We were lucky to catch up with Brianna Lopez recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Brianna, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
My optimism comes from my love for the outdoors and my ability to not allow things to fester for too long in my personal life. I travel, I care about the world, people and how things feel. Perfection is not the goal, but being able to find my way through challenges really helps me maintain my grounded-ness which is not always consistent. My optimism also comes from the fact that I find so much beauty in the world especially in the small nuances of life that maybe go unnoticed. I’ve also chosen a path that at times is difficult, but gives me the ability to have the freedom to exist and grow at my own pace which I know a lot of people don’t have the ability to.
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?
I am a visual creator with a focus on environmental photography, filmmaking and solo exploration. What is the most exciting part of what I do is the ability to exist in a way that feels right to me while at the same time creating art, exploring the world, meeting amazing humans, ascending, and sharing that with the youth so that they can have somewhat of a blueprint which I did not have. Trying to fit these experiences into words and titles can be difficult because Im aware we are not limited to words.
My brand I Belong Nowhere was started in 2017 which focuses on merging photography, the outdoors and environmental psychology. I host monthly hike meet ups in Los Angeles, and teach kids by hosting workshops related around photography and the outdoors. I have taught workshops a Canon Hollywood & Burbank, an advanced photography class at Venice Arts, lead expeditions for National Geographic High School expeditions, mentored students at Las Fotos Project, taught film and photography for Putney Student Travel and so much more.
Currently I offer services in the realm of photography and video production, solo travel consulting and workshop instruction, for now.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities that have been most impactful on my journey are:
1. Forward motion:
My ability to just keep it moving is paramount because that’s all I really all I have at times, even if those times consist of days, weeks without at attempt at something.
2. Open
My ability to be open and curious is something I cherish more than I even know. My childlike curiosity and natural ability to be open to everything has created profound opportunity but also deep life lessons. Being open is a trait I don’t think many people possess, but for me it is a necessity because of the way I function and show up in the world. Being open is all I really have especially when alone in a foreign country navigating strictly from intuition. This allows me direct access to source.
3. Save money
I know we as artists can focus a lot of our attention on the art itself, but the concept of money, or more practical things seem to be less important. But in 2017 I told my boss, who is a Real Estate Investment Advisor, that I wanted to invest in real estate. She asked me “do you save money” and I responded with a no, which was the truth. She responded with something along the lines of “start there.” Since then I have created an incredible habit of saving money which has been a life saver throughout the years.
The advice I would give people is that there are no rules and there is nothing you can possibly do to change what is meant for you. Advice is pointless if the person on the receiving end is not prepared to receive it. Its similar to the influx of podcasts and similar platforms, that make sharing an opinion almost as valuable as the act itself which I think is harmful for younger generations given that they are being raised with this level of technology and social media and almost completely forgetting that no matter what, actual ground work and combing through life is literally all we have and the only way out.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
I think the most impactful thing my parents have ever done for me is teach me how to take care of myself and my home. That to me has created such an impact on how I function on a daily basis from cleanliness to being able to cook and really take care of myself. I am not claiming perfection by far, but creating a stable home environment for myself has helped me win half the battle. Everyday skills are so overlooked and deemed as not important in this new, let’s all be cool, celebrity obsessed society. Taking the time to make my living environment healthy and safe for myself is on the same level as working hard towards my career goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brilopez.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brirlopez/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianna-lopez-b38b0799/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd-wWzj9g3Pyxmz7X_VXwGQ
Image Credits
©Brianna Lopez ©Jamarro Mercer
