We were lucky to catch up with James “Chapo” Thompson recently and have shared our conversation below.
James “Chapo”, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
I think the most important way I keep my creativity alive is how I surround myself with like minded individuals. Being a photographer there are so many ways to experience creativity block or burnout and when the people around you motivate you to do different things or practice different processes it pushes me. Also taking creative risks helps keep things interesting by challenging your abilities to quickly adapt and overcome any situation.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am overall, a director of photography. I take images ranging from individuals, to products, architecture, and even nature. I started my journey at the end of what seems 2018 and truly figured that I found my eternal passion in the following year of 2019. Hailing from Metro Detroit I have heavily been influenced by some of the most talented artists, musicians, photographers, directors and models. Even everyday citizens of the city I claim constantly remind me how open minded we need to be as people, and publishers of art and media in todays world. I have always aimed to project the images I take in their most natural light and habitats along with the help of peers to truly refine what that means. I focus and always have focused majority on live photography, from events to performances to celebrations of a wide and ever-changing variety. It has always been a true love to be able to capture moments most can only feel in real time, and try to display them for all sorts of people to see. The past year I have taken a much needed step away from the creative world to do some healing, both mentally and physically. Breaking my ankle in March of last year has had a prolonged effect on how I aim to, no pun intended, step back out into the world I ever so crave to create in. With that being said, I have a short recap I am working on editing together about a recent trip to the lovely city of Toronto and why I was there in the first place. Along with more live shows, video productions, and even the release of my website I aim to release as a place for work to be displayed and showcasing all of the people who have helped me get as far as I have is my most exciting venture I am currently in the process of figuring out. Stay tuned !
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The 3 most important areas I can immediately recognize are being malleable, open to learning new things, and most importantly being your best true self. Not anyone is prepared for everything life throws at you and it is the same thing for being a creative. Some situations are too good to be true, others are small opportunities turned to genuine connections and building blocks of your craft. Take every situation as an opportunity to learn and grow even if it doesn’t initially show itself as that. Same thing with being flexible, be open to listening to fresh and challenging opinions. NO ONE makes it to a place of success without help from others in an array of ways. Be willing to accept new information and incorporate it into your way of doing things. Lastly, being authentic is something our society struggles with on a daily basis. Being yourself is so much more impressionable than putting up a façade to get good with certain people or business opportunities. My best advice for those who are starting to dive into visual art, or creating art in general is taking the time to be active in your community in the sense of who is doing what. Put yourself into places you do not normally see yourself as these uncomfortable situations and different faces can create an entirely new energy into whatever it is you are working on.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
The hardest thing I have overcame, or am working to overcome is balance. To thrive in anyway balance is key to life and passions. Being able to separate work, from family, from passion, to pastime is something I don’t usually attribute to the great creatives I surround myself with, but it is very present. We all have higher responsibilities to something besides what we “want” to do and the great question is how do we find that balance? I have just allocated more time when I used to be Mr. Last Minute for everything. Allowing to distinctly set the boundary and dedicate your time is a valuable asset.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/damnchapo
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/damnchapo
- Other: www.flickr.com/damnchapo
Image Credits
thumbnail photo (@drako.shots) every other photo is my own (@damnchapo)
