We were lucky to catch up with Asia Hamilton recently and have shared our conversation below.
Asia, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I get my confidence from believing in myself—but that wasn’t always the case. I always knew I had a gift for photography; it came naturally to me. However, my teachers were harsh, doing their best to criticize that confidence out of me. It took countless accomplishments and the appreciation of others for my work to realize just how skilled I am. At the very least, I learned the importance of trusting my own abilities. And celebrating me.
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 a portrait and environmental photographer. I love this work because it allows me to witness the beauty of God’s creations. My lens serves as a source of inspiration, peace, and mindfulness—it is my therapy. The imagery I capture conveys that energy to the viewer.
I got into curating and owning my own art gallery because I saw a need for emerging BIPOC artists to have a safe, professional space to exhibit their work. When I was starting out, I struggled to get my work into galleries, and I didn’t want others to face the same obstacles. That vision led to Norwest Gallery of Art—a space that has become a sacred and inspiring place for artists to launch their careers.
Now, as I pass this legacy on to the next generation, I am returning to my first love: photography. I look forward to exhibiting my own work and continuing to capture life’s beauty, meaning, and moments.
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?
Resilience, vision, and community-building have been the foundation of my journey as an artist and curator. Facing rejection and criticism early in my career, I refused to let setbacks define me and instead used them as motivation to create opportunities for others. As long as you have these, you don’t need money to do what you love.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am looking for like-minded people to partner with. I’ve come this far on my own, but to expand and grow my business and art practice, I need to collaborate with individuals who bring valuable skills and passion. With the right partners, I can take things to the next level—bigger spaces, larger events, greater impact, major partnerships, and increased profitability.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Norwestgallery.com
- Instagram: @norwestgallery @photo.sensei
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asiahamilton?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Image Credits
Photo of Asia Hamilton by: Robyn Weems
All other photos shot by Asia Hamilton
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
