Meet Kenneth Baldwin

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kenneth Baldwin . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kenneth below.

Kenneth , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I think my resilience derives from numerous sources rather than a singular motivation. My ability to overcome various obstacles isn’t something I was born with but developed through watching those close to me or experiencing life firsthand. But before I attest to a few examples, I believe that one’s mentality and desire to persevere begins within the childhood home. I’m thankful to have two wonderful parents whose mission was to instill principles of hard work, kindness, and excellence into their children to create prosperous individuals. And in doing so, it seems they were successful. The admiration I carry for them, alongside the memories of the sacrifices to propel my sister and me toward stable futures, are enough to give me courage for any endeavor.

Additionally, I realized that I had to develop an exoskeleton-like shell to shield myself from the world’s scrutiny, as people like me are subject to cruelty and void of opportunity on many of life’s paths. Being a gay, black male is not an easy existence to maintain, but knowing I’m not alone in this feeling lessens the weight it inherently brings. I guess I chose to fight against the tide of hatred, hypocrisy, and control that higher-ups exercise to silence the talented and bright. My achievements, such as graduating Summa Cum Laude from NC A&T, managing a photography business at 21 after such, and simply striving daily, prove my resilience. I say that proudly, especially with the state of our nation and the world and how it’s becoming increasingly challenging to pursue your dreams and simultaneously support yourself nowadays.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Hi, I’m Kenneth Baldwin, a 24-year-old alumnus of the illustrious North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, hailing from the vibrant city of Raleigh, North Carolina. These days, I live in the welcoming community of Greensboro, where I am venturing on an entrepreneurial journey as a freelance creative and portrait photographer.

I’ve always held a latent desire to immerse myself in the infinite world of creativity since my earliest memories. Even as a child, I found myself in awe of the ingenuity of others long before I fully grabbed the seed of my creative passion. Growing up in the technological age exposed me to a wealth of information that, over time, enabled my hunt for a life devoted to the art residing within each of us, waiting to be unleashed. In sharing my story, I hope to inspire others to embark on their creative journeys because exploring artistic depths unearths the richness of life’s tapestry.

One aspect I take immense pride in is my unwavering attention to detail, particularly during the editing process. In doing so, I weave my magic, transforming ordinary images into enchanting visual stories. Though this meticulous approach may occasionally extend the length of my work, I’ve come to embrace the surrender that’s an inherent part of being an artist. Through this surrender, I’ve discovered the true essence of my creativity, and this journey continually enriches my artistry.

However, what truly sets me apart is my approach to every photoshoot. It’s not just about clicking the camera shutter; it’s about capturing a moment in time and preserving it forever. My principle is to instill confidence in my subjects and make them the best version of themselves. Beyond delivering a stunning product, my ultimate goal is to create lasting memorabilia that encapsulates their confidence, essence, and unique story.

In my world, photography isn’t just a skill; it’s heartfelt passion, a dance of light and emotion, and a timeless festival of the human spirit. And it’s my unique perspective on the art that distinguishes my work from others.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

In an entrepreneurial and creative journey, there are many skills to acquire and bits of knowledge to familiarize oneself with. But everyone has a select few essentials to their business, highlighting their claims to success as they cling to such. For myself, those have been dedication to craft, personal development, and the service of others. My drive to succeed has propelled me to perform actions beneficial to the future I strive to attain; whether through the sacrifice of time, critical self-analysis, or helping improve another’s confidence, they all coincide to create the mind of Kenny. The impact of these three qualities has forever altered the progression of my story in ways both recognizable and unbeknownst to myself. I honestly don’t know where I’d be without them, nor would I be half as accomplished.

My advice for anyone beginning their pilgrimage to the land of creativity is to surrender oneself to the art and allow it to traverse your being. As a result, you will filter your motivations, activities, and goals through the said lens and drastically improve upon the person you aim to become. Aligning the most minute thoughts with your dreams is the ultimate submission and grants a person guidance from the beyond. I could go on forever regarding various essential skills in my field, but none serve a greater purpose than this trifecta.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

A book I’ve read that played an impactful role in my personal development is titled The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. In this literary masterpiece, the author introduces a code of conduct based on Toltec cultural teachings, an ancient Mesoamerican society in Mexico. I love it because it intends to help readers explore the ideas of freedom, happiness, and love. I believe all people should try reading this, as life often redirects us from our purposes; moreover, a second book called The Fifth Agreement by the same writer also exists as an extension of the lessons taught here.

Through the chapters, individuals learn to see themselves, their capabilities, and behavioral patterns; in return, they understand others and the world more. I look back and can’t settle upon one lesson that stood out more than the others. Admittedly, I did cling to the first rule of “Be impeccable with your word.” As many know or don’t, the tongue is a powerful manifesting tool and can bring about our words if the message is strong enough. By developing impeccability in speech, a person will catch themself upon muttering a word of black magic, therefore keeping their path to their dreams untainted by doubt.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

@dukedeuce
@_mindlessthoughts
@_pretty.lulkayyy
@stahr.boy
(All on Instagram)

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Where does your optimism come from?

Optimism is the invisible ingredient that powers so much of the incredible progress in society

Confidence
Stories of Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Learning from one another is what BoldJourney is all about. Below, we’ve shared stories and

Resilience
The Power of Persistence: Overcoming Haters and Doubters

Having hates is an inevitable part of any bold journey – everyone who has made