We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ely Honkpo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ely, 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 got my resilience from having to be my own cheerleader in a game that I knew nothing about nor did anyone around me think it was practical to participate in. Being artist is path woven through uncertainty when trying to live off of your passion. I wasn’t around people that could show how to do what I do successfully or be sustainable at the least. “If I don’t believe in myself from the start then there was no point in starting” is my mentality. Since I wasn’t in it for the money or the recognition but for the expression in this world, that won’t fly on it’s own but it’s what got me this far.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My favorite part about being a fashion photographer is working with individuals who are passionate in their own field of art. I love to interact with people and photography is a way to see a glimpse into someone’s perspective, spirit, personality, innermost and outward appearance from different point of views all in one motion. Something about that is fascinating to me, knowing how to capture a person and their emotions or expressions is something I genuinely find interesting and love to do.
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?
The first skill was not letting what others would call a disadvantage to dictate what you can or cannot do. Understanding that your mind is the most valuable tool and everything else nothing but an extension of what you can imagine.
The second skill was understanding that just because the people that you’re around don’t see your worth doesn’t mean you’re worth any less than what you perceive yourself to be. You have to see it for yourself in order for anyone to take you seriously.
The third skill is to never think that you aren’t a student. No matter how knowledgeable or skilled you get at something there’s more to learn and more to be taught. Once you believe you know it all you’ll eliminate any room left to grow from that point on. When you make it, keep the same perspective you have while you’re hustling to get there.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
God had been the most helpful above all else when it comes to walking this path of uncertainty as an artist. The only reason I haven’t given up is because my faith and relationship I have with God and myself has not allowed me to believe in anything different. Despite any situation I feel a sense of peace knowing that I’m experiencing and am exactly where I’m supposed to be.
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