Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cavaughn Edwards. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Cavaughn, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
The resilience I now have comes from these two areas; an innate drive and desire to take on any obstacle, and secondly, from the examples I see from where I grew up.
My innate drive is connected to the energy and passion I bring to whatever I set out to achieve, which pushes me to go for it. I have noticed that for as long as I can remember, whether it was playing sports, studying till I got it, starting and restarting my architectural projects and now photography. It is like I have a never-quitting mentality until I reach the end goal of what I am doing.
I grew up in the rural area of Jamaica, in the parish of Manchester, by my grandmother (Lucille Dwyer). She taught me, my cousins and everyone she touched to carry that fighting spirit as a resolve in life. I remember her prayers of success for her children, grandchildren and others, which remains a cue for me. To always go forward amidst difficulties or whatever life throws at me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I have covered grounds in Teaching, leading, administrating and project management so far, and now I am fully submerged in the content creation (photography, videography) industry locally.
I am most excited about the growth and direction that my creative thrust is on. As to its starting, I always had an interest and dabbled in some form of creating. Be it graphics, recording, or drawing, it was not until COVID hit that this passion emerged. Firstly, when COVID-19 came, I was an active classroom teacher, and everything went online. Also, with my computer skills and being versed in IT, I had to be instrumental in for school and church.
At that very moment, I remember asked to help in pre-recording and editing church sessions and other short-form content for school. At that time, I like to say, “COVID-19 presented an opportunity for me”. Additionally, Shanice Ebanks of (FOXXC Studios), a photographer and a friend, played an indirect, sometimes direct, but overall instrumental role in me thrusting into this passion of capturing photos.
After that time, I had loaned a camera and started taking pictures of everything from flowers to animals and to people. I then fell in love with the art form and grew from there. I branded myself by taking the first initials of my first, middle and last name and combining them to get ACE. My cousin, a photographer with the name MPixel, inspired me to add Pixel to the name, hence ACEPIXEL.
Having grown much since the start, I developed an undying love for live concert/event photography, of which I thrive the most. My creative direction and look came out of figuring out how to tell a story through pictures.
Currently, I have been developing a small studio space, which is a vision of mine for 2024, to complete and start doing bookings, podcasting and training there. This process has started, and the aim is to hit the ground running and be public by March 2024.
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?
- One such is to create from yourself first. The idea of being creative flows from a deep place within the individual, and to tap into that is necessary. While we want our creation to inspire others, create with self as the clause matters most, and then the other things will flow or fall in place.
- Self-development, maturity in character and good morals go a long way. Beyond what my creative expression can gain, that matters most. And so, I have learnt to ensure that the quality of conduct and respect shown to my clients comes first. I have grown into that, which has helped to keep me focused, to know that business is business and caring for the individuals I’m working with is the foremost priority.
- Finding my look and mastering the skill of replicating it without depending on my presets, having a good work ethic and clear vision of shot concepts, especially at live events.
My advice would be to pay attention to yourself; put your character formation first as it will be the engine behind how you properly deal with and relate with people who eventually will become your clients and even after. Dig in on the specific thing you love to do even without instant or ready rewards, and do it till you master it. Don’t listen to the voice of pessimism in your head, but believe you can and move with that belief.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
Most of my readings fall in the theological sphere, and this has been a significant and instrumental book in my personal development and formation.
A most pronounced takeaway from it is where it says, And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. That, plus more, has been a driving force behind my creative expression and personal development. To know that I am doing things purposefully and meaningfully.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://acepxl.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ace_pxl?utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGiMtsEzpTq50g5-nUyjSg
