Meet April Onstad

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to April Onstad. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

April, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

I look at creativity as a flowing river that can easily become slowed down if we do not tend to it. Rocks can divert the stream just as people’s opinions can divert us. The environment we are in can dry us out or it can aid to our strength. The moment you feel a block of any kind, it is imperative to your journey that you learn from it, remove or accept it. Doing so keeps the path of creativity alive.

As a creative, I have had all kinds of obstacles come my way. A brain tumor that required five brain surgeries followed by a mountain of health issues post resection. All of my relationships were so challenged by my health issues. As I walk through each of these trials I continue to learn that my personal key to wellbeing is letting all of my emotions out through my art. I noticed early on that the moment I picked up a camera, all of my chronic pain was absent from my body. I became hyper aware of how my strength and health was effected by environments and relationships. My pain was so prevalent when I was not on the right path, or surrounded with the right people. As I made the changes I needed to make my artistic world opened up in a way I never could of dreamed of on my own.

I was born with an inherent love for photography and music. I worked for The Musicland Group as soon as I was old enough to do so. My father was a huge part of that company so he was really able to mentor me as I grew in my knowledge of marketing music. I am fortunate to have parents who always supported my interests. I always had a camera in my hands and a concert ticket in my pocket. Having people who believe in you and cheer you on as you grow in your field is such a thing to be celebrated as it helps to keep you focused on the path. Keeping good boundaries with the people you do or do not let into your world is essential for growth. Doubt is an easy thing to come in and block the flow of creativity, and more often times then not, doubt arrives at your doorstep in the hands of another person.

Another key to keeping my creativity alive was obtaining all of the knowledge I could about the field I was interested in. Countless hours of classes and mentoring by people who inspire me. I was and continue to be so blown away by the artists who have entered my world, just by chance. Creatives inspire, and the more I am able to surround myself with them, the more I find new connections that lead me to set my goals to new heights.

My personal belief to keeping creativity alive is being aware of all that surrounds you, being humble and thankful, and willing to evolve. That often requires hard changes, but once those changes are made, your river never dries out.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My journey to where I am today has been an arduous climb to reach my goals. I really enjoy encouraging others to find their passion and go through every life lesson it takes to achieve them. At any age your dreams can come true if you find belief in yourself.

My upbringing was definitely a unique one. As my father climbed to corporate ladder at The Musicland Group, It led my family to move all over America and then eventually to the UK. The passions of mine were photography, music and attending every concert I could go to. Being in England was so magical for me because my dad would come home and tell stories of his dinner with Paul McCartney, or his trip to Peter Gabriel’s personal studio. Our family would host these amazing parties where employees, who were also our dear friends would come over and mingle with some of the artists. A jam session would always break out in the guitar room. At times, I would jump in with a song, should the courage arise. At one of these parties I met photographer Kieron “Spud” Murphy, one of my fathers dear friends. He was the kindest person, he told me of his story when he got the call to head to John Lennon’s estate in Ascot to photograph the Imagine sessions in the studio. That vision danced in my head as I paved my path. Dreaming that one day I could photograph music history in the making. He offered to photograph me at a studio in London and it completely changed my life. He taught me how to make the person in front of your lens feel comfortable and at ease. In England, I took every photography class I could get my hands on while I began working my way up the ladder for The MusicLand Group as well.

My life was side lined in 2010 with the diagnosis of a very large benign brain tumor. After I awoke from the surgery to remove it, I was deaf in one year, I was paralyzed on the right side of my face, walking was a dizzy haze that led to falling. There was no prognosis offered to what my future would look like. We were living in America again, I had the best doctors. I could not give up my fight to reclaim my life. Even if it would look completely different than before. By 2014 I was back to photography again, despite what all the doctors had believed about my condition. I was so fortunate to be able to do a little bit if part time work for a record label here in Minnesota, called New Folk Records. The moment I began working for the artists is the moment confidence came back to me post tumor. I developed relationships with so many amazing artists, many of whom have hired me to help them with different facets of promotion through social media. With the ability to use my photography as means of promoting music is so very special to me. This past year some of the artists I have worked with are, PK Mayo, Mick Sterling, Smell My Pillow, Doyle Dykes, Mike Huckabee, Willie West, Nolen Sellwood, New Primitives, Vince Martell ( Vanilla Fudge) and Pam Linton. Pinching myself to make sure I am awake from this beautiful dream as my artwork is being used for cover art or being published in the newspapers, It is way beyond anything I could of ever dreamed of for myself.

What is most exciting about what I do is just playing a small part in helping music reach new audiences. Being in a studio and capturing the musicians lay down their talents for their new recordings feels as though capturing history in the making. You never know how one song can change a persons life.

Sharing my story to encourage others not to give up on their dreams is huge for me. I want people to know that no matter what their age, circumstances, diagnosis’ and any other challenges life throws your way, your dreams are achievable if you believe in yourself and are willing to put in the work to get there.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Qualities that I believe have impacted my journey begins with the ability to listen. It is vital to any working relationship. I find that people just listen at times long enough to come up with their response rather than absorbing what the person in front of you is sharing. Making certain that you grasp onto every one of your clients needs or goals and taking them in with compassion has been instrumental in my professional growth. Listening with empathy and accountability is a quality that is rare, and that leads people to work with you. I know that if you are unwilling to listen to the areas where you may need learn or be corrected then no one will want to work with you. People leave when those who are in charge of a project or a team do not listen. Humility goes a very long way in any field.

In the art world, originality is a necessity. We are in a time full of people following trends, the thing that makes you stand out is the ability to be your authentic self. It is being an original creative that enables you to stand out from the crowd. Do the things that might make you feel uncomfortable at first, Push the bar past trends and help people see things through a new lens. Being authentic and original opens doors for you, it draws people in because of it’s rarity.

Lastly, I would say that any area of knowledge that might help you reach your goals, do not be hesitant to take a class, ask a mentor to help you, take a job that might give you more knowledge in your field. I see so many people just pick up a camera, charge a minor fortune and they have never taken a class or a job in that field. Experience is always helpful, but learning from others is priceless. It might not be your end goal, but it will help you get there. I worked for photography studios and in record stores for many years before I went at it alone. I learned valuable skills in each position. If ever a person in leadership was inspiring, or people avoided them, I took away what qualities and traits make a successful relationship. In saying that, your difficult relationships may be the ones that bring you the most knowledge of how to handle yourself professionally.

If you are early in journey, my greatest piece of advice is to keep on learning and evolving in what you do. Not being afraid of the challenge of change, because change often creates new opportunities.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

I always face the challenge of my health. The word’s “air to the brain, never the same” ring in my ears as I feel like it is a up hill battle at most times. After the discovery of the brain tumor, I was diagnosed with a laundry list of other ailments and auto immune disease. With the labels of diseases and illnesses attached to me, it has become a walk by faith. Just the very thought of another doctors visit or procedure can try to shake me to my core. Health battles strain and test everything around you. Relationships , finances, quality of life.

Over the years I have learned to be fine tuned to my body and the signals it gives me when something is off, listening to that and being confirmed in that time after time has given me the courage to face those doctors, bounce back from the next operation that is going to produce more than just another scar tattooed on me to tell a story. Strength has been found for me in being able to tell people that I might understand in some way what they are facing has sparked so much hope around me. So often people battle things in silence because they do not even know where to begin with their emotions. I want to always be a safe place for people to be vulnerable with me. I have also found peace in that and closer connections with my clients. many of whom are now my friends.

Sometimes our biggest obstacle’s are the training field for the next big thing in our life. You can become stuck by a diagnosis, a loss, a tragedy. All of which I have faced. You can choose whether or not that is going, to propel you forward or hold you back. It is okay to take time, daily, to mourn the losses and wonder the what if’s, but it is the opposite of health to let those things choke out our life. For me, the greatest way of honoring those that I have lost and the abilities I used to have, is to continue on living the way it would make them proud. Accomplishing new things, Learning and growing takes the mourning of the old me away.

The biggest key to resolving an obstacle of any kind is to self love. Focus on your needs to get through it because the voices of others can tell you all day long how to get to where you need to be going, but it is when you listen to your voice that you find your path. If I had listened to my doctors, I would not be here today, If I had listened to the naysayers, I never would of stepped out into the things I am accomplishing today. I encourage you to be bold and brave because it leads to the most beautiful of journeys.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lightinthevalleyphotography.com
• Instagram: @aprilonstad
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lightinthevalleyphotographymn/

Image Credits

All image credits, April Onstad