but I’m encouraged by is how can we help other veterans that are maybe not as fortunate,” Douglas said. 

You’ll often find him in his studio in Uptown where he runs Society 229 and manages an art gallery.

 It’s also the home of his nonprofit where he provides educational resources to veterans and youth. 

“My wife and I and our foundation have an event that we call Jazz on Vets where we work with veterans to try and get them access to resources,” Douglas said. 

It also gives veterans and the youth a chance to look forward to future success. 

“If you have integrity in what you do and you work hard then everything is possible,” Douglas said.