Barriers of Entry
12/13/2025
Forty years ago, I could not have gotten this photograph. Not because Virginia International Raceway was farmland until 1998, but because getting the opportunity to enter the White dominated world of professional photography was a task or feat that rarely happen to a Young African American Kid aspiring to be a photographer. It was strange for me growing up. I did not know the racism that my parents faced isn't what I am able to tell you. It is just what I saw was lessened by tenfold compared to the racism they faced in their lives before my being born. I had been at other Road Course Raceways. I thought Raceway stood for Racism. I had been to Road America Raceway as a kid in the 1970's with Therone (Ronnie) Louis Frazier Sr. and Joseph (Plukie) Pelloquin. It was strange being given directions on how to get home and avoid racial problems. African Americans couldn't eat just anywhere once off the interstate. Even then it could be a problem. Folks 35 years ago I found a "Whites Only" water fountain in the deep south. Yes Sir, I can read. "Whites Only" restroom I had just walked out. I had to ask if the ladies could use the restroom because we are able to read. Troy Aikman and Brad Paisley stayed with me, and we asked for the women to be allowed to continue on home. I had to call Older Guys I knew from St. Louis, Missouri, USA area that could help with a Klu Klux Klan level problem. Wayne Haines and Dave Krupp were men I knew from being with Ronnie and Plukie. Brad Paisley and Troy Aikman's Daddy's had to be called to help get me out of the problem. That was one of the biggest "Barriers to Entry's." I am still alive so we can move on to the business of photography. I just needed it to be understood that it is still a big problem in the 1980's. When I was 35 years old I was in the Gulf Shores, Alabama area and was invited to a Red Clay Oval Track. I was there for about 2 hours waiting for it to be understood I was there and would watch a few races. I had to be gone by dark and escorted around. Some of the "Barriers" were coming down. That was around 20 years ago. I still haven't gotten that photograph.
I don't want you to think this is about race only or even Race Car Races. It is about changing the path of an industry and it's effects on the world of media. I spent time with Paul Newman (The Actor) at most of the Raceways that I couldn't photograph at even being with Paul Newman. I met Mr. O'Donnell at Road America Raceway in the late 1980's and met Norah O'Donnell near the pit area. Mr. O'Donnell is someone I looked for every time I am there. Again, it's time to get to the Business of News. In 2005 I had my kids with me and a host of other kids Mugo Odigwe, Courtney Bryant, Gerron Jordan, Ashley Lincoln, Jasmin Huda, and Emily Pritchard etc,.. as we went to events to help them build their career. Poppy Harlow asked for a Letter of Recommendation for an Employment start. The letters of Recommendation are Barriers to Entry. Senator John Thune, Senator John Barrasso, Congressman Steny Hoyer and Congressman Darell Issa and a host of others helped with Letters of Recommendations for the kids to get started. The kids clerked and worked as Press Agents and Media Coordinators. There were some cases where "Family Barriers" were in place. I was a man that had not Graduated with my class in High School. I had to produce a diploma for some of my children to be well educated. I had to show proof I had been to college for other kids to move forward. Did you know that I had to read a teleprompter for a few children of mine to be in News Reporters or News Anchors. Steve Sevard formerly of Channel 4 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA said if you are able to read it well enough, I am able to get them their spots in the Family System as reporters. I do have some kids that are Klu Klux Klansmen's Grandchildren. My Children's Grandfathers were very helpful in getting things for their Grandchildren to report on. The Family I bought a television Stations call letters in Nashville, Tennessee, USA with a few friends in the Senate and Congress helping me understand the process and the importance. It was an Old Family Television Station Level.
I know it's crazy but, it was not all trouble without any fun. It was fun watching the kids learn how to be reporters. I think the cutest one were under the age of ten. You see them on television today. Courtney Reagan, Kayla Tausche, Emma Hogg, Brooke Grimsley, Gabriela Vidal and others. Audrey Dalhgren was one of the first kids I saw giving a color commentary call at a Dalhgren, Illinois, USA football game. Prince William gave out helicopter rides after the football game. Audrey had the late Stuart ("Stu") Scott of ESPN as a mentor. Stephen A. Smith of ESPN was in the kids' lives in the early years. It was during trips around the world with Brad Pitt (The Actor) and Matt Damon (The Actor) that I thought I will name the company "Highland Productions." I was in the Highlands of Scotland sitting on Hadrian's Wall. The kids all worked for Highland Productions 20 years ago. We uploaded photographs to www.Dreamstime.com and www.alamy.com on the plane flight between destinations. The family and friends were treated to the opportunity to photograph, report about, and make demos for job interviews and resumes. The money spent could never be accumulated by a young High school or College student. The Barrier would have been too great for the any kids that were not at least Upper Middle Class.
When given access to prime photograph areas at a venue. One would think all you have to do is stay in place and shoot photographs. Uncle Roulett's friends in the Carolina's put me in a turn and I was able to shoot Ol' Wendell Scott. I was in the turn two to turn three and I look through the view finder and I pan with the car and get a photograph. The guys laughed did you get to shoot Ol' Wendell? I always wanted to shoot Ol' Wendell. Wendell Scott was no is the First African American NASCAR Driver. This was 1988 or so. It took a full day of trying to get the photograph the Klan used. I was told it was my favor. They would talk about Ol' Wendell now. Mr. Scott was asked if he would driver in a group of cars to get the photograph. I was taken to him on Sunday, and we talked for the afternoon. "Mr. Wendell. Mr. Scott is it ok if I call you Mr. Wendell? Mr. Wendell is what I would call you at home." "Go ahead and feel at home. We don't get to do that often here. Though it was much worse when I was younger." I was able to talk about it with Uncle Roulett's friends. I didn't understand how to talk about and was told. "Here son let me show how to talk about it." "I got to race against Ol' Wendell at least ten times." I was not always kept out of the prime spots but sometimes I was asked to leave an area. "Go on Boy! Git! That's my spot to shoot from. Go on to the other side." "Now where's that scope." "Nobody can smell your breath in here." "Go ahead Boy and quit being a problem." A Barrier to Entry is having to many photographers in one shooting spot or too many photographs already on the market (stock Photograph Agency flooded). "This is our family spot. My Grand Daddy shot from here in forty-two." "It's illegal now." "Smart A__." I earned the family spot over the years. What I mean is the family has a place in news and film because I took the bumps and bruises. I was in film as a Stuntman with Bill Goldbergs (WWE Wrestler and Football Player) wife (Wanda Ferraton). I played characters alongside George Clooney. News is the source or medium I am using today. "One day son all this will be your Empire." Highland Productions LLC and Highland Productions News & Media are growing.
As Highland Productions LLC grows in stock photography image supplying its market share grows. Increasing exposure to the market increases marketability and market share visibility. As visibility increases so does reputation and notoriety which increase credibility as a stock photography and editorial provider. Because of the internet and cable television and population density coupled with innovative technology the equilibrium of the industry is a changing factor improving the longevity of opportunity for Highland Productions News & Media. No one Photographer, Reporter or Network has an Absolute Advantage in an open and fair market. Once the Barriers to Entry have been met and conquered Competition as a Dynamic Process is realized. Then there is nothing more to do than supply the product for mass consumption. The longevity of the Company and Network must be paired with professionalism, hard work, and enthusiasm. Success is achieved with proficient capital management once Barriers to Entry are passed through.
Absolute Advantage - A situation in which a nation, as the result of its previous experience and /or natural endowments, can produce more of a good (with the same amount of resource) than another nation. 10th Edition Microeconomics Private & Public Choice -Thomson - SOUTH-WESTERN 2003
Barriers to Entry - Obstacle that limit the freedom of potential rivals to enter and compete in an industry or market. 10th Edition Microeconomics Private & Public Choice - Thomson - SOUTH-WESTERN 2003
Competition as a Dynamic Process - A term that denotes rivalry or competitiveness between or among parties (for example, producers or input suppliers), each of which seeks to deliver a better deal to buyer when quality, price, and product information are all considered. Competition implies a lack of collection among sellers. 10th Edition Microeconomics Private & Public Choice - Thomson - SOUTH-WESTERN 2003
Equilibrium - A state of balance between conflicting forcing, such as supply and demand. 10th Edition Microeconomics Private & Public Choice - Thomson -SOUTH-WESTERN 2003
By Darren Dwayne Frazier
Photograph by Highland Productions LLC